Ford Focus vs Volkswagen Jetta
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Volkswagen Jetta
Overview
| Spec | Ford FocusS | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | S | S |
| Body style | Sedan | Sedan |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2018 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Ford FocusS | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $17,950 (best) | $23,995 |
| Lowest listing price | $6,423 (best) | $7,493 |
| Median listing price | $8,860 (best) | $23,484 |
| Highest listing price | $15,717 (best) | $30,554 |
| For sale now | 5 | 80 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Ford FocusS | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 28 MPG | 34 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 25 MPG | 29 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 34 MPG | 40 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 12.4 gal | 13.2 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Ford FocusS | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 160 hp (best) | 158 hp |
| Torque | 146 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 2 L (best) | 1.5 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Ford FocusS | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 13.2 cu ft | 14.1 cu ft (best) |
| Payload | — | 915 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 2,928 lbs (best) | 2,998 lbs |
| Ground clearance | — | 5.5 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 104.3 in | 105.7 in (best) |
| Length | 178.7 in | 186.5 in (best) |
| Width | 71.8 in (best) | 70.8 in |
| Height | 57.8 in (best) | 57.7 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Ford FocusS | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 7 | 1 (best) |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Ford Focus | Volkswagen Jetta |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | S $17,950 MSRP(Currently comparing) | S $23,995 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | SE $19,245 MSRP | Sport $25,305 MSRP |
| 3 | SE $20,540 MSRP | SE $26,985 MSRP |
| 4 | SEL $21,870 MSRP | SEL $29,995 MSRP |
| 5 | SEL $22,070 MSRP | Autobahn $33,745 MSRP |
| 6 | Titanium $24,270 MSRP | Autobahn $33,745 MSRP |
| 7 | Titanium $24,470 MSRP | — |
| 8 | ST $25,170 MSRP | — |
| 9 | Electric $29,120 MSRP | — |
| 10 | RS $41,120 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Ford Focus5 for sale
See all
Used2010 Ford Focus
SE
INGOT SILVER METALLIC•Charcoal Black116,768 mi$7,331Fred Anderson Toyota of Charleston
Charleston, SC
Used2018 Ford Focus
SEL
Hot Pepper Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat•Black60,243 mi$12,681Bruce Titus Port Orchard Ford
Port Orchard, WA
Used2018 Ford Focus
SE
Magnetic•Black113,320 mi$8,860McCarthy Toyota of Sedalia
Sedalia, MO
Used2014 Ford Focus
Titanium
Tuxedo Black Metallic•Charcoal Black127,404 mi$6,423Jack Hanania Audi Orange Park
Jacksonville, FL
Used2016 Ford Focus
ST
Shadow Black•Black47,964 mi$15,717Lynnes Hyundai Bloomfield
Bloomfield, NJ
Volkswagen Jetta80 for sale
See all
Used2024 Volkswagen Jetta
SE
Rising Blue Metallic58,656 mi$20,475Tadd Jenkins Auto Sales Idaho Falls
Idaho Falls, ID
New2026 Volkswagen Jetta
1.5T S
Platinum Gray Metallic•Black15 mi$24,363Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Jetta
1.5T S
Platinum Gray Metallic•Black15 mi$24,549Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Jetta
1.5T Sport
Deep Black Pearl•Black12 mi$26,094Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Jetta
1.5T Sport
Pure White•Black15 mi$26,094Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Jetta
1.5T Sport
Platinum Gray Metallic•Titan Black13 mi$26,061Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
Ford Focus vs Volkswagen Jetta FAQ
- Which is better: 2018 Ford Focus or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2018 Ford Focus vs 2026 Volkswagen Jetta on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2018 Ford Focus or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2018 Ford Focus starts lower at $17,950. Live Ford Focus listings start at $6,423. Live Volkswagen Jetta listings start at $7,493.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2018 Ford Focus or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2018 Ford Focus leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (17,950).
- Which has better electricRangeMi: 2018 Ford Focus or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2018 Ford Focus leads on electricRangeMi in this comparison (115).
- Which has better horsepower: 2018 Ford Focus or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2018 Ford Focus leads on horsepower in this comparison (350).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2018 Ford Focus vs 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Ford Focus (5/5 NHTSA overall); Volkswagen Jetta (5/5 NHTSA overall).