The seventh generation Volkswagen Jetta was released in 2018, replacing the previous generation that had been in production since 2010. It was discontinued in the European market due to poor sales, but it is still being sold in other regions, with China being its biggest market.
Since its release, the Jetta has received mid-cycle updates, including a facelift design and a new engine, to stay competitive in the market.
The current Toyota Corolla, released around the same time as the Jetta, has also undergone a few updates. These two cars are perfect for comparing and cross-shopping. Let’s find out which one is the better choice: the Jetta or the Toyota Corolla.
The Volkswagen Jetta Looks Classy
The Volkswagen Jetta has always been known for its sophisticated but rather boring design. The 2023 model carries on this tradition with a few updates. It now features updated LED headlights with chrome strips on the grille, giving it a premium look. The side profile is typical of a sedan, but with a pronounced body line that runs from the front fenders through the door handles and joins the rear tail lights.
The Jetta comes with 16-inch wheels as standard, with 17-inch wheels also available. At the rear, it sports LED lights with chrome strips on the bumpers, and the exhaust is hidden for a cleaner look. The new Jetta is longer than its predecessor by 4.5 inches and features subtle but strong body lines on the hood, sides, and trunk. Overall, it is one of the classiest-looking vehicles in this segment.
Vehicle Dimensions
|
Vehicle |
Volkswagen Jetta |
Toyota Corolla |
|---|---|---|
|
Length |
186.5 inches |
182.3 inches |
|
Wheelbase |
105.7 inches |
106.3 inches |
|
Width |
70.8 inches |
70.1 inches |
|
Height |
57.7 inches |
56.5 inches |
|
Ground Clearance |
5.5 inches |
5.3 inches |
|
Wheel size |
16-inch |
16-inch |
|
Weight |
2,990 pounds |
2,995 pounds |
The Toyota Corolla has a sporty look with sleek LED headlights and blacked-out front bumpers. However, it looks fairly normal in comparison to the Jetta. It comes standard with 16-inch wheels, with 18-inch wheels available. At the back, it features normal taillights and dual exhausts on one side. While it looks good, it doesn’t match the Jetta in terms of overall appearance.
The Volkswagen Jetta Has A Quality Looking Interior
- The Volkswagen Jetta offers 97.7 cubic feet of passenger volume, while the Toyota Corolla only has 88.6 cubic feet.
- The Jetta also provides larger trunk space at 14.1 cubic feet, compared to the Corolla’s 13.1 cubic feet.
The interior of the Jetta resembles that of a low-budget luxury Audi. It features a fully digital eight-inch gauge cluster on all trim models, along with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The center console houses buttons and knobs for climate control, tilted towards the driver for convenience.
Though it lacks special interior materials, the Jetta offers ample interior space and a well-designed layout, making it one of the best in its class.
The Toyota Corolla has a simple design but lacks the same level of integration as the Jetta. It offers a seven-inch cluster similar to the Jetta, but with less configurability. The eight-inch center screen sits on top of the dashboard, appearing bulky due to large bezels. The Corolla uses simple materials and provides less space compared to the Jetta.
The Corolla Offers Four-Wheel Drive, The Jetta Doesn’t
Engine Specifications
|
Vehicle |
Volkswagen Jetta |
Toyota Corolla |
|---|---|---|
|
Engine |
Turbo Inline-four |
NA Inline-four |
|
Displacement |
1.5 liters |
2.0 liters |
|
Power |
158 horsepower |
169 horsepower |
|
Torque |
184 pound-feet, |
151 pound-feet |
|
Transmission |
Six-speed manual/eight-speed auto, |
CVT automatic |
|
Drivetrain |
Front-wheel drive |
Front-wheel drive |
|
Hybrid |
Not available |
Available |
|
All-Wheel Drive |
Not available |
Available |
|
Fuel Economy (MPG) |
32/41 City/Highway |
31,41 City/Highway |
The Jetta comes with a new 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four engine introduced in the 2022 model year, replacing the previous 1.4-liter engine. This new engine offers more power and torque. It is available with front-wheel drive and a choice of a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Jetta delivers more low-down torque than the Corolla while maintaining similar fuel economy.
The Corolla, on the other hand, uses a larger naturally aspirated 2.0-liter inline-four engine across its range. It sends power to the front wheels and offers good power, although with less torque. The Corolla is equipped with a CVT automatic transmission for optimal efficiency. Additionally, it offers a hybrid powertrain for better fuel economy, achieving 50 MPG. However, the hybrid powertrain comes with a smaller 1.8-liter engine delivering less power and torque.
Vehicle Safety And Warranty
The Toyota Corolla has received a top safety pick rating from the IIHS, thanks to its advanced safety technologies. Toyota’s Safety Sense 3.0 offers features like Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist, and Automatic High Beams.
The Volkswagen Jetta has also improved its safety features and driver assistance systems, but it has only received a five-star rating. This means the Corolla may be a safer option, even though the Jetta is classified as a midsize sedan. The Jetta’s IQ.DRIVE includes features like Travel Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Active Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Traffic Alert, Front Assist, Emergency Assist, and Lane Assist.
The Corolla is known for its reliability, receiving a 4.5 rating from RepairPal compared to the Jetta’s 4.0 rating. Additionally, the Corolla ranks first out of 36 compact cars, with an annual repair cost of just $362. On the other hand, the Jetta ranks 21st out of 36 and has an average annual repair cost of $609, slightly lower than the industry average of $652. Both cars come with a warranty that is on par with each other.
Would You Have The Volkswagen Jetta Or Toyota Corolla For A Similar Price?
The Volkswagen Jetta and the Toyota Corolla are similarly priced. The Jetta has four trim models, with the base S trim starting at $21,750 and the range-topping SEL trim starting at $29,480. This makes it an affordable option for a sophisticated German sedan, offering good looks, ample interior space, advanced technology, and a strong brand name.
The Toyota Corolla falls within the same price range as the Jetta but offers more options due to hybrid and hatchback models. It starts with the base LE trim priced at $22,795 and goes up to $27,945 for the top XSE trims. The Corolla is a reliable and dependable vehicle, characteristics that Toyota is renowned for.