Head-to-head
2027 Aston Martin DB12 S vs 2027 Volkswagen Jetta
The Aston Martin DB12 S wins clearly, 85 to 74.9, on tech & comfort, performance, safety. The Volkswagen Jetta is ahead on fuel & range and space & cargo.
A*
2027 Aston Martin DB12 S
The 2027 Aston Martin DB12 S is sold in the U.S. as a gas coupe. The most efficient version, the DB12 S, is EPA-rated at 17 mpg combined. NHTSA lists no recall …
vs
A2027 Volkswagen Jetta
The 2027 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 …
Verdict · default weights
2027 Aston Martin DB12 S
Clear winThe Aston Martin DB12 S wins clearly, 85 to 74.9, on tech & comfort, performance, safety. The Volkswagen Jetta is ahead on fuel & range and space & cargo.
Fuel & range 2027 Volkswagen Jetta leads by 56.5
Tech & comfort 2027 Aston Martin DB12 S leads by 51.5
Performance 2027 Aston Martin DB12 S leads by 74.3
| Category · weight | 2027 Aston Martin DB12 Soverall 85 | 2027 Volkswagen Jettaoverall 74.9 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 43.5 | 100 | |||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 100 | 87.9 | |||||||||
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 | 80 | 100 | |||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 100 | 25.7 | |||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 100 | 48.5 | |||||||||
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 | 85 | 74.9 | |||||||||
Trim vs trim · 5 of 7 categories compared
Aston Martin DB12 S: base trim DB12 S RWD · 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 2027 Aston Martin DB12 S wins
- It lists 29 standard driver-assist features against 15.
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (33 points against 16 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It makes 690 hp against 158.
Where the 2027 Volkswagen Jetta answers
- It costs $2,900 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,950 against $4,850).
- It is rated 34 combined against 17 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
What they share
- A Safety Signal of 100.
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 | Aston Martin DB12 SDB12 S RWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | — | $23,995 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | twin turbo | twin turbo |
| Cylinder count | 8 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 4,000 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | All-alloy quad overhead cam 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8 | 1.5L inline four cylinder, 16V, turbocharged/intercooled, TSI (EA211evo2) |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | TSI |
| Valve configuration | — | DOHC |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 690 hp | 158 hp |
| Torque | 590 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | — | 29 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 23.7 mpg | 34 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | — | 40 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.083:1 | 3.24 |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission type | automatic | automatic hybrid |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 4.7 in | 5.5 in |
| Overall height | 50.8 in | 57.7 in |
| Overall length | 186 in | 187 in |
| Overall width | 78 in | 70.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 110 in | 106 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | — | 51.2 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | — | 14.1 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | — | 94.7 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 4 | 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) | — | 2,998 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | — | 4,167 lbs |
| Payload capacity | — | 915 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Independent double wishbone with coil springs and anti-roll bar | Strut-type with lower control arms, coil springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar |
| Rear suspension type | Multi-link with coil springs and anti-roll bar | Torsion beam, coil springs, telescopic dampers |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Variable electric power assistance rack and pinion (EPAS) | Rack and pinion: electric power assist |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 20.3 ft | 17.9 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 410 mm | 287 mm |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | vented disc |
| Parking brake type | Electric | electro-mechanical |
| Rear brake diameter | 360 mm | 272 mm |
| Rear brake type | Carbon ceramic disc with four-piston calipers | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 21 in | 16 in |
| Wheel material | forged alloy | alloy |
| Wheel width | — | 6.5 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | Front 275/35ZR21; Rear 325/30ZR21 | 205/60 R16 92H |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 20.5 gal | 12.8 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | — | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | — | myVW |
| 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
140 features · differences first, then sharedSafety32 differ · 38 listed
| Feature | Aston Martin DB12 SDB12 S RWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Front Assist (Forward Collision Warning & Automatic Emergency Braking w/ Pedestrian & Cyclist Monitoring) | — | std |
| 3D Surround View System (3D SVS) | std | — |
