2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2021 Volkswagen Jetta
Overview | |
MSRP$54,250 | MSRP$18,995 |
Average price$76,426 | Average price$23,975 |
Listings30 | Listings280 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews8.3 out of 10 | Expert reviews8.0 out of 10 |
2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Reviews SummaryWhen money is but a mild concern, a brand-new Mercedes-Benz is a reasonable purchase. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the company's most practical and versatile car, as high-quality and necessary in a nice garage as a Kitchen-Aid mixer is in a baker's kitchen. It offers four body styles, four engines, and dozens of colour schemes. Fast or efficient? Loud or library quiet? Modest or rich as hell? The E-Class, the brand's midsize car, is all of those things, depending on which of the 13 models you order and how deep into the options list you dive. For 2021, the E-Class receives a mid-cycle update for the infotainment system, engines, and exterior styling. We tested the Mercedes-AMG E53 that features a mild-hybrid inline-6 powertrain. | |
2021 Volkswagen Jetta Reviews SummarySmall cars aren't asked to do much beyond the basics: provide efficient, reliable transportation at a manageable price. Plenty of models fit this form, and in some rare cases, they manage to do it while also being fun to drive, like the Mazda3. In other cases, the vehicle manages to feel more upscale than the competition, like the Honda Civic. But the Volkswagen Jetta's legacy has historically been defined by its ability to offer both an upscale interior and a rewarding driving experience. But then something happened with the Jetta. Starting with the 2011 model year, Volkswagen attempted to broaden the Jetta's appeal, and until 2018 we were left with a drab interior, an underpowered engine, and an uninspiring driving experience. VW’s hallmark was always that its cars felt a little special, so by adopting a homogenous look and feel, VW removed what made the Jetta unique and desirable to its fans. So Volkswagen had some work to do with the seventh-generation Jetta, which launched in 2019. Does this car move the Jetta name back toward driving refinement and upscale feel? Or does it continue to disappoint as just another bland entrant among small cars? | |
No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.0L 255 hp I4 | Engine1.4L 147 hp I4 |
Drive TrainRWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower255 hp @ 5800 rpm | Horsepower147 hp @ 5000 rpm |
MPG City22 | MPG City29 |
MPG Highway31 | MPG Highway39 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.0L 255 hp I4 | Engine Name1.4L 147 hp I4 |
Torque273 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm | Torque184 lb-ft @ 1400 rpm |
Horsepower255 hp @ 5800 rpm | Horsepower147 hp @ 5000 rpm |
DrivetrainRWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City22 | MPG City29 |
MPG Highway31 | MPG Highway39 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Navigation SystemStandard | Navigation System |
Sunroof/MoonroofStandard | Sunroof/Moonroof |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall4 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space13.1 cu ft | Cargo Space14.1 cu ft |
Curb Weight3781 lbs | Curb Weight2965 lbs |
Height57.8 in | Height57.6 in |
Length194.3 in | Length185.1 in |
Width81.3 in | Width70.8 in |
Wheelbase115.7 in | Wheelbase105.7 in |
Maximum Payload | Maximum Payload882 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $54,250 | $18,995 |
Average price | $76,426 | $23,975 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 8.3 out of 10Read full review | 8.0 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | ||
Summary | When money is but a mild concern, a brand-new Mercedes-Benz is a reasonable purchase. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the company's most practical and versatile car, as high-quality and necessary in a nice garage as a Kitchen-Aid mixer is in a baker's kitchen. It offers four body styles, four engines, and dozens of colour schemes. Fast or efficient? Loud or library quiet? Modest or rich as hell? The E-Class, the brand's midsize car, is all of those things, depending on which of the 13 models you order and how deep into the options list you dive. For 2021, the E-Class receives a mid-cycle update for the infotainment system, engines, and exterior styling. We tested the Mercedes-AMG E53 that features a mild-hybrid inline-6 powertrain. | Small cars aren't asked to do much beyond the basics: provide efficient, reliable transportation at a manageable price. Plenty of models fit this form, and in some rare cases, they manage to do it while also being fun to drive, like the Mazda3. In other cases, the vehicle manages to feel more upscale than the competition, like the Honda Civic. But the Volkswagen Jetta's legacy has historically been defined by its ability to offer both an upscale interior and a rewarding driving experience. But then something happened with the Jetta. Starting with the 2011 model year, Volkswagen attempted to broaden the Jetta's appeal, and until 2018 we were left with a drab interior, an underpowered engine, and an uninspiring driving experience. VW’s hallmark was always that its cars felt a little special, so by adopting a homogenous look and feel, VW removed what made the Jetta unique and desirable to its fans. So Volkswagen had some work to do with the seventh-generation Jetta, which launched in 2019. Does this car move the Jetta name back toward driving refinement and upscale feel? Or does it continue to disappoint as just another bland entrant among small cars? |
Video | No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.0L 255 hp I4 | 1.4L 147 hp I4 |
Drive Train | RWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 255 hp @ 5800 rpm | 147 hp @ 5000 rpm |
MPG City | 22 | 29 |
MPG Highway | 31 | 39 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.0L 255 hp I4 | 1.4L 147 hp I4 |
Torque | 273 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 1400 rpm |
Horsepower | 255 hp @ 5800 rpm | 147 hp @ 5000 rpm |
Drivetrain | RWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 22 | 29 |
MPG Highway | 31 | 39 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Navigation System | Standard | |
Sunroof/Moonroof | Standard | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | 4 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 13.1 cu ft | 14.1 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3781 lbs | 2965 lbs |
Height | 57.8 in | 57.6 in |
Length | 194.3 in | 185.1 in |
Width | 81.3 in | 70.8 in |
Wheelbase | 115.7 in | 105.7 in |
Maximum Payload | 882 lbs | |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
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