2022 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2023 BMW 7 Series

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta maintained its status as a steadfast performer in the automaker's lineup, even amidst a challenging sales environment. Despite Volkswagen's overall sales decline due to various global disruptions, the Jetta remained a stronghold, accounting for a significant portion of the brand's U.S. sales. The 2022 model received subtle exterior updates, including a refreshed front fascia with more chrome accents and redesigned grille inserts. The interior saw enhancements with new seat patterns and contrast stitching, while the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster became standard across all trims. The Jetta's design changes were understated, yet they contributed to a slightly more aggressive profile, complemented by new wheel designs and paint colors.

In contrast, the 2023 BMW 7 Series introduced a bold new design language, particularly evident in its front-end styling with an oversized grille and split lighting elements. The profile retained the classic 7 Series silhouette, while the rear end featured distinctive horizontal taillights. Inside, the 7 Series boasted a modern and minimalistic interior with high-quality materials and a futuristic curved glass housing for the instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The rear seats offered exceptional comfort, especially with the optional Rear Executive Lounge Seating package, which included a reclining seat and a theater screen. The 7 Series' interior design and features underscored its premium luxury status, providing a sophisticated and comfortable environment for passengers.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta was powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This engine replaced the previous 1.4-liter turbo-four, offering a slight increase in horsepower. The Jetta's transmission options included a standard six-speed manual or an optional eight-speed automatic. The Jetta excelled in fuel efficiency, with EPA estimates of up to 43 mpg on the highway for the manual version. During a long road trip, the Jetta achieved an impressive 46.9 highway mpg, showcasing its economical nature. However, the Jetta's powertrain had its drawbacks, with a touchy throttle and some turbo lag. The driving experience was generally smooth on the highway, but in stop-and-go traffic, it could feel jumpy.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series offered two powertrain options. The base 740i featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing 375 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. The 760i xDrive upgraded to a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, delivering 536 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. The V8-powered 760i xDrive provided quick and fluid acceleration, reaching 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds. The 7 Series' handling was sportier than its competitors, offering an engaging driving experience. The ride quality was slightly stiffer, but not harsh, and the Sport mode enhanced cornering and steering responsiveness. Overall, the 7 Series delivered a powerful and dynamic performance, appealing to drivers who value both performance and comfort.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, despite its compact size, offered ample passenger space for four adults, with the option to accommodate a fifth passenger. The cabin was driver-centric, with well-placed controls for climate, audio, and seat functions. Storage options included door pockets, a center console bin, and a sunglass holder. However, the center storage bin lacked a latch, which was an unusual omission. The Jetta's interior was practical and functional, providing a comfortable environment for daily commuting.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series featured power-operated doors, which could be cumbersome to use, especially if sensors detected nearby obstacles. Inside, the front seats were generously padded and offered numerous power adjustments for optimal comfort. The rear seats were spacious, with the lounge seating option providing a reclining seat and massage functions. A standout feature was the 31.3-inch rear entertainment screen, although its central placement could cause neck strain. The trunk offered 13.7 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly larger than some competitors. Interior storage was adequate, with a wireless charging pad, cupholders, and small door pockets. The 7 Series' interior was luxurious and well-appointed, catering to passengers' comfort and convenience.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received a technology upgrade with the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster standard across all trims. The Jetta SEL featured the Digital Cockpit Pro with a 10.25-inch display and additional widgets. The infotainment system included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with App-Connect for smartphone integration. The Jetta SEL upgraded to an 8-inch MIB3 system with navigation, wireless charging, and enhanced voice recognition. However, the voice activation and navigation commands were not always intuitive, leading to some frustration. The touchscreen was responsive, providing a user-friendly interface for accessing various features.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series came equipped with iDrive 8, BMW's latest infotainment system. It could be operated via touchscreen, central dial, or voice commands. While basic functions were easy to use, navigating deeper menus could be complex. Voice controls offered an alternative, allowing drivers to execute commands without navigating through menus. The standard 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System provided excellent audio quality. However, the optional theater screen had inconsistent touchscreen inputs, making it less user-friendly. Overall, the iDrive 8 system was feature-rich but could be overwhelming for some users.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta came standard with IQ.Drive, Volkswagen's suite of driver-assistance technologies. The Jetta S and Sport included 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 2022 Jetta had not yet received crash safety ratings, but the 2021 model received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and mostly "Good" grades from the IIHS. However, the Jetta's headlights received lower scores in IIHS tests.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, which is common for luxury vehicles. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and more. The optional Driving Assistance Professional package added a hands-free automated driving system for highways. The adaptive cruise control was smooth, and the highway driving assistant reduced driver fatigue on long trips. BMW planned to introduce a level 3 automated driving system in some markets, but it was not yet available in the U.S.