2022 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2022 Lexus ES

The 2022 Lexus ES, a staple in the Lexus lineup, had evolved over seven generations since its debut in 1990. Despite a decline in sales, it remained a popular choice among an older demographic. Lexus faced the challenge of attracting younger buyers without alienating its loyal customer base. The ES, built on the Global Architecture-K platform, offered a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout with an option for all-wheel drive. Its design featured elegant proportions, a sleek roofline, and the distinctive Lexus "spindle" grille. The interior, while nicely assembled, had an asymmetrical dashboard and sporty F Sport packaging that seemed slightly out of place.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received a mild makeover, including an engine update and subtle exterior styling tweaks. The changes were so subtle that they were easy to miss, akin to differentiating one black suitcase from another at baggage claim. The Jetta's design was purposeful yet unremarkable, with chrome accents on the grille and rear bumper. The interior updates included a new rhombus pattern on cloth seats and contrast stitching for a premium look. The Jetta Highline offered a two-tone leather interior option and a standard heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel. The 8-inch Digital Cockpit instrument cluster was standard across the lineup, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2022 Lexus ES offered three models with distinct powertrains. The ES 250 AWD featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 8.6 seconds. The ES 350, with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivered 307 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds. The ES 300h hybrid combined a 176-hp four-cylinder engine with a 39-hp electric motor for a net 215 hp, achieving 0-60 mph in 8.1 seconds. The ES 250 AWD was noted for its smooth handling but felt slow for a luxury sedan. The ES 350's V6 offered more engaging performance, while the ES 300h excelled in fuel economy.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta was powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 158 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. It offered a choice between a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive as standard. The Jetta's fuel economy was impressive, with the manual version rated at 8.0 L/100 km city and 5.5 highway. On a long road trip, the Jetta averaged 5.0 L/100 km on the highway. While the Jetta's powertrain was adequate for city commuting, it exhibited turbo lag and a touchy throttle. The driving modes offered some customization, but the overall dynamics were unremarkable.

The 2022 Lexus ES offered a generous 394 litres of cargo space, with a pass-through for long items and flat-folding rear seats for additional storage. Its lower centre of gravity and ground clearance contributed to better handling compared to SUVs. Inside, the ES featured heated, ventilated, and power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a moonroof. The interior had ample storage, including big bottle pockets and a spacious glove compartment. The dashboard layout was functional, with a prominent volume knob for the audio system.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, despite its compact size, provided ample passenger space for four adults. The cabin was driver-centric, with buttons for climate control, audio, and seat functions conveniently located. Storage options included door pockets, a centre console bin, and a sunglass holder. The centre storage bin lacked a latch, but it was still functional for keeping items out of sight. The Jetta's interior was designed for practicality and ease of use, with controls placed intuitively for the driver.

The 2022 Lexus ES came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 10-speaker Pioneer sound system. Upper trims offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Mark Levinson 17-speaker audio, and navigation. The ES featured a touchpad interface, which was an improvement over the previous setup but still challenging to use on rough roads. A 10-inch head-up display was available on upper trims, enhancing safety by displaying critical information in the driver's line of sight. The ES also offered a Panoramic View Monitor and Intuitive Parking Assist for added convenience.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta featured the Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster, with Comfortline and Highline models receiving an 8-inch infotainment system. The Jetta Highline offered a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro with customizable views and widgets. The infotainment system included App-Connect for Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and MirrorLink integration. The Jetta's technology package was user-friendly, with steering wheel-mounted controls for navigation and trip data. The system's design allowed for easy customization and access to essential functions.

The 2022 Lexus ES received top safety ratings, earning the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and a five-star rating from NHTSA. The Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 included a pre-collision system, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and Intelligent High Beam Control. The ES also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and 10 airbags for comprehensive safety coverage.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta offered forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian recognition as standard. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control were available from the Comfortline trim. The Jetta's Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, while Emergency Assist ensured driver attentiveness. The Jetta received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA but fell short of a Top Safety Pick from IIHS due to an Acceptable score in the side crash test.