2027 Audi A3 vs 2027 Volkswagen Jetta
The Volkswagen Jetta wins clearly, 97.8 to 68.3, on tech & comfort, price, fuel & range. The Audi A3 is ahead on performance.
2027 Audi A3
The 2027 Audi A3 is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact sedan. The most efficient version, the A3 quattro, is EPA-rated at 28 mpg combined. NHTSA lists no recall …
2027 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 …
2027 Volkswagen Jetta
Clear winThe Volkswagen Jetta wins clearly, 97.8 to 68.3, on tech & comfort, price, fuel & range. The Audi A3 is ahead on performance.
| Category · weight | 2027 Volkswagen Jettaoverall 97.8 | 2027 Audi A3overall 68.3 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 100 | 59 | |||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | |||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 71.5 | |||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 100 | 83.3 | |||||||||
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 | 100 | 72.6 | |||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 78.4 | 100 | |||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 100 | 12.5 | |||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | |||||||||||
| Warrantyw 2 | 100 | 100 | |||||||||
Basic and powertrain coverage in years and miles. | |||||||||||
| Overall | 97.8 | 68.3 | |||||||||
Trim vs trim · all 7 categories compared
Volkswagen Jetta: base trim S FWD · Audi A3: base trim A3 quattro AWD. 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 2027 Volkswagen Jetta wins
- It lists 15 standard driver-assist features against 5.
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (16 points against 2 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It starts $16,705 lower ($23,995 against $40,700 base MSRP).
Where the 2027 Audi A3 answers
- It turns out 236 lb-ft of torque against 184.
- It makes 201 hp against 158.
What they share
- A Safety Signal of 100.
- 5 seats.
- A 4-year basic warranty.
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
53 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Volkswagen JettaS FWD | Audi A3A3 quattro AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $23,995 | $40,700 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | twin turbo | — |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 1,498 cc | 1,984 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 1.5L inline four cylinder, 16V, turbocharged/intercooled, TSI (EA211evo2) | 2.0L TFSI 4 cyl |
| Fuel injection system | TSI | — |
| Valve configuration | DOHC | DOHC 16-Valve |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 158 hp | 201 hp |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft | 236 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 29 mpg | 24 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 34 mpg | 28 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 40 mpg | 33 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.24 | 4.167 |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | 7 |
| Transmission type | automatic hybrid | S-tronic |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 5.5 in | — |
| Overall height | 57.7 in | 56.2 in |
| Overall length | 187 in | 177 in |
| Overall width | 70.8 in | 71.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 106 in | 104 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 51.2 cu-ft | — |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 14.1 cu-ft | 8.3 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | 94.7 cu-ft | — |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 38.5 in | 36.8 in |
| Second-row headroom | 37.2 in | — |
| Third-row headroom | — | 36.6 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 41.1 in | 41.2 in |
| Second-row legroom | 37.4 in | — |
| Third-row legroom | — | 35.2 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 | Strut-type with lower control arms, coil springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar | Mcpherson strut front axle |
| Rear suspension type | Torsion beam, coil springs, telescopic dampers | Four-link rear suspension |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Rack and pinion: electric power assist | Electromechanical steering with speed-dependent power assistance |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 17.9 ft | 36.5 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 287 mm | 306 mm |
| Front brake type | vented disc | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | electro-mechanical | Electro-mechanical |
| Rear brake diameter | 272 mm | 272 mm |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 16 in | 17 in |
| Wheel material | alloy | — |
| Wheel width | 6.5 in | — |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 205/60 R16 92H | 225/45 R17 91H all-season |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 12.8 gal | 14.5 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | — |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | myVW | — |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 55.9 in | 54.8 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | 54 in | — |
| Third-row shoulder room | — | 53 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
71 features · differences first, then sharedSafety16 differ · 18 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen JettaS FWD | Audi A3A3 quattro AWD |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — |
| 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 | — |
| Automatic Post-Collision Braking System | std | — |
| Front Brakes | — | 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 | — |
| Parking Brake: Electro-mechanical | — | std |
| Rear Brakes | — | std |
| Rearview Camera | std | — |
| Tire pressure monitoring system | std | — |
| Anti-Lock Braking System Standard, All Four Wheels, with Electronic Brake Force Distribution | std | std |
| Standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | std | std |
Infotainment9 differ · 9 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen JettaS FWD | Audi A3A3 quattro AWD |
|---|---|---|
| myVW w/ available Wi-Fi | std | — |
| 6-speaker sound system | std | — |
| Bluetooth connectivity | 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 | — |
| New Vehicle Limited Warranty: 4 year / 50,000 mi whichever occurs first | — | std |
| SiriusXM w/ 360L | std | — |
| Starting MSRP (USD) | — | std |
| Volkswagen Digital Cockpit (8-inch display) | std | — |
| Wireless App-Connect (CarPlay, AndroidAuto, MirrorLink) w/ multi-phone pairing capability | std | — |
Convenience1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen JettaS FWD | Audi A3A3 quattro AWD |
|---|---|---|
| KESSY keyless access with push-button start | std | — |
Climate1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen JettaS FWD | Audi A3A3 quattro AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Climatronic Touch dual-zone automatic climate control | std | — |
Seating3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen JettaS FWD | Audi A3A3 quattro AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Front comfort seats | std | — |
| Manually adjustable driver's seat | std | — |
| Rhombus cloth seating surfaces | std | — |
Interior4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen JettaS FWD | Audi A3A3 quattro AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-dimming interior rearview mirror | std | — |
| Center & door armrest stitching | std | — |
| Leather gearshift knob/handle | std | — |
| Leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel | std | — |
Exterior14 differ · 14 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen JettaS FWD | Audi A3A3 quattro AWD |
|---|---|---|
| 16-inch two-tone machined aluminum-alloy wheels | std | — |
| Body-colored bumpers | std | — |
| Drag Coefficient (Cd.) | — | std |
| Heated side mirrors | std | — |
| LED headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) | std | — |
| LED taillights | std | — |
| Power-adjustable, manual folding, side mirrors | std | — |
| Rain-sensing wipers | std | — |
| Tires (Optional) | — | opt |
| Tires (Standard) | — | std |
| Wheels (Optional) - first option | — | opt |
| Wheels (Optional) - second option | — | opt |
| Wheels (Standard) | — | std |
| Automatic headlights | std | — |
Powertrain16 differ · 16 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen JettaS FWD | Audi A3A3 quattro AWD |
|---|---|---|
| quattro® all-wheel drive | — | std |
| Front-wheel drive | std | — |
| 0-60 mph (secs.) | — | std |
| Compression Ratio :1 | — | std |
| EPA Estimated MPG (City) | — | std |
| EPA Estimated MPG (Combined) | — | std |
| EPA Estimated MPG (Highway) | — | std |
| Fuel Capacity (gal.): 14.5 | — | std |
| Peak Power (HP) | — | std |
| Peak Torque (lb.-ft) | — | std |
| Powertrain Limited Warranty: 4 year / 50,000 mi whichever occurs first | — | std |
| Recommended Fuel: Premium | — | std |
| Top Track Speed (mph) | — | std |
| Transmission: 7-speed S-tronic® transmission | — | std |
| Type: 2.0L TFSI 4 cyl / 2.5L TFSI 5 cyl | — | std |
| Valvetrain: 16-valve DOHC with Audi valvelift and variable timing | — | std |
Chassis5 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen JettaS FWD | Audi A3A3 quattro AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Body Construction: Unitary steel | — | std |
| Front Suspension: Mcpherson strut front axle | — | std |
| Rear Suspension: Four-link rear suspension | — | std |
| Steering Type: Electromechanical steering with speed-dependent power assistance | — | std |
| Turning Circle (ft. Curb-to-Curb) | — | std |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPVolkswagen Jetta
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Audi A3
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Volkswagen JettaS FWD | Audi A3A3 quattro AWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $23,995 (base trim) | $40,700 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $23,995 – $33,795 5 trims | $40,700 – $67,500 3 trims |
| Powertrains | GAS | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Jetta | A3 quattro |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 34 | 28 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $1,950 | $2,950 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
| Powertrain warranty | — | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
| Roadside assistance | 3 yr | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2027 Volkswagen Jetta or the 2027 Audi A3?
The Volkswagen Jetta wins clearly, 97.8 to 68.3, on tech & comfort, price, fuel & range. The Audi A3 is ahead on performance. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2027 Volkswagen Jetta scores 97.8 and the 2027 Audi A3 68.3. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2027 Volkswagen Jetta or the 2027 Audi A3?
The 2027 Volkswagen Jetta starts lower — $23,995 against $40,700, a gap of $16,705 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2027 Volkswagen Jetta or the 2027 Audi A3?
2027 Volkswagen Jetta: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 0 recalls. 2027 Audi A3: 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 Volkswagen Jetta and the 2027 Audi A3?
Where the 2027 Volkswagen Jetta wins: it lists 15 standard driver-assist features against 5, lists more comfort and tech equipment (16 points against 2 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), and starts $16,705 lower ($23,995 against $40,700 base MSRP). Where the 2027 Audi A3 answers: it turns out 236 lb-ft of torque against 184 and makes 201 hp against 158. What they share: a Safety Signal of 100, 5 seats, and a 4-year basic warranty.