2019 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2020 Toyota Prius

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta presented a more upscale presence compared to its predecessor, thanks to its slightly longer and wider dimensions. The new angular grille, inspired by the VW Arteon sport sedan, added a dramatic flair to the Jetta's exterior. Inside, the cabin continued this angular design language, creating a spacious and attractive environment with a premium feel. The seats were notably comfortable, making long drives pleasant. The base S trim, which Volkswagen sent for review, came well-equipped with features like 16-inch alloy wheels, LED head- and taillights, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2020 Toyota Prius maintained its iconic jellybean-like shape, optimized for aerodynamics. Despite its hatchback design, Toyota added sedan-like visual cues to modernize its appearance. The Prius's cabin was futuristic, with centrally located instrumentation and gauges. The entry-level L Eco trim included 15-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Higher trims like the XLE and Limited added features such as synthetic leather upholstery, an 11.6-inch touchscreen, and adaptive headlights.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta featured a 1.4-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine, producing 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Despite having 3 fewer horsepower than the previous model, the engine felt more responsive, especially from a stop. The new 8-speed automatic transmission replaced the older 6-speed, enhancing both power delivery and efficiency. The Jetta's steering was well-weighted and precise, offering a blend of smooth and sporty handling. Both the manual and automatic transmissions returned an impressive 30 mpg city, 40 highway, and 34 combined.

The 2020 Toyota Prius combined a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, delivering a total of 121 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque. The Prius AWD-e variant added a second electric motor for the rear wheels, operating up to 43 mph. The Prius offered smooth acceleration and seamless transitions between electric and conventional power. It featured three drive modes: EV, Eco, and Power, each catering to different driving needs. The unique shifter design and Engine Braking mode added to its distinct driving experience. The Prius handled well for a hybrid, with a low center of gravity contributing to sharper handling and a smooth ride.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta's front seats were comfortable for long trips, and both front and rear legroom were adequate despite slight reductions. Trunk space decreased to 14.1 cubic feet from the previous 15.7 cubic feet but remained average for the class. The cabin layout was practical, with the touchscreen positioned above the climate vents and the shifter moved back for easier access. The blend of touchscreen functions with real buttons and dials emphasized practicality.

The 2020 Toyota Prius made excellent use of its space, with deep door pockets and a large tray area between the front seats. The front seats provided ample headroom and legroom, and the rear seats were spacious as well. The Prius offered 50.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 24.6 to 27.4 cubic feet with the seats up, depending on the model. This made the Prius one of the most versatile options among hybrid and electric vehicles, with its hatchback design facilitating easy loading of large items.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta came standard with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display featuring Volkswagen’s Car-Net App-Connect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims like the SEL and SEL Premium included Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a customizable 10.25-inch digital display that could project navigation and other information directly in front of the driver.

The 2020 Toyota Prius featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with a sensible menu layout, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, a WiFi hotspot, and three USB ports. The Limited trim upgraded to an 11.6-inch screen with a customizable layout, though it lacked Android Auto. The Prius also offered satellite radio, HD Radio, a head-up display, and a 10-speaker JBL premium audio system. The top-center instrument panel, a hallmark of Prius design, provided critical readouts and hybrid drivetrain status.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta included front and side airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. An automatic post-collision braking system was also standard. Driver-assist features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward-collision avoidance were standard on higher trims and optional on the base S. The SEL and SEL Premium trims added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams.

The 2020 Toyota Prius came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and active park assist. The Prius earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" from the IIHS, though it fell short of the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating.