2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT vs 2026 Volkswagen Jetta
The Volkswagen Jetta wins clearly, 87.2 to 59.1, on price, space & cargo, fuel & range. The Mercedes-Benz AMG GT is ahead on performance.
2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas compact sedan with 7 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the AMG GT 43 (…
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, 87.2 to 59.1, on price, space & cargo, fuel & range. The Mercedes-Benz AMG GT is ahead on performance.
| Category · weight | 2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG GToverall 59.1 | 2026 Volkswagen Jettaoverall 87.2 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 11.9 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | ||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 53.9 | 100 | ||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | ||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 77.6 | 77.7 | ||||||||||||
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 | 22.1 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | ||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 100 | 29.8 | ||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | ||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 100 | 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 | 59.1 | 87.2 | ||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Mercedes-Benz AMG GT: base trim AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ 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 2.
- It starts $178,205 lower ($23,995 against $202,200 base MSRP).
- It opens up to 51.2 cu ft of cargo against 11.3.
Where the 2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT answers
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (2 against 6 filed with NHTSA).
- It makes 603 hp against 158.
What they share
- The same equipment count.
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 | Mercedes-Benz AMG GTAMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ AWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $202,200 | $23,995 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | twin turbo | twin turbo |
| Cylinder count | 8 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 3,982 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | Handcrafted AMG 4.0L V8 biturbo | 1.5L inline four cylinder, 16V, turbocharged/intercooled, TSI |
| Fuel injection system | — | TSI |
| Valve configuration | — | DOHC |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 603 hp | 158 hp |
| Torque | 627 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 14 mpg | 29 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 16 mpg | 34 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 20 mpg | 40 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | — | 3.24 |
| Transmission speeds | 9 | 8 |
| Transmission type | AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G | automatic hybrid |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | — | 5.5 in |
| Overall height | 53.3 in | 57.7 in |
| Overall length | 186 in | 187 in |
| Overall width | 78.1 in | 70.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 106 in | 106 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 11.3 cu-ft | 51.2 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | — | 14.1 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | — | 94.7 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | — | 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) | — | 2,998 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,273 lbs | 2,998 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | — | 4,167 lbs |
| Payload capacity | — | 915 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Aluminum double wishbones with AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL, anti-dive control, coil springs and adaptive adjustable damping | strut-type with lower control arms, coil springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar |
| Rear suspension type | AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL with active anti-roll stabilization, coil springs and adaptive adjustable damping | torsion beam, coil springs, telescopic dampers |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | — | rack and pinion, electric power assist |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | — | 35.8 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 419 mm | 287 mm |
| Front brake type | Carbon ceramic disc with 6-piston fixed calipers | vented disc |
| Parking brake type | — | electro-mechanical |
| Rear brake diameter | 361 mm | 272 mm |
| Rear brake type | Carbon ceramic disc with 1-piston sliding calipers | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 21 in | 16 in |
| Wheel material | forged alloy | alloy |
| Wheel width | — | 6.5 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | Front: 295/30 R 21 / Rear: 305/30 R 21 | 205/60 R16 92H |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | — | 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
79 features · differences first, then sharedSafety20 differ · 20 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz AMG GTAMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ 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 360° Camera | 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 |
| 3-point seatbelts with tensioner height adjust | — | std |
| Active Side Assist (Blind Spot Monitor) | — | std |
| AMG Carbon Ceramic High Performance Composite Brake System with AMG Black Brake Calipers | std | — |
| Anti-Lock Braking System | — | std |
| Automatic Post-Collision Braking System | — | std |
| Driver Assistance Package | opt | — |
| 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 |
| Rearview Camera | — | std |
| Stability Control | — | std |
| Tire pressure monitoring system | — | std |
Infotainment15 differ · 15 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz AMG GTAMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ AWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi Hotspot | — | std |
| 11.9-inch Central Multimedia Display | std | — |
| 4-speaker sound system | — | std |
| AMG Track PACE | std | — |
| Bluetooth connectivity | — | std |
| Burmester® High-End 3D Surround Sound System | opt | — |
| Burmester® Surround Sound System | std | — |
| Head-Up Display | std | — |
| Leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel with touch control (DSG w/ shift paddles) | std | — |
