2026 BMW 3 Series vs 2026 Volkswagen Jetta
The Volkswagen Jetta wins clearly, 89.2 to 69.1, on price, tech & comfort, fuel & range. The BMW 3 Series is ahead on performance and safety.
2026 BMW 3 Series
The 2026 BMW 3 Series is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid midsize sedan with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the 330i Sedan, is EPA-rated at…
2026 Volkswagen Jetta
The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact sedan with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Jetta, is EPA-rated at 34 …
2026 Volkswagen Jetta
Clear winThe Volkswagen Jetta wins clearly, 89.2 to 69.1, on price, tech & comfort, fuel & range. The BMW 3 Series is ahead on performance and safety.
| Category · weight | 2026 BMW 3 Seriesoverall 69.1 | 2026 Volkswagen Jettaoverall 89.2 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 31.9 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | |||||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 74 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 91.2 | 84 | |||||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | |||||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 100 | 88.9 | |||||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 100 | 45.7 | |||||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 42.9 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | |||||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Overall | 69.1 | 89.2 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
BMW 3 Series: base trim M340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD · Volkswagen Jetta: base trim S FWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta wins
- It lists 17 standard driver-assist features against 5.
- It starts $51,205 lower ($23,995 against $75,200 base MSRP).
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (14 points against 6 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
Where the 2026 BMW 3 Series answers
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (1 against 6 filed with NHTSA).
- It makes 386 hp against 158.
What they share
- 5 NHTSA stars.
- 5 seats.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
50 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $75,200 | $23,995 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | twin turbo | twin turbo |
| Cylinder count | 6 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 2,998 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | Inline 6-cylinder TwinPower Turbo with 48-volt mild hybrid | 1.5L inline four cylinder, 16V, turbocharged/intercooled, TSI |
| Fuel injection system | — | TSI |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 24-Valve | DOHC |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 386 hp | 158 hp |
| Torque | 398 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | — | 29 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | — | 34 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | — | 40 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 2.81 | 3.24 |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission type | 8-speed STEPTRONIC | automatic hybrid |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 5.1 in | 5.5 in |
| Overall height | 56.7 in | 57.7 in |
| Overall length | 186 in | 187 in |
| Overall width | 71.9 in | 70.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 112 in | 106 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | — | 51.2 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 16.9 cu-ft | 14.1 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | — | 94.7 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | — | 38.5 in |
| Second-row headroom | — | 37.2 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | — | 41.1 in |
| Second-row legroom | — | 37.4 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 4,008 lbs | 2,998 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,008 lbs | 2,998 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | — | 4,167 lbs |
| Payload capacity | — | 915 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | — | strut-type with lower control arms, coil springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar |
| Rear suspension type | — | torsion beam, coil springs, telescopic dampers |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electric Power Steering (EPS) with Servotronic function | rack and pinion, electric power assist |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 39.4 ft | 35.8 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | — | 287 mm |
| Front brake type | — | vented disc |
| Parking brake type | — | electro-mechanical |
| Rear brake diameter | — | 272 mm |
| Rear brake type | — | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 19 in | 16 in |
| Wheel material | — | alloy |
| Wheel width | 8 in | 6.5 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 225/40 R19 | 205/60 R16 92H |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 15.6 gal | 12.8 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | — | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | — | Volkswagen Car-Net |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | — | 55.9 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | — | 54 in |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
65 features · differences first, then sharedSafety22 differ · 22 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop & Go | — | std |
| Front Assist (Forward Collision Warning & Automatic Emergency Braking w/ Pedestrian & Cyclist Monitoring) | — | std |
| Front Assist (Forward Collision Warning & Automatic Emergency Braking w/ Pedestrian & Cyclist Monitoring) | — | std |
