2026 Porsche Taycan vs 2026 Volkswagen Jetta
The Volkswagen Jetta wins clearly, 82.4 to 59.1, on price, tech & comfort, safety. The Porsche Taycan is ahead on fuel & range and performance.
2026 Porsche Taycan
The 2026 Porsche Taycan is sold in the U.S. as an electric midsize sedan with 17 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the Taycan 4 Perf Battery …
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, 82.4 to 59.1, on price, tech & comfort, safety. The Porsche Taycan is ahead on fuel & range and performance.
| Category · weight | 2026 Porsche Taycanoverall 59.1 | 2026 Volkswagen Jettaoverall 82.4 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 22.7 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | ||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 41.5 | ||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | ||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 75 | 88.8 | ||||||||||||
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 | 75.9 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | ||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 100 | 51.7 | ||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | ||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 7.1 | 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 | 82.4 | ||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Porsche Taycan: base trim Taycan RWD · 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 0.
- It starts $81,805 lower ($23,995 against $105,800 base MSRP).
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (14 points against 1 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
Where the 2026 Porsche Taycan answers
- It is rated 91 combined against 34 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
- It costs $1,100 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($850 against $1,950).
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 | Porsche TaycanTaycan RWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $105,800 | $23,995 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | — | twin turbo |
| Cylinder count | — | 4 |
| Engine displacement | — | 1,498 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | — | 1.5L inline four cylinder, 16V, turbocharged/intercooled, TSI |
| Fuel injection system | — | TSI |
| Valve configuration | — | DOHC |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 402 hp | 158 hp |
| Torque | 272 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 91 mpg | 29 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 79 mpg | 34 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 94 mpg | 40 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | — | 3.24 |
| Transmission speeds | — | 8 |
| Transmission type | Two-speed dog-ring rear | automatic hybrid |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | — | 5.5 in |
| Overall height | 54.2 in | 57.7 in |
| Overall length | 195 in | 187 in |
| Overall width | 77.4 in | 70.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 114 in | 106 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | — | 51.2 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 10.7 cu-ft | 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) | 4,630 lbs | 2,998 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,630 lbs | 2,998 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 6,162 lbs | 4,167 lbs |
| Payload capacity | 1,532 lbs | 915 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Aluminum double-wishbone, 2-chamber adaptive air suspension with PASM | strut-type with lower control arms, coil springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar |
| Rear suspension type | Aluminum multi-link axle with subframe, 2-chamber adaptive air suspension with PASM | torsion beam, coil springs, telescopic dampers |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electromechanical | rack and pinion, electric power assist |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 38.4 ft | 35.8 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 360 mm | 287 mm |
| Front brake type | Steel, internally vented | vented disc |
| Parking brake type | — | electro-mechanical |
| Rear brake diameter | 358 mm | 272 mm |
| Rear brake type | Steel, internally vented | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 19 in | 16 in |
| Wheel material | — | alloy |
| Wheel width | — | 6.5 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 225/55 R19 / 275/45 R19 | 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
89 features · differences first, then sharedSafety17 differ · 17 listed
| Feature | Porsche TaycanTaycan RWD | 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Rearview Camera | — | std |
| Stability Control | — | std |
| Tire pressure monitoring system | — | std |
Infotainment6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Porsche TaycanTaycan RWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi Hotspot | — | std |
| 4-speaker sound system | — | std |
| Bluetooth connectivity | — | 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 |
Climate1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Porsche TaycanTaycan RWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Climatronic Touch dual-zone automatic climate control | — | std |
