2018 Volkswagen Jetta vs. Its Competition

2018 Volkswagen Jetta
Andrew Ganz Andrew Ganz Senior Editor

Few compact sedan shoppers are likely to leave the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla off of their lists.

The Civic is a gem with its shapely body and balanced chassis and shouldn’t be missed, but the Corolla misses the mark in most ways and seems to trade mostly on its name.

Enthusiasts will find a lot to like in the Mazda 3, but it’s tighter inside than the Jetta.

The Chevrolet Cruze offers a turbodiesel engine that may lure in some understandably disgruntled Volkswagen owners.

And don’t discount the decidedly Teutonic Hyundai Elantra, which may out German the Germans in some ways.

2018 Volkswagen Jetta2018 Volkswagen Jetta
Browse Used Listings		2018 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback Redline2018 Chevrolet Cruze
Browse Used Listings		2018 Honda Civic2018 Honda Civic
Browse Used Listings		2018 Hyundai Elantra2018 Hyundai Elantra
Browse Used Listings		2018 Mazda32018 Mazda MAZDA3
Browse Used Listings		2018 Toyota Corolla2018 Toyota Corolla
Browse Used Listings
Quick Specs
6.2
The 2018 Volkswagen Jetta is a competent, comfortable sedan, but it’s light on personality and feels a little old against fresh-faced rivals.
6.8
The 2018 Chevy Cruze offers lots of compelling reasons to select it, but we’d like to see more safety tech on its standard equipment roster.
7.5
The 2018 Honda Civic is a good car made better by plenty of options and value at nearly every stop.
6.8
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.
7.2
The 2018 Mazda 3 adds standard active safety features to an already compelling value. Among compact cars, this is one to consider.
6.3
Perfectly average in every way, the Toyota Corolla is thoroughly competent, but not at all interesting.
MSRP From     
$18,645$16,975$18,940$16,950$18,095$18,600
Gas Mileage     
24 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy27 MPG City / 52 MPG Hwy22 MPG City / 42 MPG Hwy22 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy25 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy27 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy
Engine     
Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4Turbocharged Gas I4Regular Unleaded I-4Regular Unleaded I-4Regular Unleaded I-4Regular Unleaded I-4
EPA Class     
Compact CarsMidsize CarsMidsize CarsMidsize CarsCompact CarsMidsize Cars
Style Name     
1.4T S Manual4-Door Sedan 1.4L L w/1SMLX ManualSE 2.0L Manual (Ulsan)Sport ManualL CVT (GS)
Drivetrain     
Front Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity     
555555
Passenger Doors     
N/A4N/AN/AN/AN/A
Body Style     
SedanSedanSedanSedanSedanSedan
Transmission     
Manual w/ODManualManual w/ODManual w/ODManual w/ODCVT w/OD
Detailed Spec Comparison
 2018 Volkswagen Jetta vs. 2018 Chevrolet Cruze2018 Volkswagen Jetta vs. 2018 Honda Civic2018 Volkswagen Jetta vs. 2018 Hyundai Elantra2018 Volkswagen Jetta vs. 2018 Mazda MAZDA32018 Volkswagen Jetta vs. 2018 Toyota Corolla