| Rear Cross Traffic Assist (RCTA) | std | — |
| Airbags - Driver & front passenger, with passenger deactivation | std | — |
| Dual front & side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags | — | std |
| Dual front & side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags | — | std |
| Lane Depature Warning (LDW) | std | — |
| Driver Attention Assist (DAA) | std | — |
| Front and rear parking sensors with visual indicator | std | — |
| Front and rear parking sensors with visual indicator | std | — |
| 3-point seatbelts with tensioner height adjust | — | std |
| Active rear brake lights | std | — |
| Automatic Emergency braking (AEB) | std | — |
| Automatic Post-Collision Braking System | — | std |
| Door Exit Assist (DEW) | std | — |
| Dynamic torque vectoring (DTV) | std | — |
| Electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) | std | — |
| Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) | std | — |
| Hands Off Detection (HOD) | std | — |
| High Beam Control (Light Assist) | std | — |
| Hydraulic brake assist (HBA) | std | — |
| Intelligent Crash Response System | — | std |
| IQ.DRIVE (Front Assist, Active Side Assist, Rear Traffic Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Lane Assist, Travel Assist, Emergency Assist) | — | std |
| Matrix High Beam Control (MHB) - Market Dependant | std | — |
| Positive torque control (PTC) | std | — |
| Rearview Camera | — | std |
| Seatbelt pre-tensioners | std | — |
| Seatbelts - Seatbelt occupancy detection and indication | std | — |
| Traction control (TC) | std | — |
| Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) | std | — |
| Tire pressure monitoring system | — | std |
| Vehicle alarm and immobiliser | std | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop & Go | std | std |
| Front Assist (Forward Collision Warning & Automatic Emergency Braking w/ Pedestrian & Cyclist Monitoring) | std | std |
| Lane Assist (Lane Keeping System) | std | std |
| Active Side Assist (Blind Spot Monitor) | std | std |
| Anti-Lock Braking System | std | std |
| Standard Electronic Stability Control | std | std |
Infotainment19 differ · 19 listed
| Feature | Aston Martin DB12 SDB12 S RWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| SOS Emergency Call (EU / Rus only) | std | — |
| myVW w/ available Wi-Fi | — | std |
| 10.25" TFT driver information display | std | — |
| 10.25" TFT Touch Screen Central Display | std | — |
| 390-watt 11 Speaker Aston Martin Audio System | std | — |
| 6-speaker sound system | — | std |
| AM/FM/HD/DAB radio | std | — |
| Apple CarPlay Ultra® | std | — |
| Bluetooth connectivity | — | std |
| Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity with audio streaming | std | — |
| MIB3 Composition Media 8-in touchscreen, USB-C (2 data & charge ports, 1 charge-only port), SiriusXM with 360L (3-mo Platinum Plan trial), voice control | — | std |
| Natural Voice control | std | — |
| Satellite navigation system | std | — |
| SiriusXM Satellite radio (US/CA only) | std | — |
| SiriusXM w/ 360L | — | std |
| USB ports (x2) | std | — |
| Volkswagen Digital Cockpit (8-inch display) | — | std |
| Wireless App-Connect (CarPlay, AndroidAuto, MirrorLink) w/ multi-phone pairing capability | — | std |
| Wireless charging | std | — |
Convenience5 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | Aston Martin DB12 SDB12 S RWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 12v charging socket | std | — |
| KESSY keyless access with push-button start | — | std |
| Keyless entry with remote central locking | std | — |
| Keyless start/stop button | std | — |
| Electric windows | std | — |
Climate2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Aston Martin DB12 SDB12 S RWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic 2-zone climate control | std | — |
| Climatronic Touch dual-zone automatic climate control | — | std |
Seating4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Aston Martin DB12 SDB12 S RWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Heated front seats | std | — |
| Front comfort seats | — | std |
| Manually adjustable driver's seat | — | std |
| Rhombus cloth seating surfaces | — | std |
Interior17 differ · 18 listed
| Feature | Aston Martin DB12 SDB12 S RWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| "Made in Great Britain" engine inspection plaque | std | — |
| Ambient lighting | std | — |
| Anodised aluminium sill plaques with Aston Martin wings | std | — |
| Cabin courtesy lighting | std | — |
| Carpeted cabin | std | — |
| Center & door armrest stitching | — | std |
| Door integrated puddle lighting | std | — |
| Door sill plaques - anodised with 'Aston Martin' wings | std | — |
| Door stowage pockets | std | — |
| Electric steering column tilt & reach adjustment | std | — |
| Front centre armrest | std | — |
| Front centre armrests with cubby stowage | std | — |
| Glovebox | std | — |
| Leather gearshift knob/handle | — | std |
| Leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel | — | std |
| Twin cupholders | std | — |
| Sun visors with illumintaed vanity mirrors | std | — |
| Auto-dimming interior rearview mirror | std | std |
Exterior22 differ · 26 listed
| Feature | Aston Martin DB12 SDB12 S RWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 16-inch two-tone machined aluminum-alloy wheels | — | std |
| 21" Forged Alloy Wheels | std | — |
| 6-Vane metal grille | std | — |
| Bi-LED headlights | std | — |
