Compare the2025 Volkswagen JettaVS 2024 Audi A3

The Jetta has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the A3’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Jetta has standard Rear Traffic Alert and automatically engage the brakes. Audi charges extra for Rear Cross-Traffic Assist on the A3.

Both the Jetta and the A3 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems and rearview cameras.

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Jetta for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the A3.

There are over 2 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Jetta’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 1 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Volkswagen higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 8 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen higher than Audi.

On the EPA test cycle the Jetta gets better mileage than the A3:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Jetta uses regular unleaded gasoline. The A3 requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Volkswagen Jetta, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A3.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Jetta’s wheelbase is 2.2 inches longer than on the A3 (105.7 inches vs. 103.5 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Jetta’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the A3’s (35.8 feet vs. 36.4 feet).

The Volkswagen Jetta may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 400 pounds less than the Audi A3.

The design of the Volkswagen Jetta amounts to more than styling. The Jetta has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .26 Cd. That is lower than the A3 (.29) 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 A3 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Jetta a Compact car, while the A3 is rated a Subcompact.

The Jetta has 7.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A3 (94.7 vs. 87).

The Jetta has 1.7 inches more front headroom, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, 2.2 inches more rear legroom and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the A3.

The Jetta has a much larger trunk than the A3 (14.1 vs. 10.9 cubic feet).

The Jetta SE/SEL has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The A3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

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 A3 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Jetta’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The A3’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

Both the Jetta and the A3 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 A3.

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 A3 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 A3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Insurance will cost less for the Jetta owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Jetta will cost $530 to $3280 less than the A3 over a five-year period.

The Jetta will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Jetta will retain 51.63% to 56.7% of its original price after five years, while the A3 only retains 48.11% to 50.83%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Volkswagen Jetta will be $13879 to $15775 less than for the Audi A3.

The Volkswagen Jetta outsold the Audi A3/S3/RS 3 by over three to one during 2023.