2020 Jetta vs 2020 Corolla

2020 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2020 Toyota Corolla

There are many great sedan options to choose from that retail for under $20,000. It might be hard to decide which sedan you should get. Let us help.

Today, we’ll be comparing two entry level sedans: the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta S and the 2020 Toyota Corolla L. Take a look to see which is right for you.

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2020 Volkswagen Jetta S

vs

2020 Toyota Corolla L

$19,695

MSRP

$19,600

1.4L turbo 4-cyl

Engine

1.8L 4-cyl

147hp / 184 lb-ft

Horsepower / Torque

139 hp / 126 lb-ft

8-speed auto / 6-speed manual

Transmission

CVT

FWD

Drivetrain

FWD

30/40/34

Fuel Economy

30/38/33

 

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2020 Jetta front exterior view

Better Performance

The 2020 Volkswagen Jetta drives better, plain and simple. The 1.4-liter turbo-four on the Jetta has way more torque than the Corolla 1.8-liter four-cylinder. As a result, low-speed acceleration for the Jetta is much better. Also, the six-speed manual is available on the base Jetta S trim; the manual transmission variant of the Corolla is only available on the more expensive SE trim. The Jetta has a performance model variant, the Jetta GLI, that features a 228 horsepower 2.0-liter turbo-four (228 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque) with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The Corolla just has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder (169 horsepower, 151 lb-ft of torque) engine; there’s no true performance variant. If driving experience is important to you, then the Jetta wins, hands-down.

Better Connectivity

The Jetta is more device-friendly and better tech than the Corolla. Both the Base model Jetta and Corolla are relatively barebones when it comes to features (by design), but the Corolla is underwhelming. The Jetta S features Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and two high-speed USB-C ports from the get-go, including the S models. The Corolla only gets Apple CarPlay and a single normal USB port. And that’s not just on the L trim, that’s for every Corolla trim. Similarly, the Volkswagen infotainment interface is crisp, intuitive, and responsive. The Toyota interface is dated, clunky, and slow.

2020 Jetta cockpit showcase
2020 Jetta front seating showcase
2020 Jetta rear seating showcase

Want to learn more about the 2020 Jetta? Give Capistrano Volkswagen a call.

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