| Black bonnet mesh | std | — |
| Body-colored bumpers | — | std |
| Bright Chrome exhaust finishers | std | — |
| Bright Chrome side strakes | std | — |
| Deployable spoiler with Aston Martin Aeroblade™ system | std | — |
| Extruded Bonded Aluminium Body Structure with Composite Panels | std | — |
| Front 21''x 9.5J - AML Specific Michelin Pilot Sport S 5: 275/35/ZR21 | std | — |
| Gloss Black window surround (Coupe Only) | std | — |
| Heated side mirrors | — | std |
| Laminated windscreen with clear noise-insulation layer | std | — |
| LED High & Low beam headlamps with Auto High Beam (AHB), integrated direction indicator, daytime running lights, position lamp & lock/unlock graphic theatre | std | — |
| LED light blade tail lamps | std | — |
| LED rear fog and reverse lights | std | — |
| Power-adjustable, manual folding, side mirrors | — | std |
| Rear 21" x 11.5J - AML Specific Michelin Pilot Sport S 5: 325/30/ZR21 | std | — |
| Swan Wing opening, infinite stop, frameless doors | std | — |
| Two Door Coupe Body Style with 2+2 Seating | std | — |
| Heated rear window | std | — |
| LED headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) | std | std |
| LED taillights | std | std |
| Rain-sensing wipers | std | std |
| Automatic headlights | std | std |
Powertrain17 differ · 17 listed
| Feature | Aston Martin DB12 SDB12 S RWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Front-wheel drive | — | std |
| 4 driver selectable powertrain calibrations (GT, Sport, Sport +, Wet) | std | — |
| Acceleration: 0-62 (0-100km/h) in 3.5 seconds | std | — |
| All-alloy quad overhead cam, 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8 | std | — |
| Alloy torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft | std | — |
| Compression Ratio 8.6 | std | — |
| Direct Injection - Sequential electronic fuel injection | std | — |
| Dual Twin Scroll Turbochargers (one per bank) | std | — |
| Electronic differential (E-Diff) | std | — |
| Engine stop/start | std | — |
| Final drive ratio 3.083:1 | std | — |
| Four catalytic converters with oxygen sensors | std | — |
| Maximum power: 515kW (690 bhp / 700 PS) at 6000 rpm | std | — |
| Maximum speed: 202mph (325km/h) | std | — |
| Maximum torque: 800 Nm (590 lb ft) at 2750 - 6000 rpm | std | — |
| Rear mid-mounted ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox with electronic shift-by-wire control system | std | — |
| Wet sump pressurised system | std | — |
Chassis11 differ · 11 listed
| Feature | Aston Martin DB12 SDB12 S RWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 2.375 turns lock-to-lock | std | — |
| Adaptive Damping System (ADS) | std | — |
| Electric park brake | std | — |
| Front independent double wishbone design coil springs and anti-roll bar | std | — |
| Front ventilated two-piece carbon ceramic brake discs Ø410 X 38mm with six-piston calipers | std | — |
| Intelligent DTX Dampers utilising Skyhook Technology | std | — |
| Non-Isolated steering column | std | — |
| Rear carbon ceramic brake discs Ø360 x 38mm with four-piston calipers | std | — |
| Rear multi-link suspension, with coil springs and anti-roll bar | std | — |
| Speed-proportional steering with 13:09:01 ratio | std | — |
| Variable Electrical Power Assistance, rack & pinion steering system (EPAS) | std | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPAston Martin DB12 S
Safety Signal 100 A
NHTSA overall —
Frontal / side / rollover — / — / —
Recalls 0
Owner complaints —
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Volkswagen Jetta
Safety Signal 100 A
NHTSA overall —
Frontal / side / rollover — / — / —
Recalls 0
Owner complaints 1 · 0 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Electrical System (1), Power Train (1), Unspecified (1)
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Aston Martin DB12 SDB12 S RWD | Volkswagen JettaS FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — (base trim) | $23,995 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | — 1 trims | $23,995 – $33,795 5 trims |
| Powertrains | GAS | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | DB12 S | Jetta |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 17 | 34 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $4,850 | $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 2027 Aston Martin DB12 S or the 2027 Volkswagen Jetta?
The Aston Martin DB12 S wins clearly, 85 to 74.9, on tech & comfort, performance, safety. The Volkswagen Jetta is ahead on fuel & range and space & cargo. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2027 Aston Martin DB12 S scores 85 and the 2027 Volkswagen Jetta 74.9. 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 2027 Aston Martin DB12 S or the 2027 Volkswagen Jetta?
2027 Aston Martin DB12 S: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 0 recalls. 2027 Volkswagen Jetta: no NHTSA rating yet, 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 biggest differences between the 2027 Aston Martin DB12 S and the 2027 Volkswagen Jetta?
Where the 2027 Aston Martin DB12 S wins: it lists 29 standard driver-assist features against 15, lists more comfort and tech equipment (33 points against 16 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), and makes 690 hp against 158. Where the 2027 Volkswagen Jetta answers: it costs $2,900 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,950 against $4,850) and is rated 34 combined against 17 (EPA mpg or MPGe). What they share: a Safety Signal of 100.