Volkswagen Jetta vs Toyota Corolla

Vehicle Comparison

The new Volkswagen Jetta is a compact that doesn't realize it's not a midsized sedan. Now in its seventh generation, it is more refined and spacious than ever before.

Designed with European style, but engineered for a North American audience, it includes the style, performance and reliability in a compact four-door sedan. It's loaded with practicality too, now including Volkswagen CarNet and built-in Wi-Fi standard.

One of its main rivals is the mid-sized Toyota Corolla. Now in its 12th generation, it has been a best-seller since its introduction in 1966. It includes a wide range of standard safety features and offers precise driving manners on American roads.

Jetta vs Corolla Exterior

The Volkswagen Jetta is a four-door sedan that thinks it's a European-bred grand-tourer. Introduced 41 years ago in 1979, the VW Jetta has continued to improve through the years, gaining poise and providing comfort that will provide miles and years of service.

For 2020, the Jetta features a buyer's choice of engines ranging from the 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder or a larger and more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with a choice of six-speed manual or seven- and eight-speed automatic transmissions depending on your Jetta's trim level.

All Jetta models deliver power through its front-wheel-drive system. Jetta trim levels range from base S and continue up through SE, SEL, R-Line, SEL Premium and GLI models.

The all-new 2020 Toyota Corolla is the closest competitor to the Volkswagen Jetta. A good looking four-door sedan, it can be ordered with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder or a 2.0-liter four-cylinder. It is also available with a manual or automatic transmission.

Jetta vs Corolla Engine

The Volkswagen gets its base power from a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 147 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Also available is a more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.

Depending on engine choice, buyers can select a six-speed manual gearbox or choose between a seven- or eight-speed automatic transmission, depending on trim and engine choice.

The Toyota Corolla is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine in L, LE and XLE trim, making 139 horsepower and 126 lb-ft of torque or a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in the Sport version that produces 169 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque.

The 1.8 engine is mated to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The 2.0 liter gives the buyer a choice of six-speed manual gearbox or the CVT.

Jetta vs Corolla Interior

The inside of the Jetta is chock-full of good European design sensibility. Sculpted front seats hold you and an occupant firmly in place, while a grippy steering wheel helps keep you heading in the right direction.

An optional digital dashboard keeps you in touch with your Jetta's performance. Rear legroom is almost like that of the Toyota Camry. As such, backseat passengers won't feel jammed up. The Jetta trunk offers 14.1 cubic feet of storage space and the 60/40 split rear seat folds down to allow you to carry longer cargo as well.

Audio systems in the Golf range start with a base 6.5-inch touchscreen system that includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Mirrorlink integration. Buyers can opt-up to an available Beats premium audio system with an 8-inch touchscreen display.

The Toyota Corolla includes a standard 4.2-inch touchscreen display system with Apple CarPlay. Buyers can also step up to a JBL premium audio system with a 7-inch touchscreen and configurable TFT instrument display screen. The Corolla offers 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space.

Jetta vs Corolla Safety Features

Volkswagen's Car-Net infotainment system is included on the Jetta at no charge for the first five years of ownership. Other safety assists include adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation and blind spot monitoring. The Toyota Corolla includes Toyota's Safety Sense 2.0 suite of assists.

Both the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta and 2020 Toyota Corolla have been tested by NHTSA and received a five-star safety rating.

Jetta vs Corolla Warranty

The Jetta is equipped with a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and a four-year/50,000-mile powertrain warranty. The Toyota Corolla includes a basic 3-year/36,000-mile warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

VOLKSWAGEN JETTA BASE MSRP: $19,815
TOYOTA COROLLA BASE MSRP:  $20,430