2022 Hyundai Sonata vs 2022 Volkswagen Jetta

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata had evolved significantly from its early days when it closely resembled the Honda Accord. Over time, Hyundai infused the Sonata with its own unique flair, distinguishing it from its competitors. The seventh-generation Sonata, redesigned for the 2020 model year, featured a wide grille, rounded front fascia, and a sloped rear roofline, offering a distinctive look that divided opinions. Inside, the Sonata provided a functional and spacious cabin with seating for five, though the tan upholstery in the Limited trim was not to everyone's taste. The Sonata N Line added sporty touches, transforming its appearance with features like a body kit, gloss black accents, and dual exhaust outlets, while the interior boasted dark chrome trim and red stitching for added personality.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received a subtle makeover, with changes that were easy to miss at first glance. The exterior updates included a redesigned front fascia, bumper, and grille with more chrome accents, while the rear bumper and taillights also saw minor tweaks. The Jetta's design remained understated, akin to a black suitcase at baggage claim. Inside, the Jetta offered a driver-centric cabin with ergonomic controls and ample storage space. The interior updates included a new rhombus pattern on cloth seats and contrast stitching for a premium look. The Jetta Highline featured a two-tone leather interior option and a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel, enhancing comfort and style.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata offered a range of engine options, starting with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided a smooth and unassuming driving experience. The turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, available on the Sport and Luxury trims, delivered 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, offering a bit more pep. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the Sonata featured a drive mode selector for added versatility. The Sonata N Line, however, was the standout performer with its 290-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-litre engine, sport suspension, and tuned exhaust, delivering an exhilarating driving experience. All Sonatas were front-wheel drive, and the ride quality was smooth and quiet, making it a comfortable choice for long journeys.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta was equipped with a single engine option: a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This engine replaced the previous 1.4-litre turbo-four, offering a slight increase in horsepower. The Jetta came with a choice of a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the automatic being standard on the Highline trim. The Jetta's fuel economy was impressive, with estimates of 8.0 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 5.5 on the highway for the manual transmission. The Jetta's ride quality was comfortable, though the powertrain exhibited some turbo lag and surge, and the steering feedback was somewhat detached. The Jetta offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Custom drive modes, with Sport mode providing a slight improvement in responsiveness.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata boasted a spacious cabin with 2,956 litres of passenger space, classifying it as a "Full-size Car" by Natural Resources Canada. Front-seat headroom and legroom were among the best in the segment, while rear-seat space was adequate for two adults. The Sonata's 453-litre trunk was generous, accommodating a complete set of rolling luggage. The Remote Smart Parking Assist feature, available on the Ultimate grade, allowed the Sonata to park itself with the press of a button, impressing onlookers.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, despite its compact size, offered ample passenger space for four adults, with the option to accommodate a fifth. The cabin was driver-centric, with well-placed controls for climate, audio, and seat functions. 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. The Jetta's interior was practical and comfortable, with thoughtful ergonomics and usability.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata's infotainment features varied by trim level. Base SE models came with an 8-inch touchscreen, six speakers, and smartphone connectivity. Higher trims like the N Line and Ultimate Hybrid offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and wireless charging. The Bose audio system was particularly impressive, delivering excellent sound quality and value.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received technology upgrades, including the Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster. Comfortline and Highline models featured an 8-inch infotainment system with customizable views and widgets. The Jetta Highline offered the Digital Cockpit Pro with a 10.25-inch display and additional features like navigation integration. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with smartphone-like controls and connectivity options, including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision avoidance assist, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot collision-avoidance assist. The Sonata received top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, with five stars for overall crash protection and "Good" ratings in all crash tests. The Sonata's advanced driver assistance systems worked seamlessly, providing peace of mind without false alarms.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta offered standard forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian recognition. Additional safety features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were available on higher trims. The Jetta's Travel Assist and Emergency Assist systems provided driver assistance, though they required extra guidance on highway curves. The Jetta received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA but fell short of a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS due to an "Acceptable" score in the updated side crash test.