2022 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2022 Acura TLX

The 2022 Acura TLX had a wide and long stance, reminiscent of a luxury sedan from a larger class. It was notably wider than the BMW 3 Series, with a track width nearly three inches wider at the rear and almost two inches at the front. The TLX featured thin headlights, a five-sided grille, and a front bumper with V-shaped curves, giving it a substantial yet sleek appearance. The Type S variant added unique elements like Tiger Eye Pearl paint, Performance Red Pearl, and 20-inch Y-spoke gray wheels inspired by the Acura NSX. The interior, though snug, was impressively detailed with high-quality materials and a Scandinavian airport lounge vibe in upper trims.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta maintained its status as Volkswagen’s best-selling vehicle with subtle exterior updates. The front fascia, bumper, and grille received minor tweaks, including more chrome and redesigned inserts. The rear bumper and taillight housing also saw slight changes. New wheel designs and metallic colors like Kings Red, Oryx White, and Rising Blue were introduced. Inside, the Jetta featured new rhombus-patterned cloth seats and contrast stitching for a premium look. The cabin was driver-centric with easy-to-access controls and ample storage space, making it practical and comfortable for long drives.

The 2022 Acura TLX was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The SH-AWD system, available for an additional $2000, enhanced stability and handling precision by varying torque at the rear wheels. The Type S variant featured a 3.0-liter turbo V6 engine with 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, excelling on the track with its double-wishbone front suspension and adaptive dampers. Fuel economy for the Type S was 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the regular TLX with SH-AWD achieved 21/29/24 mpg.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta came with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Transmission options included a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic. The Jetta impressed with its fuel economy, achieving 29 mpg city, 43 mpg highway, and 34 mpg combined with the manual transmission. Automatic models varied slightly, with S and Sport trims rated at 31/41/35 mpg and SE and SEL trims at 29/40/33 mpg. Despite its fuel efficiency, the Jetta’s powertrain had a touchy throttle and turbo lag, making city driving less smooth.

Inside the 2022 Acura TLX, space was tight for four passengers, with decent headroom but limited legroom in the back. The front seats were comfortable with adjustable side bolsters and a low driving position. The touchpad interface for the infotainment system required acclimation, as it was not a traditional touchscreen. Trunk space was limited to 13.5 cubic feet, less than a Honda Civic, due to the double-wishbone suspension.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta offered ample passenger space for four adults, with comfortable seats and a driver-centric cabin. Ergonomics were well thought out, with buttons for climate control, audio, and seat controls easily accessible. Storage space was practical, with door pockets, a center console bin, and a sunglass holder. The center storage bin, though small, was functional, but the lack of a latch on the compartment cover was unusual.

The 2022 Acura TLX featured a simple and quick infotainment interface, though some typefaces were too small to read easily. The head-up display, available only with the Advance Package, allowed interaction with various functions from the steering wheel. The ELS Studio audio system with 17 speakers was included, along with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and heated front seats. The Technology Package linked climate control to navigation and included standard driver assistance features like AcuraWatch.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received a technology upgrade with the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster. S, Sport, and SE trims had an 8-inch display, while the SEL trim had a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro. The infotainment system varied by trim, with the SEL featuring the newer 8-inch MIB3 system with navigation, wireless App-Connect, and premium Beats Audio sound. Voice activation and navigation commands were less intuitive, often requiring manual input for accuracy.

The 2022 Acura TLX was rated a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS and received a five-star overall score from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included knee airbags, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta came standard with IQ.Drive, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward-collision warning with automatic braking. The Driver Assistance package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. The 2021 Jetta received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and mostly “Good” grades from the IIHS, though it had lower scores for headlights and LATCH use.