Compare the2022 Volkswagen JettaVS 2021 Mazda 6

The Jetta has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Compared to metal, the Jetta’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Mazda 6 has a metal gas tank.

Both the Jetta and the Mazda 6 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available lane departure warning systems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volkswagen Jetta is safer than the Mazda 6:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Jetta is safer than the Mazda 6:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Jetta comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The 6’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Jetta’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Mazda 6’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Jetta for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the 6.

There are over 16 percent more Volkswagen dealers than there are Mazda dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Jetta’s warranty.

On the EPA test cycle the Jetta gets better mileage than the Mazda 6:

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the Jetta Auto’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Jetta uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Mazda 6 Grand Touring/Signature/Carbon Edition requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Jetta higher (7 out of 10) than the Mazda 6 (3 to 7). This means the Jetta produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Mazda 6 every 15,000 miles.

The Jetta offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and fuel economy. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

An eight-speed automatic is optional on the Volkswagen Jetta, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Mazda 6.

The Jetta stops shorter than the Mazda 6:

The Jetta handles at .83 G’s, while the Mazda 6 Signature pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Volkswagen Jetta may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 600 pounds less than the Mazda 6.

The Jetta is 6.2 inches shorter than the Mazda 6, making the Jetta easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Jetta uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Jetta has .1 inches more front headroom and .1 inches more rear headroom than the Mazda 6.

The power windows standard on both the Jetta and the Mazda 6 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Jetta is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Mazda 6 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

If the windows are left open on The Jetta Sport/SE/SEL the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows with the driver’s door power window switch. The driver of the Mazda 6 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Jetta’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Mazda 6’s power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Jetta SEL to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Jetta’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the Mazda 6 Grand Touring/Signature/Carbon Edition.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen Jetta SEL has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Mazda 6 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Jetta is less expensive to operate than the Mazda 6 because typical repairs cost less on the Jetta than the Mazda 6, including $17 less for front brake pads and $123 less for fuel injection.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Volkswagen Jetta will be $4974 to $7569 less than for the Mazda 6.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Volkswagen Jetta and the Mazda 6, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Volkswagen Jetta outsold the Mazda 6 by over four to one during the 2021 model year.