| MBUX Infotainment and Navigation with Voice Control, including Natural Language Understanding and Keyword Activation ("Hey Mercedes"), and AMG-Specific Displays and Functions | std | — |
| MIB3 Composition Media 8-in touchscreen, USB-C (2 data & charge ports) | — | std |
| Volkswagen Digital Cockpit (8-inch display) | — | std |
| Wireless App-Connect (CarPlay, AndroidAuto, MirrorLink) w/ multi-phone pairing capability | — | std |
| Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | std | — |
| Wireless charging | std | — |
Climate1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz AMG GTAMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ AWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Climatronic Touch dual-zone automatic climate control | — | std |
Seating7 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz AMG GTAMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ AWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Heated front seats | std | — |
| Ventilated front seats | std | — |
| "+2" Rear Seats with Folding Backrests (no cost option) | opt | — |
| AMG Performance Seats with Additional Adjustability | std | — |
| Front comfort seats | — | std |
| Manually adjustable driver's seat | — | std |
| Rhombus cloth seating surfaces | — | std |
Interior7 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz AMG GTAMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ AWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-dimming interior rearview mirror | — | std |
| 12.3-inch Digital Instrument Cluster | std | — |
| AMG Performance Steering Wheel in Microfiber/Carbon Fiber Design | opt | — |
| Center & door armrest stitching | — | std |
| Leather gearshift knob/handle | — | std |
| Leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel | — | std |
| MANUFAKTUR Microfiber Headliner | opt | — |
Exterior17 differ · 17 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz AMG GTAMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ AWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 16-inch two-tone machined aluminum-alloy wheels | — | std |
| 21-inch AMG Forged Split 5-Spoke Wheels in Additional Finishes | opt | — |
| 21-inch AMG Forged Split 5-Spoke Wheels in Matte Grey (exclusive to AMG GT 63 PRO) | std | — |
| AMG Aerodynamics Package | std | — |
| AMG Carbon Fiber Package | std | — |
| AMG Extended Night Package | std | — |
| Body-colored bumpers | — | std |
| DIGITAL LIGHT Headlamps | std | — |
| Fixed Panoramic Sunroof | opt | — |
| Heated side mirrors | — | std |
| LED headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) | — | std |
| LED taillights | — | std |
| MANUFAKTUR Exclusive Paints (more than 50 choices) | opt | — |
| Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R Extreme Performance Sport Tires (no cost option) | opt | — |
| Power-adjustable, manual folding, side mirrors | — | std |
| Rain-sensing wipers | — | std |
| Automatic headlights | — | std |
Powertrain9 differ · 9 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz AMG GTAMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ AWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| AMG Performance 4MATIC+ Fully Variable All-Wheel Drive | std | — |
| Front-wheel drive | — | std |
| AMG DYNAMIC PLUS Package with AMG Dynamic Engine Mounts, Electronically Controlled AMG Limited Slip Rear Differential, RACE Drive Program with Drift mode, and Lowered Suspension | std | — |
| AMG Performance Exhaust | std | — |
| AMG SPEEDSHIFT® MCT 9G Transmission | std | — |
| Drive Mode Selection | std | — |
| Enhanced Cooling Package for Engine, Drivetrain and Brakes | std | — |
| Handcrafted AMG 4.0L V8 Biturbo Engine with Bespoke Tuning Delivers 603 hp and 627 lb-ft | std | — |
| VAQ limited-slip differential | std | — |
Chassis3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz AMG GTAMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ AWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5-Degree Active Rear Axle Steering | std | — |
| AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL Suspension with Active Roll Stabilization | std | — |
| Front Axle Lift System (enables front end to raise by 1.2 inches making it easier to enter steep driveways or drive over speed bumps) | opt | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPMercedes-Benz AMG GT
Top recalls
- high Electrical System 26V281000 · 144,049 vehicles
Volkswagen Jetta
Top recalls
- critical Electrical System 26V138000 · 48,165 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Mercedes-Benz AMG GTAMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ AWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $202,200 (base trim) | $23,995 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $202,200 1 trims | $23,995 – $33,745 5 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV, GAS | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | AMG GT 43 4matic Plus | Jetta |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 21 | 34 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $3,900 | $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 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT or the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
The Volkswagen Jetta wins clearly, 87.2 to 59.1, on price, space & cargo, fuel & range. The Mercedes-Benz AMG GT is ahead on performance. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta scores 87.2 and the 2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 59.1. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT or the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta starts lower — $23,995 against $202,200, a gap of $178,205 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT or the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 1 recall. 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 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT and the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
Where the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta wins: it lists 17 standard driver-assist features against 2, starts $178,205 lower ($23,995 against $202,200 base MSRP), and opens up to 51.2 cu ft of cargo against 11.3. Where the 2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT answers: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (2 against 6 filed with NHTSA) and makes 603 hp against 158. What they share: the same equipment count.