Mazda 3 vs Volkswagen Jetta
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Volkswagen Jetta
Overview
| Spec | Mazda 32.5 S | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | 2.5 S | 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 | 2026 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Mazda 32.5 S | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $24,550 | $23,995 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | — | $7,493 (best) |
| Median listing price | — | $23,497 (best) |
| Highest listing price | — | $30,554 (best) |
| For sale now | 0 | 81 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Mazda 32.5 S | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 30 MPG | 34 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 27 MPG | 29 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 36 MPG | 40 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 13.2 gal | 13.2 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Mazda 32.5 S | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 186 hp (best) | 158 hp |
| Torque | 186 lb-ft (best) | 184 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 2.5 L (best) | 1.5 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Mazda 32.5 S | 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 | 3,111 lbs | 2,998 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | 5.5 in | 5.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 107.3 in (best) | 105.7 in |
| Length | 183.5 in | 186.5 in (best) |
| Width | 70.7 in | 70.8 in (best) |
| Height | 56.9 in | 57.7 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Mazda 32.5 S | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (driver) | — | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | — | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (driver) | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (passenger) | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side pole | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Rollover | — | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| 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 | Mazda 3 | Volkswagen Jetta |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2.5 S $24,550 MSRP(Currently comparing) | S $23,995 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | 2.5 S $25,550 MSRP | Sport $25,305 MSRP |
| 3 | 2.5 S Select Sport $25,440 MSRP | SE $26,985 MSRP |
| 4 | 2.5 S Select Sport $26,740 MSRP | SEL $29,995 MSRP |
| 5 | 2.5 S Preferred $27,090 MSRP | Autobahn $33,745 MSRP |
| 6 | 2.5 S Preferred $28,440 MSRP | Autobahn $33,745 MSRP |
| 7 | 2.5 S Carbon Edition $30,210 MSRP | — |
| 8 | 2.5 S Carbon Edition $31,360 MSRP | — |
| 9 | 2.5 S Premium $31,450 MSRP | — |
| 10 | 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus $36,740 MSRP | — |
| 11 | 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus $37,890 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Volkswagen Jetta81 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
Mazda 3 vs Volkswagen Jetta FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Mazda 3 or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Mazda 3 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 Mazda 3 or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta starts lower at $23,995. Live Volkswagen Jetta listings start at $7,493.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Mazda 3 or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (23,995).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Mazda 3 or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (34).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Mazda 3 or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta leads on horsepower in this comparison (228).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Mazda 3 vs 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Volkswagen Jetta (5/5 NHTSA overall).