2022 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2021 Volkswagen Jetta

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta presented a slightly longer and wider profile than its predecessor, maintaining the same height but adding a more upscale presence with its angular grille inspired by the VW Arteon sport sedan. This design was a departure from the previous generation's simpler appearance, aiming to bring a more premium aura to the compact sedan. Inside, the cabin mirrored the exterior's angular design, offering a spacious and functional environment with comfortable seating, even on long drives. The base Comfortline trim was well-equipped, featuring 16-inch alloy wheels, LED lights, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received subtle exterior updates, including a redesigned front fascia with more chrome and new wheel designs. The changes were understated, requiring a keen eye to notice. The interior saw minor but appealing updates, such as a new rhombus pattern on cloth seats and contrast stitching across all upholstery types. The cabin remained driver-centric, with buttons for essential controls easily accessible. The 2022 model also introduced new metallic colours and a more aggressive profile, thanks to its redesigned lower front fascia and 17-inch alloy wheels.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta was powered by a 1.4-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine, producing 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Despite having slightly less horsepower than its predecessor, the engine felt more responsive, aided by an 8-speed automatic transmission that replaced the previous six-speed. This setup allowed the Jetta to handle both city and highway driving with ease, offering smooth acceleration and precise steering. The manual transmission option was available on Comfortline and Highline trims, with fuel consumption rated at 6.9 L/100 km combined for the manual and 7.1 L/100 km for the automatic.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta upgraded to a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, increasing horsepower to 158 while maintaining the same torque. The transmission options remained the same, with a 6-speed manual and an 8-speed automatic. The new engine provided a slight boost in performance, particularly in city driving, and impressive fuel economy, averaging 5.0 L/100 km on the highway during a long road trip. However, the powertrain exhibited some turbo lag and surge, and the driving dynamics were less engaging, with touchy throttle response and detached steering feedback.

The 2021 Jetta offered comfortable front seats suitable for long trips, with adequate rear-seat legroom and headroom. The trunk space was 399 litres, average for its class. The interior layout prioritized functionality, with a user-friendly touchscreen positioned above the climate vents and a larger centre tray for storage. The combination of touchscreen functions with real buttons and dials enhanced practicality.

The 2022 Jetta maintained ample passenger space for four adults, with the option to accommodate five. The cabin was ergonomically designed, with buttons for essential controls conveniently located. Storage options included door pockets, a centre console bin, and a sunglass holder. The centre storage bin lacked a latch, which was unusual but not problematic. Overall, the interior was functional and driver-focused.

The 2021 Jetta came standard with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display featuring Volkswagen’s Car-Net App-Connect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Execline trim offered Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a customizable digital instrument panel that could display navigation and other driver information.

In 2022, all Jetta models received the Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster, with Comfortline and Highline trims featuring an 8-inch infotainment system. The Highline trim included the Digital Cockpit Pro with a 10.25-inch display and additional widgets. The infotainment system supported Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and MirrorLink integration, with Bluetooth and USB-C ports standard across the lineup. The Highline trim also offered premium Beats Audio sound and a remote start system.

The 2021 Jetta was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front and side airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Highline trim added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, while the Execline included advanced driver-assistance features like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. The Jetta received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA but fell short of a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS due to its headlights.

The 2022 Jetta introduced forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian recognition as standard in Canada. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available from the Comfortline trim, along with adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. The Jetta received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA but did not achieve a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS due to an Acceptable score in the side crash test and Marginal to Poor headlight ratings.