2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs 2027 Volkswagen Jetta
The Volkswagen Jetta wins clearly, 100 to 88.9, on fuel & range.
2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
The 2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid compact sedan with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the C300, is EPA-rated…
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, 100 to 88.9, on fuel & range.
| Category · weight | 2027 Volkswagen Jettaoverall 100 | 2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Classoverall 88.9 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 74 | |||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 100 | 100 | |||||||||
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 & cargonot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Performancenot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Tech & comfortnot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Overall | 100 | 88.9 | |||||||||
Safety-only comparison · 2 of 7 categories compared · specs not available for Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Volkswagen Jetta: base trim S FWD · Mercedes-Benz C-Class: safety only (EPA and NHTSA record; specs not available). 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 costs $900 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,950 against $2,850).
- It is rated 34 combined against 29 (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 | Volkswagen JettaS FWD | Mercedes-Benz C-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $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 (EA211evo2) | — |
| Fuel injection system | TSI | — |
| Valve configuration | DOHC | — |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 158 hp | — |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft | — |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 29 mpg | — |
| MPG (combined) | 34 mpg | — |
| MPG (highway) | 40 mpg | — |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.24 | — |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | — |
| Transmission type | automatic hybrid | — |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 5.5 in | — |
| Overall height | 57.7 in | — |
| Overall length | 187 in | — |
| Overall width | 70.8 in | — |
| Wheelbase | 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 | 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 | Strut-type with lower control arms, coil springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar | — |
| Rear suspension type | Torsion beam, coil springs, telescopic dampers | — |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Rack and pinion: electric power assist | — |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 17.9 ft | — |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 287 mm | — |
| Front brake type | vented disc | — |
| Parking brake type | electro-mechanical | — |
| Rear brake diameter | 272 mm | — |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | — |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 16 in | — |
| Wheel material | alloy | — |
| Wheel width | 6.5 in | — |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 205/60 R16 92H | — |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 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
40 features · differences first, then sharedSafety15 differ · 15 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen JettaS FWD | Mercedes-Benz C-Class |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — |
| Anti-Lock Braking System | std | — |
| Automatic Post-Collision Braking System | 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 | — |
| Rearview Camera | std | — |
| Standard Electronic Stability Control | std | — |
| Tire pressure monitoring system | std | — |
Infotainment7 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen JettaS FWD | Mercedes-Benz C-Class |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — |
| SiriusXM w/ 360L | 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 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class |
|---|---|---|
| KESSY keyless access with push-button start | std | — |
Climate1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen JettaS FWD | Mercedes-Benz C-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Climatronic Touch dual-zone automatic climate control | std | — |
Seating3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen JettaS FWD | Mercedes-Benz C-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Front comfort seats | std | — |
| Manually adjustable driver's seat | std | — |
| Rhombus cloth seating surfaces | std | — |
Interior4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen JettaS FWD | Mercedes-Benz C-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-dimming interior rearview mirror | std | — |
| Center & door armrest stitching | std | — |
| Leather gearshift knob/handle | std | — |
| Leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel | std | — |
Exterior8 differ · 8 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen JettaS FWD | Mercedes-Benz C-Class |
|---|---|---|
| 16-inch two-tone machined aluminum-alloy wheels | std | — |
| Body-colored bumpers | 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 | — |
| Automatic headlights | std | — |
Powertrain1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen JettaS FWD | Mercedes-Benz C-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Front-wheel drive | 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.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Volkswagen JettaS FWD | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $23,995 (base trim) | — |
| Price range across trims | $23,995 – $33,795 5 trims | — |
| Powertrains | GAS | HEV |
| EPA configuration compared | Jetta | C300 |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 34 | 29 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $1,950 | $2,850 |
| 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 Volkswagen Jetta or the 2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
The Volkswagen Jetta wins clearly, 100 to 88.9, on fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2027 Volkswagen Jetta scores 100 and the 2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 88.9. 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 Volkswagen Jetta or the 2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
2027 Volkswagen Jetta: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 0 recalls. 2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: 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 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
Where the 2027 Volkswagen Jetta wins: it costs $900 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,950 against $2,850) and is rated 34 combined against 29 (EPA mpg or MPGe). What they share: a Safety Signal of 100.