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 2024 Volkswagen Jetta and 2024 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.
2024 Volkswagen Jetta
The 2024 Volkswagen Jetta is an appealing option due to its affordability and simple exterior styling. The Jetta hasn’t changed much in the past few years, and with clean lines and modern tech, that’s not all bad.
Inside, you get a roomy cabin that carries over that simple yet sophisticated theme. The Jetta features plenty of technology, all of which can be upgraded as you move through its six trim levels: S, Sport, SE, SEL, GLI 40th Anniversary, and GLI Autobahn.
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 $22,660, 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/42 highway/34 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.
2024 Toyota Corolla
The 2024 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, Nightshade, and XSE. Each offers more options as you move up the ladder. Pricing for the LE starts at $23,145, 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 made its Nightshade appearance package available on the Corolla for this model year. It features blacked-out badging, a sport mesh gloss-black front grille, black sport rocker panels, black-capped side mirrors, and 18-inch bronze wheels for some contrast.
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.
| 2024 Volkswagen Jetta | 2024 Toyota Corolla | |
| Starting Price | $22,660 | $23,145 |
| 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/42 highway/34 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-Star | 5-Star |
| 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 |
