2022 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class retained its fantastic appearance from the previous year’s complete makeover. Despite the growing popularity of SUVs, the S-Class continued to stand out with its sleek design and long, elegant profile. The seventh-generation S-Class, code-named “W223,” remained Mercedes-Benz’s flagship sedan, available in S500 and S580 variants. The exterior featured a proud Mercedes-Benz grille and star hood ornament, while the interior boasted high-quality materials, a 12.8-inch touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received a mild makeover with subtle exterior updates, including a redesigned front fascia, bumper, and grille with more chrome. The Jetta’s design changes were minimal, maintaining its purposeful yet bland appearance. The interior updates included a new rhombus pattern for the standard cloth seats and contrast stitching for all upholstery types. The Jetta SEL featured a 10-inch Digital Cockpit Pro and an 8-inch touchscreen-navigation system, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class offered two engine options: a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid engine in the S500 and a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 in the S580. The S500’s engine, supplemented by the EQ Boost system, produced 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, with an additional 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque from the electric motor. The S580’s V8 engine also benefited from the EQ Boost system. Both models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Matic AWD. The S500 accelerated from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds, while the S580 achieved the same in 4.4 seconds. Fuel economy for the S500 was rated at 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/24 mpg combined, and the S580 at 16 mpg city/25 mpg highway/19 mpg combined.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta was powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 158 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. Transmission options included a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic. The Jetta’s fuel economy was impressive, with the manual transmission rated at 29 mpg city/43 mpg highway/34 mpg combined, and the automatic transmission rated at 31 mpg city/41 mpg highway/35 mpg combined for S and Sport models, and 29 mpg city/40 mpg highway/33 mpg combined for SE and SEL models. Despite its fuel efficiency, the Jetta’s powertrain had some drawbacks, including a touchy throttle and turbo lag.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class excelled as an executive sedan, offering a spacious and luxurious cabin. Second-row passengers enjoyed powered sun blinds and a Panorama Sunroof, while the 13.8-cubic-foot trunk provided ample storage. The cabin featured six USB-C ports and a 115-volt power supply. The driver and front passenger benefited from heated and ventilated active multicontour seats with massage and memory functions. The Luxury Line added a heated steering wheel, heated armrests, and rear-seat heating, while the Executive Line (exclusive to the S580) upgraded the rear seats and included a high-end rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, despite its compact size, provided ample passenger space for four adults and could accommodate five. The cabin was driver-centric, with buttons for climate control, audio, and seat controls conveniently located. Storage options included door pockets, a center console bin, and a sunglass holder. The center storage bin, though small, was functional. The Jetta’s interior was practical and comfortable, with a focus on usability and ergonomics.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was equipped with cutting-edge technology, including a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen and a 12.3-inch LED virtual instrument panel. The optional 3D instrument cluster added depth and visual interest, while the augmented video for navigation and available augmented reality head-up display enhanced the driving experience. The standard Burmester 3D Surround sound system provided high-fidelity audio, with an available 4D Surround system for an immersive sound experience. The S-Class also featured advanced powertrain and chassis technologies, such as the EQ Boost system and rear-axle steering.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received technology upgrades, including the Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster. The Jetta SEL featured a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro with customizable views and widgets. Standard infotainment included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with App-Connect, Bluetooth, and USB-C ports. The Jetta SEL’s 8-inch MIB3 system added navigation, wireless App-Connect, wireless device charging, and premium Beats Audio sound. However, the voice activation and navigation commands were not always intuitive, requiring manual input for accuracy.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was loaded with standard and available safety features, including Magic Vision Control, active distance assist Distronic adaptive cruise control, active steering assist, active brake assist, and Pre-Safe systems. The S-Class also offered car-to-x communication and executive-level safety upgrades for rear passengers, such as rear-passenger airbags and rear-seat belt bags.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta came standard with IQ.Drive, which included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward-collision warning with automatic braking and pedestrian recognition. The Driver Assistance package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. The Jetta SE and SEL trims included the full IQ.Drive safety suite. The 2021 Jetta received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and mostly “Good” grades from the IIHS, though its headlights received lower scores.