Seating3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Porsche TaycanTaycan RWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Front comfort seats | — | std |
| Manually adjustable driver's seat | — | std |
| Rhombus cloth seating surfaces | — | std |
Interior5 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | Porsche TaycanTaycan RWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-dimming interior rearview mirror | — | std |
| Center & door armrest stitching | — | std |
| Leather gearshift knob/handle | — | std |
| Leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel | — | std |
| MY26 MSRP | std | — |
Exterior22 differ · 22 listed
| Feature | Porsche TaycanTaycan RWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 16-inch two-tone machined aluminum-alloy wheels | — | std |
| Body-colored bumpers | — | std |
| Curb weight (lbs) | std | — |
| Drag coefficient (Cd) | std | — |
| Gross Vehicle Weight (lbs) | std | — |
| Heated side mirrors | — | std |
| Height (inches) | std | — |
| LED headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) | — | std |
| LED taillights | — | std |
| Length (inches) | std | — |
| Power-adjustable, manual folding, side mirrors | — | std |
| Rain-sensing wipers | — | std |
| Standard tire type | std | — |
| Tires: front/rear | std | — |
| Track width front (inches) | std | — |
| Track width rear (inches) | std | — |
| Wheel size and design | std | — |
| Wheelbase (inches) | std | — |
| Wheels: front/rear | std | — |
| Width (inches) | std | — |
| Width w/mirrors (inches) | std | — |
| Automatic headlights | — | std |
Powertrain21 differ · 21 listed
| Feature | Porsche TaycanTaycan RWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Front-wheel drive | — | std |
| Acceleration 0-60 mph, w/Launch Control (sec) | std | — |
| Acceleration 1/4 mile, w/Launch Control (sec) | std | — |
| Cell type | std | — |
| Charge Time, 0% -100% SoC @ 9.6 kW (hrs) | std | — |
| Charge Time, 10% -80% SoC @ 150 kW (min) | std | — |
| Charge Time, 10% -80% SoC @ 270 kW (min) | std | — |
| Drivetrain | std | — |
| Energy Content, gross/net (kWh) | std | — |
| Maximum Regenerative Braking Force | std | — |
| Motor type, front/rear | std | — |
| MPGe (combined, city/hwy) | std | — |
| Pack configuration | std | — |
| Pack weight (lbs) | std | — |
| Power to weight ratio (lbs/hp) | std | — |
| Pulse Inverter Amperage, front/rear | std | — |
| Range (miles) | std | — |
| Top track speed (mph) | std | — |
| Total maximum power, hp | std | — |
| Total maximum torque (lb.-ft.) | std | — |
| Transmission type, front/rear | std | — |
Chassis11 differ · 11 listed
| Feature | Porsche TaycanTaycan RWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Caliper color | std | — |
| Caliper type | std | — |
| Front axle | std | — |
| Number of pistons (front/rear) | std | — |
| Rear axle | std | — |
| Rotor construction | std | — |
| Rotor diameter (front/rear) mm | std | — |
| Rotor thickness (front/rear) mm | std | — |
| Steering ratio | std | — |
| Steering system | std | — |
| Turning circle (ft) | std | — |
Cargo3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Porsche TaycanTaycan RWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo area volume (cu.-ft.) front | std | — |
| Cargo area volume (cu.-ft.) rear | std | — |
| Payload, maximum (lbs) | std | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPPorsche Taycan
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Volkswagen Jetta
Top recalls
- critical Electrical System 26V138000 · 48,165 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Porsche TaycanTaycan RWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $105,800 (base trim) | $23,995 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $105,800 – $243,700 16 trims | $23,995 – $33,745 5 trims |
| Powertrains | BEV | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Taycan Performance Battery | Jetta |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 91 | 34 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $850 | $1,950 |
| EV range | 274 mi | — |
| 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 Porsche Taycan or the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
The Volkswagen Jetta wins clearly, 82.4 to 59.1, on price, tech & comfort, safety. The Porsche Taycan is ahead on fuel & range and performance. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta scores 82.4 and the 2026 Porsche Taycan 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 Porsche Taycan or the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta starts lower — $23,995 against $105,800, a gap of $81,805 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 Porsche Taycan or the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
2026 Porsche Taycan: no NHTSA rating yet, 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 Porsche Taycan and the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
Where the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta wins: it lists 17 standard driver-assist features against 0, starts $81,805 lower ($23,995 against $105,800 base MSRP), and lists more comfort and tech equipment (14 points against 1 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½). Where the 2026 Porsche Taycan answers: it is rated 91 combined against 34 (EPA mpg or MPGe) and costs $1,100 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($850 against $1,950).