2018 Hyundai Elantra vs 2018 Volkswagen Jetta

2018 Hyundai Elantra

2018 Volkswagen Jetta

Select style

ECO 1.4T DCT

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Elantra ECO 1.4T DCT	32	40	$19,834	$20,550
Elantra Limited 2.0L Automatic	28	37	$21,078	$22,100
Elantra Limited 2.0L Automatic SULEV	28	37	$21,078	$22,100
Elantra SE 2.0L Automatic	29	38	$17,377	$17,950
Elantra SE 2.0L Automatic SULEV	29	38	$17,377	$17,950
Elantra SE 2.0L Manual	26	36	$16,432	$16,950
Elantra SEL 2.0L Automatic	28	37	$18,227	$18,850
Elantra SEL 2.0L Automatic SULEV	28	37	$18,227	$18,850
Elantra Sport 1.6T Automatic	26	33	$21,940	$22,900
Elantra Sport 1.6T Manual	22	30	$20,906	$21,800
Elantra Value Edition 2.0L Automatic	28	37	$19,172	$19,850
Elantra Value Edition 2.0L Automatic SULEV	28	37	$19,172	$19,850
Elantra GT Automatic	24	32	$19,543	$20,350
Elantra GT Manual	23	31	$18,603	$19,350
Elantra GT Sport Automatic	26	32	$23,303	$24,350
Elantra GT Sport Manual	22	29	$22,269	$23,250

Select style

1.4T S Automatic

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Jetta 1.4T S Automatic	28	38	$18,858	$19,645
Jetta 1.4T S Manual	28	40	$17,898	$18,645
Jetta 1.4T SE Automatic	28	38	$21,355	$22,245
Jetta 1.4T SE Manual	28	40	$20,395	$21,245
Jetta 1.4T Wolfsburg Edition Automatic	28	38	$20,491	$21,345
Jetta 1.4T Wolfsburg Edition Manual	28	40	$19,531	$20,345
Jetta 1.8T SE Sport Automatic	24	33	$22,315	$23,245
Jetta 1.8T SEL Automatic	24	33	$25,195	$26,245
Jetta 2.0T GLI DSG	24	33	$28,362	$29,545

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$19,834

$18,858

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$20,550

$19,645

Monthly Payment Estimate

$343 / month

$327 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.8

Read Our Full Review

6.2

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2018 Hyundai Elantra adds a versatile hatchback to the fold and makes a more compelling case as a compact contender in a value-packed segment.

The 2018 Volkswagen Jetta is a competent, comfortable sedan, but it’s light on personality and feels a little old against fresh-faced rivals.

TCC Likes

Smart exterior style
Great available hatchback
Quiet ride

Roomy back seat
Comfortable ride
Strong turbo engines

TCC Dislikes

Isn’t as bold as predecessors
Somewhat cheap interior materials
Sedan and hatchback aren’t related

Very conservative feel
Light on personality and fun
Best safety tech only on SEL

Fuel Economy

City

32 mpg

28 mpg

Highway

40 mpg

38 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Midsize Cars

Compact Cars

Interior Dimensions

Passenger Volume (ft³)

95.8

94.1

Second Hip Room (in)

51.9

Front Shoulder Room (in)

56.2

55.2

Second Head Room (in)

37.3

37.1

Passenger Capacity

Second Shoulder Room (in)

55.3

53.6

Front Leg Room (in)

42.2

41.2

Front Hip Room (in)

53.4

Second Leg Room (in)

35.7

38.1

Front Head Room (in)

38.8

38.2

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)

61.5

60.4

Min Ground Clearance (in)

5.3

5.2

Length, Overall (in)

179.9

183.4

Height, Overall (in)

56.5

57.2

Track Width, Rear (in)

61.9

60.3

Wheelbase (in)

106.3

104.4

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

70.9

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

14.4

15.7

Brakes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.3

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Brake Type

Front Disc/Rear Drum

4-Wheel Disc

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

14.5

Steering

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

17.4

36.4

Tires

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P195/65TR15

P205/55HR16

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P195/65TR15

P205/55HR16

Spare Tire Size

Full-Size

Front Tire Order Code

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

2857

3009

Wheels

Rear Wheel Size (in)

15 X 6

16 X 6.5

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

15 X 6

16 X 6.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Full-Size

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

550

540

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

130

140

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

156 @ 1400

184 @ 1400

Engine Order Code

Displacement

1.4 L/83

1.4 L/85

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

128 @ 5500

150 @ 5000

Engine Type

Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.81

4.46

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

4.12

3.23

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.96

1.56

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.84

0.85

Trans Description Cont. Again

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.72

Reverse Ratio (:1)

5.10

3.19

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.26

2.51

Trans Order Code

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.07

1.14

Trans Description Cont.

Auto-Shift Manual w/OD

Automatic w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.88

0.67

Summary

Vehicle Name

Hyundai Elantra

Volkswagen Jetta

Body Style

Sedan

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear

Torsion Beam

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Torsion Beam

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

5.0

5.5

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

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