| Rear Traffic Alert | — | std |
| Surround View with 3D View | std | — |
| Dual front & side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags | — | std |
| Dual front & side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags | — | std |
| Dual front & side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags | — | std |
| Lane Assist (Lane Keeping System) | — | std |
| Rear View Camera | std | — |
| 3-point seatbelts with tensioner height adjust | — | std |
| Active Park Distance Control | std | — |
| Active Side Assist (Blind Spot Monitor) | — | std |
| Anti-Lock Braking System | — | std |
| Automatic Post-Collision Braking System | — | std |
| Intelligent Crash Response System | — | std |
| IQ.DRIVE (Travel Assist, Front Assist, Active Side Assist, Rear Traffic Alert, ACC Stop & Go, Lane Assist, Emergency Assist) | — | std |
| Parking Assistance Package | std | — |
| Parking Assistant Plus | std | — |
| Rearview Camera | — | std |
| Stability Control | — | std |
| Tire pressure monitoring system | — | std |
Infotainment10 differ · 10 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| BMW Curved Display with Head-Up Display | std | — |
| Wi-Fi Hotspot | — | std |
| 4-speaker sound system | — | std |
| Bluetooth connectivity | — | std |
| BMW Curved Display with Head-Up Display | std | — |
| Harman Kardon Surround Sound System | std | — |
| MIB3 Composition Media 8-in touchscreen, USB-C (2 data & charge ports) | — | std |
| Premium Package | std | — |
| Volkswagen Digital Cockpit (8-inch display) | — | std |
| Wireless App-Connect (CarPlay, AndroidAuto, MirrorLink) w/ multi-phone pairing capability | — | std |
Climate1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Climatronic Touch dual-zone automatic climate control | — | std |
Seating4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Front comfort seats | — | std |
| Leather seating surfaces | std | — |
| Manually adjustable driver's seat | — | std |
| Rhombus cloth seating surfaces | — | std |
Interior5 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-dimming interior rearview mirror | — | std |
| Carbon Fiber Interior Trim | std | — |
| Center & door armrest stitching | — | std |
| Leather gearshift knob/handle | — | std |
| Leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel | — | std |
Exterior18 differ · 18 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 16-inch two-tone machined aluminum-alloy wheels | — | std |
| 19-inch M Dual-spoke Bicolor Black 792M wheels | std | — |
| Adaptive Full LED Lights | std | — |
| All-Season Runflat Tires | std | — |
| BMW Individual Paint | std | — |
| Body-colored bumpers | — | std |
| Extended Shadowline Trim | std | — |
| Heated side mirrors | — | std |
| LED headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) | — | std |
| LED taillights | — | std |
| M Performance Exhaust | std | — |
| M Performance Rear Spoiler in Carbon Fiber | std | — |
| M Shadowline Lights | std | — |
| M Sport Package Professional | std | — |
| Power-adjustable, manual folding, side mirrors | — | std |
| Rain-sensing wipers | — | std |
| Shadowline Package | std | — |
| Automatic headlights | — | std |
Powertrain4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive | std | — |
| Front-wheel drive | — | std |
| 8-speed Steptronic transmission | std | — |
| TwinPower Turbo and 48-volt mild hybrid technology | std | — |
Chassis1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| M Sport Brakes | std | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPBMW 3 Series
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Volkswagen Jetta
Top recalls
- critical Electrical System 26V138000 · 48,165 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $75,200 (base trim) | $23,995 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $75,200 1 trims | $23,995 – $33,745 5 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | 330i xDrive Sedan | Jetta |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 29 | 34 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,850 | $1,950 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | — | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
| Powertrain warranty | — | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | 3 yr |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 BMW 3 Series or the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
The Volkswagen Jetta wins clearly, 89.2 to 69.1, on price, tech & comfort, fuel & range. The BMW 3 Series is ahead on performance and safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta scores 89.2 and the 2026 BMW 3 Series 69.1. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2026 BMW 3 Series or the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta starts lower — $23,995 against $75,200, a gap of $51,205 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 BMW 3 Series or the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
2026 BMW 3 Series: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 0 recalls. 2026 Volkswagen Jetta: 5 NHTSA stars, grade B, 1 recall. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2026 BMW 3 Series and the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
Where the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta wins: it lists 17 standard driver-assist features against 5, starts $51,205 lower ($23,995 against $75,200 base MSRP), and lists more comfort and tech equipment (14 points against 6 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½). Where the 2026 BMW 3 Series answers: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (1 against 6 filed with NHTSA) and makes 386 hp against 158. What they share: 5 NHTSA stars and 5 seats.