Kia Optima vs Volkswagen Jetta
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Volkswagen Jetta
Overview
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | LX | S |
| Body style | Sedan | Sedan |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2020 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $23,390 (best) | $23,995 |
| Lowest listing price | $10,488 | $7,493 (best) |
| Median listing price | $14,117 (best) | $21,996 |
| Highest listing price | $18,000 (best) | $30,554 |
| For sale now | 8 | 78 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 29 MPG | 34 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 25 MPG | 29 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 35 MPG | 40 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 18.5 gal (best) | 13.2 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 185 hp (best) | 158 hp |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 2.4 L (best) | 1.5 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 15.9 cu ft (best) | 14.1 cu ft |
| Payload | — | 915 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 3,230 lbs | 2,998 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | 5.3 in | 5.5 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 110.4 in (best) | 105.7 in |
| Length | 191.1 in (best) | 186.5 in |
| Width | 73.2 in (best) | 70.8 in |
| Height | 57.7 in | 57.7 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | 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) | None reported (best) | 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 | Kia Optima | Volkswagen Jetta |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LX $23,390 MSRP(Currently comparing) | S $23,995 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | S $24,890 MSRP | Sport $25,305 MSRP |
| 3 | SE $26,390 MSRP | SE $26,985 MSRP |
| 4 | EX $27,190 MSRP | SEL $29,995 MSRP |
| 5 | EX $29,310 MSRP | Autobahn $33,745 MSRP |
| 6 | EX Premium $30,190 MSRP | Autobahn $33,745 MSRP |
| 7 | SX $32,190 MSRP | — |
| 8 | EX $36,090 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Kia Optima8 for sale
See all
Used2019 Kia Optima
SX
Snow White Pearl•Black50,346 mi$17,446Phil Smith Mitsubishi of Lighthouse Point
Lighthouse Point, FL
Certified2019 Kia Optima
S
Snow White Pearl•Black69,814 mi$14,734Greensboro Auto Center
Greensboro, NC
Used2020 Kia Optima
LX
sangria•black114,297 mi$10,488Secret City Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Oak Ridge, TN
Used2020 Kia Optima
LX
Horizon Blue•black119,032 mi$12,500Mccarthy Chevrolet Lee's Summit
Lee's Summit, MO
Certified2019 Kia Optima
S
Platinum Graphite•black45,738 mi$17,000Fred Anderson Kia Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
- Used
2020 Kia Optima
SE
Passion Red•black38,701 mi$18,000Stanley Wood Chevrolet
Batesville, AR
Volkswagen Jetta78 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 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
Deep Black Pearl•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
Kia Optima vs Volkswagen Jetta FAQ
- Which is better: 2020 Kia Optima or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2020 Kia Optima 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: 2020 Kia Optima or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2020 Kia Optima starts lower at $23,390. Live Kia Optima listings start at $10,488. Live Volkswagen Jetta listings start at $7,493.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2020 Kia Optima or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (23,390).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2020 Kia Optima or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (42).
- Which has better electricRangeMi: 2020 Kia Optima or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on electricRangeMi in this comparison (28).
- Which has better horsepower: 2020 Kia Optima or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on horsepower in this comparison (245).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2020 Kia Optima vs 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Kia Optima (5/5 NHTSA overall); Volkswagen Jetta (5/5 NHTSA overall).