The 2024 Volkswagen Jetta vs. the 2024 Mazda3

If you’re looking for a compact sedan for daily driving, consider the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta or the 2024 Mazda3. These two sedans stand out from other compact sedans with eye-pleasing styling, comfortable interiors, and innovative technology features. To help you decide which of these sedans best suits your lifestyle, our team at Capistrano Volkswagen in San Juan Capistrano, California, created this comprehensive comparison of the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta and the 2024 Mazda3.

Trims and Sophisticated Exterior Styling

While the Volkswagen Jetta and Mazda3 are compact sedans, their exterior styling sets them apart.

Volkswagen Jetta

Volkswagen offers the 2024 Jetta in four trims: the base S, Sport, SE, and the top-tier SEL. The designers of the Jetta give this sedan clean, sleek lines that showcase its sophistication. Choose the Sport trim to get 17-inch alloy wheels, a black front grille, and black exterior accents for a bold appearance.

Mazda3

The 2024 Mazda3 is a sporty sedan offered in six trims: the 2.5 S, 2.5 S Select Sport, 2.5 S Preferred, 2.5 S Carbon Edition, 2.5 S Carbon Turbo, and 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus. You’ll notice the massive front grille of the 2024 Mazda3, bracketed by cat-eye-shaped headlights that add to its muscular appearance.

Power and Performance

Drivers will appreciate the smooth handling and punchy acceleration of both the Volkswagen Jetta and Mazda3.

Volkswagen Jetta

Under the hood of all the 2024 Jetta trims, you’ll find a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 158 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque. A fun and interactive six-speed manual transmission comes standard on the S and Sport trims, and the SE and SEL trims get a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission, which is available for the two lower trims. Front-wheel drive comes standard across the Jetta lineup, and the Sport trim gets an exclusive XDS cross-differential system for added traction on slippery or wet terrain.

Mazda3

This spunky sedan comes with two engine options. Under the hood of the four lower trims, you’ll find a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. The Turbo trims get a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. For the 2.5 Preferred trims and lower, the Mazda3 comes with front-wheel drive, and the 2.5 Carbon Edition and higher trims come with i-ACTIV all-wheel drive.

Comfortable and Roomy Interior

Volkswagen and Mazda equip all vehicles with well-appointed features, and you’ll appreciate the fine attention to detail inside.

Volkswagen Jetta

With two rows of seats, up to five people can ride comfortably inside the Volkswagen Jetta. As you move up the trim levels, you’ll find upscale features such as leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats on the SEL trim. Drivers will also enjoy the leather-wrapped heated steering wheel found on the SEL.

Mazda3

Like the Volkswagen Jetta, the Mazda3 has two rows of seats for up to five people. The higher the trim levels, the more premium features you’ll find, such as leather upholstery, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat.

Innovative Technology Features

Both the 2024 Jetta and the 2024 Mazda3 come with a wealth of technology features to keep you connected and entertained on any drive.

Volkswagen Jetta

Inside the 2024 Jetta’s cabin, you’ll find the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit or the more advanced optional Volkswagen Digital Cockpit Pro infotainment system. This system comes with a 6.5-inch or 8-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility. The Pro infotainment system comes with integrated navigation, voice control, and a wireless charging system. The SEL trim benefits from a BeatsAudio sound system and a power tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof.

Mazda3

Mazda doesn’t skimp on modern technology features either. All the trims come with the Mazda Connect Infotainment System, which has an 8.8-inch touch screen or a 10.25-inch touch screen for the two turbo trims. The 2.5 Preferred and lower trims have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, and the three upper trims have wireless smartphone compatibility. Depending on the trim, you can enjoy audio through a six-speaker sound system, eight-speaker stereo, or the premium 12-speaker Bose system found on the top 2.5 S Turbo Premium Plus trim.

Advanced Driver-Assist Features

Volkswagen and Mazda take safety seriously and give the 2024 Jetta and 2024 Mazda3 the most modern and advanced driver-assist features.

Volkswagen Jetta

Volkswagen equips the 2024 Jetta with its IQ.DRIVE suite of driver-assist features. Key features of this safety system include:

• Adaptive cruise control.
• Rear traffic assist.
• Lane mitigation.
• Blind-spot warning.
• Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.
• Available automatic high-beam headlights.

The 2024 Jetta also has an intelligent crash response system that automatically deploys air bags, turns off the fuel pump, unlocks the doors, and activates the hazard lights for an extra layer of safety in a collision.

Mazda3

For the Mazda3, you’ll get the Mazda i-ACTIVESENSE suite of driver-assist features, including:

• Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.
• Drowsy driver alert.
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.
• Rear seat alert.
• Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go.
• Automatic high-beam headlight control.

The 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim also gets traffic sign recognition, cruising and traffic support, and a 360-degree monitoring system.

Take the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta for a Test Drive

The Volkswagen Jetta is a sleek sedan ideal for urban driving. Our team at Capistrano Volkswagen in San Juan Capistrano, California, invites you to stop by our dealership to learn more about the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta and take one for a test drive. Once you choose the perfect Jetta trim to fit your lifestyle, our professional finance team will find an auto loan to fit your needs and budget. If you’re interested in learning more about the 2024 Mazda3 sedan, you can also visit our sister Mazda dealership located next door.