Compare the2025 Toyota CamryVS 2025 Volkswagen Jetta

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Camry have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision. The Volkswagen Jetta doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Camry are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Jetta doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Toyota Camry has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Jetta doesn’t offer knee airbags.

With its standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, the Toyota Camry is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Volkswagen Jetta, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Camry	Jetta
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	-21 MPH	-12 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-18 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-18 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	No Slowing
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	No Slowing
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	No Slowing
Warning Issued-Brights	2 sec	No Warning
37 MPH Low beams	-34 MPH	No Slowing
Warning Issued-Low beams	1.7 sec	No Warning

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Camry XLE/XSE offers an optional Parking Support Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Jetta doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The Camry has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Jetta doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Camry XLE/XSE offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Jetta only offers a rear monitor.

The Camry’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Jetta doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Camry and the Jetta have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Camry is much safer than the Jetta:

	Camry	Jetta
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	POOR
Chest Rating	GOOD	POOR
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Toyota Camry is safer than the Jetta:

	Camry	Jetta
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	103	226
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	1.02 in	1.06 in
Torso Max Deflection	1.26 in	1.85 in
Torso Deflection Rate	8 MPH	12 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	669 lbs.	1182 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Torso	GOOD	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	.91 in	1.97 in
Shoulder Force	312 lbs.	379 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.14 in	1.69 in
Torso Deflection Rate	9 MPH	10 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	915 lbs.	1049 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Toyota Camry has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Jetta is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Warranty

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the Camry 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the Jetta. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Jetta ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Camry’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Jetta’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

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

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Camry’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Jetta’s camshafts. If the Jetta’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

The battery on the Camry is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Camry’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Jetta’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Camry first among midsize cars in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The Jetta isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 49 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 120 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 27th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Volkswagen is ranked 27th.

Engine

The Camry’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 67 more horsepower (225 vs. 158) than the Jetta’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The Camry’s optional 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 74 more horsepower (232 vs. 158) than the Jetta’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Camry
	FWD	LE 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	53 city/50 hwy
		SE/XLE/XSE 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	48 city/47 hwy
	AWD	LE 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	51 city/49 hwy
		SE/XLE 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	46 city/46 hwy
		XSE 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	43 city/44 hwy
Jetta
	FWD	Sport/SE/SEL 1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	29 city/40 hwy
		S 1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	29 city/39 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Camry’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Jetta doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Regardless of its engine, the Camry’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. Volkswagen only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the Jetta Automatic.

Transmission

The Camry has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Jetta doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Camry	Jetta
Front Rotors	12 inches	11.3 inches
Rear Rotors	11.1 inches	10.7 inches

The Camry stops shorter than the Jetta:

	Camry	Jetta
70 to 0 MPH	182 feet	191 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Camry SE/XLE’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Jetta (235/45R18 vs. 225/45R18).

The Camry XSE’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Jetta SEL’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Camry XSE has standard 19-inch wheels. The Jetta’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Toyota Camry has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Volkswagen Jetta has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Camry has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Camry flat and controlled during cornering. The Jetta’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Camry’s wheelbase is 5.5 inches longer than on the Jetta (111.2 inches vs. 105.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Camry is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 2.8 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Jetta.

The Camry XSE AWD handles at .84 G’s, while the Jetta pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Camry a Mid-size car, while the Jetta is rated a Compact.

The Camry has 5.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Jetta (99.9 vs. 94.7).

The Camry has 1 inch more front legroom, 2.4 inches more front hip room, 1.8 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, .6 inches more rear legroom, 3.2 inches more rear hip room and 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Jetta.

Cargo Capacity

The Camry has a larger trunk than the Jetta (15.1 vs. 14.1 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Camry. The Jetta doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Ergonomics

The Camry XLE’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Jetta doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Camry XLE/XSE offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Jetta doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

If the windows are left open on the Camry the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Jetta can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

The Camry has a standard Push Button Start that allows you to start the engine without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Jetta SE/SEL offers Keyless Access.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Camry’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Jetta’s headlights are rated “Marginal” to “Poor.”

When the Camry XLE with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Jetta’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Camry and the Jetta offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Camry has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Jetta doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Compared to the Volkswagen Jetta, the Toyota Camry eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota Camry has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Jetta SE/SEL offers wireless charging.

Recommendations

The Toyota Camry outsold the Volkswagen Jetta by over six to one during 2023.

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