2021 Volkswagen Jetta vs. Its Competition

2021 Volkswagen Jetta
Aaron Cole Aaron Cole Managing Editor

The Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla are small car champs with sedans and hatchbacks—and available hybrid powertrains.

The Civic’s a little busy, the Corolla is a little boring, but both are solid compacts in a dwindling field.

The Mazda 3 is the fashionable one in the set; its price and materials are a half-step higher than the Jetta.

The Elantra is new for 2021 and sharp, with an available hybrid.

The Kia Forte has a new turbo-4 and crisp styling, not to mention a big warranty.

2021 Volkswagen Jetta2021 Volkswagen Jetta
#26 in Compact Cars
2021 Honda Civic2021 Honda Civic
2021 Hyundai Elantra N Line2021 Hyundai Elantra
2021 Mazda 3 2.5 Turbo2021 Mazda MAZDA3
2021 Toyota Corolla Apex Edition2021 Toyota Corolla
2020 Kia Forte GT2020 Kia Forte
Browse Used Listings
Quick Specs
5.7
The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta is a no-frills compact with good value. Saving money never goes out of style.
6.7
The 2021 Honda Civic doesn’t let social responsibility get in the way of a good time.
6.7
The 2021 Hyundai Elantra has big style, big available tech, and big range from a hybrid powertrain.
6.7
The 2021 Mazda 3 straddles the mainstream and upscale markets with a quality cabin, power that ranges from pedestrian to plentiful, and available all-wheel drive.
6.7
With the 2021 Corolla, Toyota has almost excised all the bland from its diet.
6.0
The 2020 Kia Forte has the style and now the GT power to slot into any compact-car shopping list.
MSRP From     
$18,995$21,250$19,650$20,650$20,025$17,890
Gas Mileage     
24 MPG City / 41 MPG Hwy22 MPG City / 42 MPG Hwy25 MPG City / 52 MPG Hwy23 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy28 MPG City / 52 MPG Hwy25 MPG City / 41 MPG Hwy
Engine     
Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4Regular Unleaded I-4Regular Unleaded I-4Regular Unleaded I-4Regular Unleaded I-4
EPA Class     
Compact CarsLarge CarsMidsize CarsCompact CarsCompact CarsMidsize Cars
Style Name     
S ManualLX CVTSE IVT SULEV *Ltd Avail*2.0 FWDL CVT (SE)FE Manual
Drivetrain     
Front Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity     
555555
Passenger Doors     
N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
Body Style     
SedanHatchbackSedanSedanSedanSedan
Transmission     
Manual w/ODCVT w/ODCVT w/ODAutomatic w/ODCVT w/ODManual w/OD
Detailed Spec Comparison
 2021 Volkswagen Jetta vs. 2021 Honda Civic2021 Volkswagen Jetta vs. 2021 Hyundai Elantra2021 Volkswagen Jetta vs. 2021 Mazda MAZDA32021 Volkswagen Jetta vs. 2021 Toyota Corolla2021 Volkswagen Jetta vs. 2020 Kia Forte