Although SUVs are the biggest sellers in the United States, sedans still comprise a significant portion of new vehicle sales. Some brands, including Volkswagen and Toyota, enjoy reputations for their strong passenger car lineups.
The Volkswagen Jetta and Toyota Corolla are leading the charge among sedans. These two cars have been available on dealer lots for decades and enjoy a loyal following.
Let’s check out the Volkswagen Jetta and Toyota Corolla.
2025 Volkswagen Jetta
The Volkswagen Jetta is an appealing option due to its affordability and simple exterior styling. The Jetta received a freshening for the 2025 model year that retains is classic, clean lines.
Inside, you get a roomy cabin that carries over that has also been updated for 2025 with a more modern look. The Jetta features plenty of technology, all of which can be upgraded as you move through its four trim levels: S, Sport, SE, and SEL.
If you need simple transportation, the base model with a 6-speed manual and good fuel economy should be on your list. It’s powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, producing 158 horsepower. Pricing starts at $23,220, including destination charge.
Volkswagen Jetta Highlights
Driver safety: Every Jetta with an automatic transmission comes standard with its IQ.Drive safety technology suite. It includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, emergency stop assistance, and adaptive cruise control.
Great gas mileage: While it’s true all of the vehicles in this class are pretty good on gas, the Jetta is a bit better than most of the pack with an EPA-estimated rating of 29 mpg city/40 highway/33 combined mpg. At the end of the day, it’s a nice place to be that doesn’t make many demands on your wallet.
Strong warranty: The Volkswagen Jetta comes standard with 4-year/50,000-mile basic and powertrain warranties. VW’s basic warranty is better than the 3-year/36,000-mile version with most vehicles in this class.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Jetta models near you.
2025 Toyota Corolla
2024 model shown
The Corolla continues Toyota’s legacy as a top builder of affordable, high-quality sedans. The current version offers good looks, excellent mileage, and lots of technology at a great price. Not only that, if a sedan isn’t your thing, you can slide over to the hatchback, and if 35 mpg combined isn’t good enough, you can move up to the Corolla hybrid and its 50 mpg combined fuel economy rating.
The Corolla is powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder sedan, putting out 169 hp. That is more than acceptable power, considering you’re more likely to be concerned with its fuel economy, which comes in at an impressive 32 mpg city, 41 mpg highway, and 35 mpg combined.
The sedan comes in four trim levels: LE, SE, XSE, and FX, which replaces the Nightshade package for 2025. Each offers more options as you move up the ladder. Pricing for the LE starts at $23,310, including destination charge.
Toyota Corolla Highlights
Safety first: Corolla comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, road sign assist, and automatic high beams. It’s more generous with standard safety tech than the Volkswagen Jetta.
Fashionable look: Toyota ditched its Nightshade appearance package in favor of the FX trim. Based on the Corolla FX16 from years ago, it is a blacked-out model with 18-inch wheels, badges, roof and other accents as well as a rear spoiler to complete the sporty look.
Intelligent Assistant: A feature typically found on much more expensive vehicles, the available tech package allows you to simply utter “Hey Toyota,” and you ask for directions, turn up the radio volume, change the cabin temperature, and more.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Corolla models near you.
Similarities
The Volkswagen Jetta and Toyota Corolla offer an affordable, quality option for buyers who also want good looks, safety, and technology.
Conclusion
These two sedans are so similar in price, fuel economy, performance, and even looks that there’s no wrong choice. Drive each one and decide based on that.
New 2025 Volkswagen Jetta Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (56007)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$23,720 |
$22,450 |
|||
$25,000 |
$23,697 |
|||
$26,500 |
$25,098 |
|||
$30,225 |
$28,876 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles and New 2025 Toyota Corolla vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
| 2025 Volkswagen Jetta | 2025 Toyota Corolla | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 158 hp @ 5,500 rpm | 169 hp @ 6,600 rpm |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft @ 1,750 rpm | 151 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual | CVT |
| Fuel Economy | 29 city/40 highway/33 combined mpg | 32 city/41 highway/35 combined mpg |
| Also Available | 8-speed automatic | hybrid |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety Rating | 5 stars | Not rated |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 105.7 inches | 106.3 inches |
| Overall Length | 186.5 inches | 182.3 inches |
| Width | 70.8 inches | 70.1 inches |
| Height | 57.7 inches | 56.5 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 36.0 feet | 35.6 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 38.5 inches | 38.3 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 37.2 inches | 37.1 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.1 inches | 42.0 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 37.4 inches | 34.8 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 55.9 inches | 54.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 54.0 inches | 51.7 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 14.1 cubic feet | 13.1 cubic feet |
