2025 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

It’s easy to discount the value of a family sedan with so many crossovers on the road. But the fact is that this body style makes a lot of sense for a lot of families. The more manageable and maneuverable the vehicle, the better for teaching budding young drivers. Lighter weight also translates to better fuel economy, not to be sneered at when there are mouths to feed and tuitions to pay. And your typical midsize sedan is plenty spacious for four.

Fortunately, automakers have not forgotten about the venerable family sedan, keeping one another on their toes with updates, and it’s consumers who stand to benefit from that sort of healthy competition. Now, it’s the 2024 Hyundai Sonata’s turn for a mid-generation refresh.

Verdict: We already liked the Sonata Hybrid, and this refresh only improves it. The styling update and generous standard feature set make it a compelling choice, and the real automatic transmission is a virtually unique selling point.

At a base price under $23,500, the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta offers plenty of passenger space, a large trunk, and a fuel-efficient engine with plenty of zip. This year, Volkswagen tweaks this compact sedan’s styling, improves the interior, upgrades the handling, and adds more standard technology. Driving enthusiasts will appreciate the affordable Sport trim and the continued existence of the Volkswagen Jetta GLI, which still offers a manual transmission. This review is based on our experience with the Jetta SEL, which looks and feels more upscale than its price.

Verdict: While the changes to the 2025 VW Jetta are appealing, some are missteps, such as the touch-sensing climate control system interface. Also, the Jetta isn’t a leader in its segment regarding safety ratings. Nevertheless, its sensible German design and engineering shine through, giving it a distinctive driving experience unlike other compact cars.