2019 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2020 Mazda MAZDA3
Overview | |
MSRP$18,745 | MSRP$21,500 |
Average price$15,942 | Average price$20,110 |
Listings1169 | Listings227 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews8.2 out of 10 | Expert reviews7.8 out of 10 |
Pros
| Pros
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2019 Volkswagen Jetta Reviews SummarySmall cars aren't asked to do much beyond the basics: provide efficient, reliable transportation at a manageable price. Plenty of models fit this form, and in some rare cases, they manage to do it while also being fun to drive, like the Mazda3. In other cases, the vehicle manages to feel more upscale than the competition, like the Honda Civic. But the Volkswagen Jetta's legacy has historically been defined by its ability to offer both an upscale interior and a rewarding driving experience. But then something happened with the Jetta. Starting with the 2011 model year, Volkswagen attempted to broaden the Jetta's appeal, and until 2018 we were left with a drab interior, an underpowered engine, and an uninspiring driving experience. VW’s hallmark was always that its cars felt a little special, so by adopting a homogenous look and feel, VW removed what made the Jetta unique and desirable to its fans. So Volkswagen had some work to do with the new seventh-generation 2019 Jetta. Will this new car move the Jetta name back toward driving refinement and upscale feel? Or will it continue to disappoint as just another bland entrant among small cars? | |
2020 Mazda MAZDA3 Reviews SummaryMazda redesigned the Mazda3 in 2019, taking what was already one of the best-looking compact cars on the market, and attempting to dress it up even further. The goal was to elevate the brand into near-luxury territory. While the 2020 Mazda3 may not compete on the same plane as a Mercedes-Benz CLA-class or a BMW 2 Series, it feels undeniably premium when benchmarked against more mass-market competitors. | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine1.4L 147 hp I4 | Engine2.5L 186 hp I4 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower147 hp @ 5000 rpm | Horsepower186 hp @ 6000 rpm |
MPG City30 | MPG City27 |
MPG Highway40 | MPG Highway36 |
Engine | |
Engine Name1.4L 147 hp I4 | Engine Name2.5L 186 hp I4 |
Torque184 lb-ft @ 1400 rpm | Torque186 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
Horsepower147 hp @ 5000 rpm | Horsepower186 hp @ 6000 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City30 | MPG City27 |
MPG Highway40 | MPG Highway36 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall4 | Front Crash Overall5 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space14.1 cu ft | Cargo Space13.2 cu ft |
Curb Weight2959 lbs | Curb Weight3071 lbs |
Height57.4 in | Height56.9 in |
Length185.1 in | Length183.5 in |
Width70.8 in | Width70.7 in |
Wheelbase105.7 in | Wheelbase107.3 in |
Maximum Payload970 lbs | Maximum Payload1008 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $18,745 | $21,500 |
Average price | $15,942 | $20,110 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.6 | 5.0 |
Expert reviews | 8.2 out of 10Read full review | 7.8 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| Pros
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Summary | Small cars aren't asked to do much beyond the basics: provide efficient, reliable transportation at a manageable price. Plenty of models fit this form, and in some rare cases, they manage to do it while also being fun to drive, like the Mazda3. In other cases, the vehicle manages to feel more upscale than the competition, like the Honda Civic. But the Volkswagen Jetta's legacy has historically been defined by its ability to offer both an upscale interior and a rewarding driving experience. But then something happened with the Jetta. Starting with the 2011 model year, Volkswagen attempted to broaden the Jetta's appeal, and until 2018 we were left with a drab interior, an underpowered engine, and an uninspiring driving experience. VW’s hallmark was always that its cars felt a little special, so by adopting a homogenous look and feel, VW removed what made the Jetta unique and desirable to its fans. So Volkswagen had some work to do with the new seventh-generation 2019 Jetta. Will this new car move the Jetta name back toward driving refinement and upscale feel? Or will it continue to disappoint as just another bland entrant among small cars? | Mazda redesigned the Mazda3 in 2019, taking what was already one of the best-looking compact cars on the market, and attempting to dress it up even further. The goal was to elevate the brand into near-luxury territory. While the 2020 Mazda3 may not compete on the same plane as a Mercedes-Benz CLA-class or a BMW 2 Series, it feels undeniably premium when benchmarked against more mass-market competitors. |
Video | ||
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 1.4L 147 hp I4 | 2.5L 186 hp I4 |
Drive Train | FWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 147 hp @ 5000 rpm | 186 hp @ 6000 rpm |
MPG City | 30 | 27 |
MPG Highway | 40 | 36 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 1.4L 147 hp I4 | 2.5L 186 hp I4 |
Torque | 184 lb-ft @ 1400 rpm | 186 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
Horsepower | 147 hp @ 5000 rpm | 186 hp @ 6000 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 30 | 27 |
MPG Highway | 40 | 36 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 4 | 5 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 14.1 cu ft | 13.2 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 2959 lbs | 3071 lbs |
Height | 57.4 in | 56.9 in |
Length | 185.1 in | 183.5 in |
Width | 70.8 in | 70.7 in |
Wheelbase | 105.7 in | 107.3 in |
Maximum Payload | 970 lbs | 1008 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
By: CarGurus + AI
This car comparison has been created with using generative AI. It is based entirely on CarGurus expert review content, ratings and data, and leverages our extensive library of hands-on product tests to create thousands of unique comparisons to help shoppers choose the right car.