Head-to-head
2026 Toyota Corolla vs 2026 Volkswagen Jetta
The Toyota Corolla wins clearly, 94.5 to 83.7, on tech & comfort, fuel & range, price. The Volkswagen Jetta is ahead on warranty and space & cargo.
A
2026 Toyota Corolla
The 2026 Toyota Corolla is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas compact sedan with 12 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Corolla Hybrid, …
vs
B2026 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 …
More Toyota Corolla head-to-heads More Volkswagen Jetta head-to-heads Every Corolla vs Jetta model year
Verdict · default weights
2026 Toyota Corolla
Clear winThe Toyota Corolla wins clearly, 94.5 to 83.7, on tech & comfort, fuel & range, price. The Volkswagen Jetta is ahead on warranty and space & cargo.
Tech & comfort 2026 Toyota Corolla leads by 53.3
Fuel & range 2026 Toyota Corolla leads by 31.2
Warranty 2026 Volkswagen Jetta leads by 26.5
| Category · weight | 2026 Toyota Corollaoverall 94.5 | 2026 Volkswagen Jettaoverall 83.7 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 100 | 95.5 | |||||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | |||||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 68.8 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 90.5 | 89 | |||||||||||||||
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 | 95.3 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 95.5 | 94.8 | |||||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 100 | 46.7 | |||||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | |||||||||||||||||
| Warrantyw 2 | 73.5 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Basic and powertrain coverage in years and miles. | |||||||||||||||||
| Overall | 94.5 | 83.7 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · all 7 categories compared
Toyota Corolla: base trim LE FWD · Volkswagen Jetta: base trim S FWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2026 Toyota Corolla wins
- It lists 30 standard driver-assist features against 17.
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (30 points against 14 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It is rated 50 combined against 34 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
Where the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta answers
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (6 against 18 filed with NHTSA).
- It is covered for 50,000 miles basic against 36,000.
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
52 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Toyota CorollaLE FWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $22,925 | $23,995 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | naturally aspirated | twin turbo |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 1,987 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 2.0-Liter Dynamic Force 4-Cylinder DOHC 16-Valve | 1.5L inline four cylinder, 16V, turbocharged/intercooled, TSI |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | TSI |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 16-Valve | DOHC |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 169 hp | 158 hp |
| Torque | 151 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 32 mpg | 29 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 35 mpg | 34 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 41 mpg | 40 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | — | 3.24 |
| Transmission speeds | — | 8 |
| Transmission type | cvt | automatic hybrid |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 5.3 in | 5.5 in |
| Overall height | 56.5 in | 57.7 in |
| Overall length | 182 in | 187 in |
| Overall width | 70.1 in | 70.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 106 in | 106 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | — | 51.2 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 13.1 cu-ft | 14.1 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | 88.6 cu-ft | 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) | 2,955 lbs | 2,998 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 2,955 lbs | 2,998 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | — | 4,167 lbs |
| Payload capacity | — | 915 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Independent MacPherson strut front suspension with stabilizer bar | strut-type with lower control arms, coil springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar |
| Rear suspension type | Torsion beam rear suspension | torsion beam, coil springs, telescopic dampers |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion | rack and pinion, electric power assist |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 35.6 ft | 35.8 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 274 mm | 287 mm |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | vented disc |
| Parking brake type | Automatic Electric Parking Brake | electro-mechanical |
| Rear brake diameter | 259 mm | 272 mm |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 16 in | 16 in |
| Wheel material | steel | alloy |
| Wheel width | — | 6.5 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | P205/55R16 | 205/60 R16 92H |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 13.2 gal | 12.8 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | Toyota | Volkswagen Car-Net |
| Connected services trial (premium tier) | 60 months | — |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | 60 months | — |
| 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
103 features · differences first, then sharedSafety27 differ · 37 listed
