Hyundai Elantra vs Volkswagen Jetta
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Volkswagen Jetta
Overview
| Spec | Hyundai ElantraSE | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | SE | S |
| Body style | Sedan | Sedan |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | continuously variable-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2026 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Hyundai ElantraSE | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $22,825 (best) | $23,995 |
| Lowest listing price | $9,399 | $7,493 (best) |
| Median listing price | $23,934 | $23,484 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $28,874 (best) | $30,554 |
| For sale now | 506 (best) | 80 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Hyundai ElantraSE | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 35 MPG (best) | 34 MPG |
| City MPG | 31 MPG (best) | 29 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 40 MPG | 40 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 12.4 gal | 13.2 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Hyundai ElantraSE | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 147 hp | 158 hp (best) |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 2 L (best) | 1.5 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Hyundai ElantraSE | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 14.2 cu ft (best) | 14.1 cu ft |
| Payload | — | 915 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 2,868 lbs (best) | 2,998 lbs |
| Ground clearance | 5.3 in | 5.5 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 107.1 in (best) | 105.7 in |
| Length | 185.4 in | 186.5 in (best) |
| Width | 71.9 in (best) | 70.8 in |
| Height | 55.7 in | 57.7 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Hyundai ElantraSE | 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 | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 1 | 1 |
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 | Hyundai Elantra | Volkswagen Jetta |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SE $22,825 MSRP(Currently comparing) | S $23,995 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | SEL Sport $23,950 MSRP | Sport $25,305 MSRP |
| 3 | SEL Sport Plus $24,450 MSRP | SE $26,985 MSRP |
| 4 | SEL Sport Plus $27,100 MSRP | SEL $29,995 MSRP |
| 5 | SEL Sport Premium $25,275 MSRP | Autobahn $33,745 MSRP |
| 6 | Blue $25,450 MSRP | Autobahn $33,745 MSRP |
| 7 | Limited $27,375 MSRP | — |
| 8 | SEL Sport $27,425 MSRP | — |
| 9 | N Line $29,600 MSRP | — |
| 10 | Limited $29,800 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Hyundai Elantra506 for sale
See all- New
2026 Hyundai Elantra
Limited
Abyss Black•Light Gray2 mi$27,789Preston Hyundai of Millsboro
Millsboro, DE
- New
2026 Hyundai Elantra
SEL Sport Plus
Serenity White•Black2 mi$25,404Preston Hyundai of Millsboro
Millsboro, DE
- New
2026 Hyundai Elantra
SE
Abyss Black•Black2 mi$22,989Preston Hyundai of Millsboro
Millsboro, DE
- New
2026 Hyundai Elantra
SEL Sport
Serenity White•Gray32 mi$25,019Preston Hyundai of Millsboro
Millsboro, DE
- New
2026 Hyundai Elantra
SE
Abyss Black•Gray2 mi$23,334Preston Hyundai of Millsboro
Millsboro, DE
- New
2026 Hyundai Elantra
SEL Sport Plus
Serenity White•Black2 mi$25,354Preston Hyundai of Millsboro
Millsboro, DE
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
Hyundai Elantra vs Volkswagen Jetta FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Hyundai Elantra or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Hyundai Elantra 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: 2026 Hyundai Elantra or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Hyundai Elantra starts lower at $22,825. Live Hyundai Elantra listings start at $9,399. Live Volkswagen Jetta listings start at $7,493.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Hyundai Elantra or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2026 Hyundai Elantra leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (22,825).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Hyundai Elantra or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2026 Hyundai Elantra leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (54).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Hyundai Elantra or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta leads on horsepower in this comparison (228).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Hyundai Elantra vs 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Hyundai Elantra (5/5 NHTSA overall); Volkswagen Jetta (5/5 NHTSA overall).