2022 Volkswagen Jetta vs. 2022 Toyota Corolla Comparison

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta and the 2022 Toyota Corolla are two popular compact sedans that offer similar style and performance. Here’s how they compare.

2022 Volkswagen Jetta

2022 Volkswagen Jetta Starting Price: $20,195 | Price yours or View listings near you.

Above Average: New 1.5-liter base engine; updated exterior and interior; roomy; IQ.Drive safety suite available; sporty GLI model.

Below Average: No hybrid or all-wheel drive options.

Consensus: The 2022 Jetta offers a refreshed look and feel for VW’s popular sedan, and for this model year, it’s like the Jetta has gone to finishing school. 

2022 Toyota Corolla

2022 Toyota Corolla Starting Price: $20,075 | Price yours or View listings near you.

Above Average: Reputation for reliability; numerous safety features; optional hybrid; both sedan and hatchback body styles.

Below Average: No all-wheel-drive option; plain driving manners; ubiquitous.

Consensus: Reliable, safe, and offered as both a sedan and a hatchback, the 2022 Toyota Corolla is a rock-solid choice for a compact. In most trim levels, it’s not the most exciting thing to drive, however.

Jetta vs. Corolla: A Question of Priorities

Volkswagen Jetta

While we’ve only had the opportunity to drive a pre-production version of the 2022 Jetta, we found it to be more refined, better looking, and a bit more grown-up than it was in the past. The ride quality is solid, and at everyday speeds, the Jetta is responsive and comfortable on the road.

The new 158-horsepower 1.5-liter base engine is quick and offers ample torque at the low end. You can opt for an 8-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual should you want to row your own boat. The new powerplant is both more efficient and more powerful than the old 1.4-liter, boasting 43 mpg on the highway.

We really like the new DCC Adaptive Suspension that comes standard on the Jetta GLI (the sportier version). It helps adapt the GLI for varying road conditions and offers driver-selectable modes that range from comfortable to sporty.

Inside the Jetta accommodates up to five passengers in comfort. VW’s 8-inch digital gauge package has been made standard for 2022. If you want the large 10-inch digital gauges, they come on the Jetta GLE model, along with leather upholstery, wireless smartphone charging, and a BeatsAudio sound system. Other Jetta changes for 2022 include updated cloth seats and contrast stitching on all the armrests and the shifter. The new Jetta Sport trim also gets a black headliner.

If you want something a bit more edgy you can step up to the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI which is, in our opinion, sportier than an Audi A3 yet more affordable than the S3. It also gets a new steering wheel with touch controls plus perforated leather seating surfaces with a red underlay. The GLI continues with the 10-inch digital gauges, a 6-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and automatic climate control.

Toyota Corolla

It’s almost hard to imagine a world without the Toyota Corolla, which has been a worldwide best-seller through 12 generations and several decades. It has succeeded by being extremely reliable, spacious, and well-equipped at a reasonable price. It also offers variety, as the 2022 Corolla is also available as a hatchback and a hybrid.

Aside from the hybrid, it features two gas engines: a simple 1.8-liter 4-cylinder, and a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. The base engine gets the Corolla around, but that’s about it. In the upper-trim SE and XSE models, the 2.0-liter is paired with a sport suspension, making the Corolla considerably more lively, although no one would ever mistake it for a sports car. The SE actually has an optional 6-speed manual for more involved driving.

Inside, the sedan provides a respectable 34.8 inches of legroom in the back as well as 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space. The hatchback is down considerably on rear-seat space, with a mere 29.9 inches of rear legroom. The dash is tidy and clean, and the materials are perfectly pleasant. Cloth seats are standard, with simulated leather in the top XLE trim.

Standard features include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration as well as Amazon Alexa, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a 7-inch touchscreen. Safety features are excellent and include 10 airbags, forward-collision warning with automatic braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.

Similarities

Overall fuel economy, engine choices; base price.

2022 Volkswagen Jetta Advantages

Better highway fuel economy; more interior room and cargo space; more sporty version.

2022 Toyota Corolla Advantages

Available hatchback body style; optional hybrid; resale value.

Which One is Right for Me?

With a spacious cabin, more base power, and better driving dynamics, the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta remains true to its German roots.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla is a reliable and practical sedan or hatchback offering a couple of different engines including a hybrid.

Ready to buy a Volkswagen Jetta or Toyota Corolla? Shop for one on sale now near you.

Keyword: 2022 Volkswagen Jetta vs. 2022 Toyota Corolla Comparison