| Feature | Toyota CorollaLE FWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Front Assist (Forward Collision Warning & Automatic Emergency Braking w/ Pedestrian & Cyclist Monitoring) | — | std |
| Rear Traffic Alert | — | std |
| Ten airbags — includes driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver knee airbag, front passenger seat cushion airbag, rear seat-mounted side airbags, and front and rear side curtain airbags | std | — |
| 3-point seatbelts for all seating positions; driver-side Emergency Locking Retractor and Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor on all passenger belts | std | — |
| 3-point seatbelts with tensioner height adjust | — | std |
| Adjustable front shoulder anchors, driver and front passenger seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters | std | — |
| Automatic Post-Collision Braking System | — | std |
| Child-protector rear door locks | std | — |
| Driver and front passenger Whiplash-Injury-Lessening seats | std | — |
| Dynamic Radar Cruise Control | std | — |
| Electric Parking Brake | std | — |
| Energy-absorbing collapsible steering column | std | — |
| Front and rear energy-absorbing crumple zones with side-impact door beams | std | — |
| Head-impact protection structure | std | — |
| High Beam Control (Light Assist) | std | — |
| High-tensile-strength steel body panels | std | — |
| Hill Start Assist Control | std | — |
| Integrated backup camera with projected path | 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 |
| Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist | std | — |
| LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) includes lower anchors on outboard rear seats and tether anchors on all rear seats | std | — |
| Rearview Camera | — | std |
| Road Sign Assist | std | — |
| Ten airbags — includes driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver knee airbag, front passenger seat cushion airbag, rear seat-mounted side airbags, and front and rear side curtain airbags | std | — |
| Toyota Safety Sense™ 3.0 | std | — |
| Engine immobilizer | std | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop & Go | std | std |
| Front Assist (Forward Collision Warning & Automatic Emergency Braking w/ Pedestrian & Cyclist Monitoring) | std | std |
| Dual front & side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags | std | std |
| Dual front & side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags | std | std |
| Dual front & side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags | std | std |
| Lane Assist (Lane Keeping System) | std | std |
| Active Side Assist (Blind Spot Monitor) | std | std |
| Anti-Lock Braking System | std | std |
| Stability Control | std | std |
| Tire pressure monitoring system | std | std |
Infotainment17 differ · 17 listed
| Feature | Toyota CorollaLE FWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi Hotspot | — | std |
| Tilt/telescopic 3-spoke steering wheel with audio, Multi-Information Display, Bluetooth® hands-free phone, voice command, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist controls | std | — |
| 4-speaker sound system | — | std |
| 8-in. Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen with six speakers, wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ compatibility, SiriusXM® 3-month trial subscription. | std | — |
| Bluetooth connectivity | — | std |
| Drive Connect — includes Cloud Navigation with Google Points of Interest (POI) data, Intelligent Assistant with "Hey, Toyota", and Destination Assist. Subscription required after trial. 4G network dependent. | std | — |
| MIB3 Composition Media 8-in touchscreen, USB-C (2 data & charge ports) | — | std |
| Remote Connect — remotely interact with your vehicle through the Toyota app via your smartwatch. Subscription required after trial. 4G network dependent. | std | — |
| Safety Connect® — includes Emergency Assistance button, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification and Stolen Vehicle Locator. Subscription required after trial. 4G network dependent. | std | — |
| Service Connect — receive personalized maintenance updates and vehicle health reports. Subscription required after trial. 4G network dependent. | std | — |
| Tilt/telescopic 3-spoke steering wheel with audio, Multi-Information Display, Bluetooth® hands-free phone, voice command, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist controls | std | — |
| Two front USB-C ports | std | — |
| Two rear USB-C ports | std | — |
| Volkswagen Digital Cockpit (8-inch display) | — | std |
| Wi-Fi Connect — With AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot and Integrated Streaming with Apple Music® and Amazon Music compatibility. Subscription required. 30 days or up to 3GB trial included. 4G network dependent. | std | — |
| Wireless App-Connect (CarPlay, AndroidAuto, MirrorLink) w/ multi-phone pairing capability | — | std |
| Wireless charging | opt | — |
Convenience6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Toyota CorollaLE FWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Key System on front doors and trunk with Push Button Start, remote keyless entry system with lock, two-stage unlock, panic, and trunk-release functions | opt | — |
| LE Premium Package: Includes Smart Key System on front doors and trunk with Push Button Start, remote keyless entry system with lock, panic and trunk-release functions; 16-in. alloy wheels and P205/55R16 tires; and Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging | opt | — |
| Multi-function in-key remote keyless entry system with lock, unlock, panic, and trunk-release functions | std | — |
| One 12V auxiliary power outlet | std | — |
| Power door locks with automatic locking feature | std | — |
