Compare the2023 Volkswagen JettaVS 2022 Toyota Corolla

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Jetta has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Corolla’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Jetta has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the Corolla and isn't available on the not available.

Both the Jetta and the Corolla 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, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available lane departure warning systems.

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, results indicate that the Volkswagen Jetta is safer than the Toyota Corolla:

	Jetta	Corolla
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.9 inches	.9 inches
Hip Force	317 lbs.	330 lbs.

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

Warranty

The Jetta comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The Corolla’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 Corolla’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Jetta has a standard 480-amp battery (640 optional). The Corolla’s standard 295-amp battery and largest (SE/XSE) 360 amp battery aren’t as powerful.

Engine

The Jetta’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 19 more horsepower (158 vs. 139) and 58 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 126) than the Corolla’s standard 1.8 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Jetta’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 33 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 151) than the Corolla SE/XSE’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Jetta gets better mileage than the Corolla:

			MPG
Jetta
	Manual	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	29 city/42 hwy
	Auto	S 1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	31 city/41 hwy
		SE/SEL 1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	29 city/40 hwy
Corolla
	Manual	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	29 city/36 hwy
		2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	28 city/36 hwy
	Auto	SE 2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	31 city/40 hwy
		XSE 2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	31 city/38 hwy
		L/LE 1.8 DOHC 4-cyl.	30 city/38 hwy
		XLE 1.8 DOHC 4-cyl.	29 city/37 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Jetta Automatic’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 Corolla 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 Corolla SE/XSE requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Jetta higher (7 out of 10) than the Toyota Corolla (5 to 7). This means the Jetta produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Corolla every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Jetta’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Corolla:

	Jetta	Corolla
Front Rotors	11.3 inches	10.8 inches
Rear Rotors	10.7 inches	10.2 inches

The Jetta stops shorter than the Corolla:

	Jetta	Corolla
60 to 0 MPH	121 feet	128 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	138 feet	143 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Jetta has larger tires than the Corolla (205/60R16 vs. 195/65R15).

The Jetta S’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Corolla L’s standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Jetta S has standard 16-inch wheels. Smaller 15-inch wheels are standard on the Corolla L.

Suspension and Handling

The Jetta has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Corolla doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Jetta S handles at .83 G’s, while the Corolla XSE pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Jetta S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Corolla XSE (27.3 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

Chassis

The design of the Volkswagen Jetta amounts to more than styling. The Jetta offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .27 to .28 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the Corolla (.29 to .3) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Jetta get better fuel mileage.

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 Corolla doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Jetta has 6.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Corolla (94.7 vs. 88.6).

The Jetta has .2 inches more front headroom, 1.9 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom, 2.6 inches more rear legroom, .1 inches more rear hip room and 2.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Corolla.

Cargo Capacity

The Jetta has a larger trunk than the Corolla (14.1 vs. 13.1 cubic feet).

Ergonomics

When different drivers share the Jetta SEL, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Corolla doesn’t offer a memory system.

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 Corolla’s power window (except driver window) and power lock switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Jetta’s standard variable intermittent wipers have an adjustable delay to allow the driver to choose a setting that best clears the windshield during light rain or mist. The Corolla L’s standard fixed intermittent wipers only have one fixed delay setting, so the driver will have to manually switch them between slow and intermittent. The Jetta’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Corolla LE/SE/XLE/XLS’ manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 Corolla doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Jetta’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Heated mirrors cost extra on the Corolla and aren’t offered on the Corolla L.

The Jetta’s optional rear view mirror has an automatic dimming feature. This mirror can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on it, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Corolla doesn’t offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

Both the Jetta and the Corolla offer available heated front seats. The Jetta SEL also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Corolla.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Jetta SEL keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Corolla doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Jetta SEL’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Corolla doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Jetta SE/SEL’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Corolla doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Jetta is less expensive to operate than the Corolla because typical repairs cost much less on the Jetta than the Corolla, including $521 less for a timing belt/chain.

Recommendations

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its October 2021 issue and they ranked the Volkswagen Jetta SEL three places higher than the Toyota Corolla Apex.