Are you considering getting either the Toyota Corolla or the Volkswagen Jetta but are not sure which compact car is better? See how they stack up in this 2023 Toyota Corolla vs. 2023 VW Jetta comparison. With its many advantages, the Corolla defeats the Jetta in multiple ways.

2023 Toyota Corolla vs. 2023 Volkswagen Jetta

In this 2023 Toyota Corolla vs. 2023 VW Jetta compact car comparison, we evaluated several areas. This includes performance, gas mileage, safety, passenger and cargo space, warranty coverage, reliability, and price. The Corolla offers sedan and hatchback models, but the Jetta only offers a sedan. We note the differences when applicable.

Corolla vs. Jetta: Performance

For performance, the 2023 Toyota Corolla has a higher base engine horsepower and maximum horsepower than the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta. The standard 2023 Toyota Corolla model features a 2.0-liter cylinder engine, which produces 169 horsepower. Also, the Corolla offers a hybrid powertrain. The Corolla Hybrid generates 121 horsepower for the front-wheel drive model. However, the specs for the all-wheel drive version are not yet available.

If you desire even greater performance, then check out the first-ever GR Corolla “hot hatch.” The GR Corolla has a 1.6-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged engine, which delivers 300 horsepower. 

In comparison, the standard Jetta model has a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which produces 158 horsepower. There’s also the sporty Jetta GLI. It features a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, which generates 228 horsepower. Additionally, the Jetta doesn’t offer an all-wheel drive system — unlike the Corolla. All Jetta models have a front-wheel drive system.

Corolla vs. Jetta: Gas mileage

On the efficiency front, the fully gas-powered models are similar, with an estimated gas mileage of up to 31 city/40 highway mpg for the Corolla, compared to 31 city/41 highway mpg for the Jetta. However, for even better efficiency, the Corolla Hybrid gets an estimated gas mileage of up to 53 city/52 highway mpg.

Corolla vs. Jetta: Safety

Given its history, the Corolla has the advantage for safety. For the previous model year, it earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, which is the highest possible IIHS rating. However, the Jetta didn’t receive any safety award from IIHS.

Corolla vs. Jetta: Passenger and cargo space

Which compact car is bigger: the 2023 Corolla or the 2023 Jetta? The Jetta provides more passenger space than the Corolla. It has a total passenger volume of 94.7 cu-ft, compared to 88.6 cu-ft for the Corolla Sedan and 84.6 cu-ft for the Corolla Hatchback.

For storage space in the truck for the sedan models, the Jetta has a cargo capacity of 14.1 cu-ft, compared to 13.1 cu-ft for the Corolla Sedan. However, the Corolla Hatchback has a maximum cargo capacity of 23.0 cu-ft.

Corolla vs. Jetta: Warranty coverage and reliability

For warranty coverage, the Corolla is backed by a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. In comparison, the Jetta has a 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and a 4-year/50,000-mile powertrain warranty. Both compact cars also offer a free maintenance plan, but the one for the Corolla is good for longer mileage, with two years or 25,000 miles, compared to two years or 20,000 miles for the Jetta.

Also, the Corolla is more reliable than the Jetta. It earned a J.D. Power reliability rating of 85/100, compared to 76/100 for the Jetta.

Corolla vs. Jetta: Price

Which compact car costs more: the 2023 Corolla or the 2023 Jetta? The starting price of the 2023 Jetta ranges from $20,415 MSRP for the 1.5T S trim up to $31,345 MSRP for the GLI Autobahn trim. 

While the official price information is not yet available for the 2023 Corolla, it will probably cost marginally more than the 2022 model. The starting price of the 2022 Corolla ranges from $20,425 MSRP for the L trim up to $28,710 MSRP for the APEX XSE trim. However, Toyota is discontinuing the L trim for the 2023 model year, so the entry-level model will be the LE trim, which has a starting price of $20,875 MSRP for the 2022 version.

2023 Toyota Corolla vs. 2023 VW Jetta: Which compact car is better?

In this 2023 Toyota Corolla vs. 2023 VW Jetta compact car comparison, the 2023 Corolla has most of the advantages. This includes advantages for performance, an available all-wheel drive system, gas mileage, safety, hatchback cargo space, and more generous powertrain coverage and complimentary maintenance plans. Conversely, the 2023 Jetta has advantages for passenger space, trunk cargo space, and a more generous basic warranty.