| Front and rear power windows with one-touch auto up/down | std | — |
Climate2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Toyota CorollaLE FWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic climate control with dust and pollen filter, and push-button controls | std | — |
| Climatronic Touch dual-zone automatic climate control | — | std |
Seating5 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Toyota CorollaLE FWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 60/40 split fold-down rear seat with center armrest and two cup holders | std | — |
| Fabric-trimmed 6-way adjustable driver's seat and 4-way adjustable front passenger seat | std | — |
| Front comfort seats | — | std |
| Manually adjustable driver's seat | — | std |
| Rear seat center armrest with cup holders | std | — |
| Rhombus cloth seating surfaces | std | std |
Interior14 differ · 14 listed
| Feature | Toyota CorollaLE FWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-dimming interior rearview mirror | — | std |
| 7-in. Digital Gauge Cluster | std | — |
| Center & door armrest stitching | — | std |
| Center console with storage compartment | std | — |
| Digital clock | std | — |
| Front- and rear-door storage pockets | std | — |
| Leather gearshift knob/handle | — | std |
| Leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel | — | std |
| Overhead console with maplights | std | — |
| Passenger-side glove compartment | std | — |
| Two front cup holders | std | — |
| Two rear cup holders | std | — |
| Day/night rearview mirror | std | — |
| Driver and front passenger sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors | opt | — |
Exterior16 differ · 19 listed
| Feature | Toyota CorollaLE FWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 16-in. alloy wheels and P205/55R16 tires | opt | — |
| 16-in. steel wheels with covers and P205/55R16 tires | std | — |
| 16-inch two-tone machined aluminum-alloy wheels | — | std |
| Black front grille | std | — |
| Body-colored bumpers | — | std |
| Color-keyed outside door handles | std | — |
| Color-keyed power outside mirrors with Blind Spot Monitor warning indicators | std | — |
| Color-keyed roof-mounted shark-fin antenna | std | — |
| Intermittent windshield wipers | std | — |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | std | — |
| LED headlights | std | — |
| Power-adjustable, manual folding, side mirrors | — | std |
| Rain-sensing wipers | — | std |
| Spare Tire/Wheel: Tire Repair Kit | std | — |
| Automatic headlights | — | std |
| Rear window defogger with timer | std | — |
| Heated side mirrors | std | std |
| LED headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) | std | std |
| LED taillights | std | std |
Powertrain1 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Toyota CorollaLE FWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic engine shutoff | std | — |
| Front-wheel drive | std | std |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPToyota Corolla
Safety Signal 97 A
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 1
Owner complaints 18 · 6 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Unspecified (8), Service Brakes (3), Air Bags (2)
Top recalls
- minor Exterior Lighting 26V110000 · 86 vehicles
Volkswagen Jetta
Safety Signal 85 B
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 1 · 1 critical
Owner complaints 6 · 0 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Electrical System (3), Forward Collision Avoidance (3), Unspecified (2)
Top recalls
- critical Electrical System 26V138000 · 48,165 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Toyota CorollaLE FWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $22,925 (base trim) | $23,995 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $22,925 – $29,140 8 trims | $23,995 – $33,745 5 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV, GAS | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Corolla Hybrid | Jetta |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 50 | 34 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $1,350 | $1,950 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi | — |
| Roadside assistance | 2 yr | 3 yr |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 Toyota Corolla or the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
The Toyota Corolla wins clearly, 94.5 to 83.7, on tech & comfort, fuel & range, price. The Volkswagen Jetta is ahead on warranty and space & cargo. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Toyota Corolla scores 94.5 and the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta 83.7. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2026 Toyota Corolla or the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
The 2026 Toyota Corolla starts lower — $22,925 against $23,995, a gap of $1,070 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 Toyota Corolla or the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
2026 Toyota Corolla: 5 NHTSA stars, 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 Toyota Corolla and the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
Where the 2026 Toyota Corolla wins: it lists 30 standard driver-assist features against 17, lists more comfort and tech equipment (30 points against 14 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), and is rated 50 combined against 34 (EPA mpg or MPGe). Where the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta answers: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (6 against 18 filed with NHTSA) and is covered for 50,000 miles basic against 36,000. What they share: 5 NHTSA stars and 5 seats.