2026 BMW 3 Series vs 2026 Volkswagen Jetta
The BMW 3 Series edges it, 93.2 to 89.8, on performance, safety. The Volkswagen Jetta is ahead on fuel & range. Raise the fuel & range weight from 3 to 4.5 and it flips.
2026 BMW 3 Series
The 2026 BMW 3 Series is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid compact 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 BMW 3 Series
Slight edgeThe BMW 3 Series edges it, 93.2 to 89.8, on performance, safety. The Volkswagen Jetta is ahead on fuel & range. Raise the fuel & range weight from 3 to 4.5 and it flips.
| Category · weight | 2026 Volkswagen Jettaoverall 89.8 | 2026 BMW 3 Seriesoverall 93.2 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | no data | no data |
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 75 |
| Safetyw 4 | 92.5 | 100 |
| Space & cargow 2 | 100 | 100 |
| Performancew 2 | 59.1 | 100 |
| Tech & comfortw 3 | no data | no data |
| Warrantyw 2 | no data | no data |
| Overall | 89.8 | 93.2 |
Volkswagen Jetta: model-level data · BMW 3 Series: base trim M340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Raise the fuel & range weight from 3 to 4.5 and the answer flips.
Specifications side by side
24 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Volkswagen Jetta | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | — | $75,200 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | — | twin turbo |
| Cylinder count | — | 6 |
| Engine displacement | — | 2,998 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | — | 3.0L Inline 6-cylinder TwinPower Turbo with 48-volt mild hybrid |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | — | 386 hp |
| Torque | — | 398 lb-ft |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | — | 2.81 |
| Transmission speeds | — | 8 |
| Transmission type | — | automatic |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | — | 5.1 in |
| Overall height | — | 56.7 in |
| Overall length | — | 186 in |
| Overall width | — | 71.9 in |
| Wheelbase | — | 112 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | — | 16.9 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | — | 5 |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (minimum) | — | 4,008 lbs |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | — | Electric Power Steering (EPS) with Servotronic function |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | — | 19.7 ft |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | — | 19 in |
| Wheel width | — | 8 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | — | 225/40 R19 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | — | 15.6 gal |
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
21 features · differences first, then sharedSafety4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen Jetta | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Surround View with 3D View | — | std |
| Rear View Camera | — | std |
| Active Park Distance Control | — | opt |
| Parking Assistant Plus | — | opt |
Infotainment2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen Jetta | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD |
|---|---|---|
| BMW Curved Display with Head-Up Display | — | opt |
| Harman Kardon Surround Sound System | — | opt |
Seating1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen Jetta | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Extended Merino Leather Upholstery | — | std |
Interior1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen Jetta | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Fiber Interior Trim | — | std |
Exterior9 differ · 9 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen Jetta | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD |
|---|---|---|
| 19-inch M Dual-spoke Bicolor Black 792M wheels | — | std |
| Adaptive Full LED Lights | — | opt |
| All-Season Runflat Tires | — | std |
| BMW Individual Paint | — | std |
| Extended Shadowline Trim | — | opt |
| M Performance Exhaust | — | std |
| M Performance Rear Spoiler in Carbon Fiber | — | std |
| M Shadowline Lights | — | opt |
| M Sport Package Professional | — | opt |
Powertrain3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen Jetta | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD |
|---|---|---|
| xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive | — | std |
| 8-speed STEPTRONIC transmission | — | std |
| TwinPower Turbo and 48-volt mild hybrid technology | — | std |
Chassis1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen Jetta | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD |
|---|---|---|
| M Sport Brakes | — | opt |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPVolkswagen Jetta
Top recalls
- criticalElectrical System26V138000 · 48,165 vehicles
BMW 3 Series
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Volkswagen Jetta | BMW 3 SeriesM340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition AWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — | $75,200 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | — | $75,200 1 trims |
| Powertrains | GAS | HEV |
| EPA configuration compared | Jetta | 330i xDrive Sedan |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 34 | 29 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $1,850 | $2,650 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | — | — |
| Powertrain warranty | — | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta or the 2026 BMW 3 Series?
The BMW 3 Series edges it, 93.2 to 89.8, on performance, safety. The Volkswagen Jetta is ahead on fuel & range. Raise the fuel & range weight from 3 to 4.5 and it flips. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 BMW 3 Series scores 93.2 and the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta 89.8. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta or the 2026 BMW 3 Series?
2026 Volkswagen Jetta: 5 NHTSA stars, grade B, 1 recall. 2026 BMW 3 Series: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 0 recalls. 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 differences between the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta and the 2026 BMW 3 Series?
This page puts 24 specifications and 21 equipment items side by side, with the better value marked on every row where the direction is unambiguous and the differences listed before the things both cars share.