Mazda 626 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 626LX | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | LX | 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 | 2002 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Mazda 626LX | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $18,785 (best) | $23,995 |
| Lowest listing price | — | $7,493 (best) |
| Median listing price | — | $21,996 (best) |
| Highest listing price | — | $30,554 (best) |
| For sale now | 0 | 78 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Mazda 626LX | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 25 MPG | 34 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 23 MPG | 29 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 29 MPG | 40 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 16.9 gal (best) | 13.2 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Mazda 626LX | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 125 hp | 158 hp (best) |
| Torque | 127 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 2 L (best) | 1.5 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Mazda 626LX | 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 | 2,864 lbs (best) | 2,998 lbs |
| Ground clearance | 5.2 in | 5.5 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 105.1 in | 105.7 in (best) |
| Length | 187.4 in (best) | 186.5 in |
| Width | 69.3 in | 70.8 in (best) |
| Height | 55.1 in | 57.7 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Mazda 626LX | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 4 / 5 ★ |
| 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 626 | Volkswagen Jetta |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LX $18,785 MSRP(Currently comparing) | S $23,995 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | LX V6 $19,985 MSRP | Sport $25,305 MSRP |
| 3 | ES V6 $21,885 MSRP | SE $26,985 MSRP |
| 4 | — | SEL $29,995 MSRP |
| 5 | — | Autobahn $33,745 MSRP |
| 6 | — | Autobahn $33,745 MSRP |
Live inventory
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
Mazda 626 vs Volkswagen Jetta FAQ
- Which is better: 2002 Mazda 626 or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2002 Mazda 626 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: 2002 Mazda 626 or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2002 Mazda 626 starts lower at $18,785. Live Volkswagen Jetta listings start at $7,493.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2002 Mazda 626 or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2002 Mazda 626 leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (18,785).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2002 Mazda 626 or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (34).
- Which has better horsepower: 2002 Mazda 626 or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta leads on horsepower in this comparison (228).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2002 Mazda 626 vs 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Volkswagen Jetta (5/5 NHTSA overall).