Compared to the 2022 Toyota Corolla
, the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta
offers better highway fuel economy, more interior space, and a generally sportier feel. The perfect compact economy car for you depends on a myriad of personal preferences. But when comparing two cars that are as similar as the 2022 Toyota Corolla and the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, you’ve got to get down to the nitty-gritty details.
That’s why Jerry
, the trustworthy super app
created to make car insurance
shopping faster and easier, has created this handy guide, which performs a side-by-side comparison of the Corolla and Jetta. We’ll go through all the major specs so you can make an informed decision before purchasing your next vehicle. We'll even show you how to save on insurance costs to make your car loan
more manageable, no matter which vehicle you choose. Pricing
When it comes to pricing, the 2022 Corolla and Jetta are neck-and-neck. Just take a look at the starting MSRPs for each trim:
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| | 2022 Volkswagen Jetta Sport | |
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| | 2022 Volkswagen Jetta SEL | |
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The base-level trims for both vehicles are within $10 of each other—although the Jetta does increase in price slightly faster as you move through the lineup. Still, the difference between the Jetta and Corolla ends up being just a few thousand dollars, at most.
To get a better idea of which vehicle is more affordable in the long run, we can look at cost of ownership. The average cost of owning a Volkswagen Jetta for five years is $24,298, although this will vary based on owner, location, driving habits, and more. For example, this includes an estimated $9,370 in total Jetta insurance costs
—but your number could be higher or lower. By comparison, the cost of owning a Toyota Corolla for five years is just a few hundred dollars lower, estimated at $23,921.
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Performance
Its unbeatable German engineering makes the 2022 Jetta the superior car in terms of performance.
Every Jetta powers the front wheels with a turbocharged, 1.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, but you can upgrade to an eight-speed automatic transmission if you’d like. In speed tests, the Jetta went from 0 to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds.
The Corolla sedan is equipped with a 139-hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that sends power to the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission. If you want a bit more power, you can upgrade to the SE or XSE model for a 169-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder.
Although the upgraded engine makes the Corolla feel slightly more lively, it simply cannot match the Jetta’s refined ride quality.
Fuel efficiency
Only the 2022 Toyota Corolla is offered in a hybrid, which obviously blows gas-powered vehicles out of the water in terms of fuel efficiency. However, when comparing the versions with standard powertrains, the Jetta is a bit more fuel efficient.
Let’s take a look at the fuel efficiency ratings for each powertrain:
| | Fuel economy (city/hwy/combined) |
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| 1.8L four-cylinder (base) | |
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2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid | | |
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It’s also important to keep in mind that opting for a hatchback Corolla will further decrease fuel efficiency, at least by a few miles per gallon.
Technology
When it comes to infotainment-focused technology, there is no clear winner. Both vehicles are equipped with a touchscreen infotainment system that has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities. You’ll also enjoy a mobile hotspot and optional wireless charging in either car.
But in terms of safety-driven technology, the Corolla is slightly superior. It offers a longer list of standard driver assistance features, including forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.
On the Jetta, forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alerts are all standard—but you’ll have to upgrade for adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology.
Reliability
Based on ratings from experts like J.D. Power, RepairPal, and Consumer Reports, the Corolla is the more reliable car with a higher resale value—but the difference is minuscule.
For example, the 2022 Corolla has a stellar 4.5/5.0 rating for reliability from RepairPal—but the Jetta’s 4.0/5.0 rating is nothing to sneeze at, either.
Interior
If you step inside a Toyota Corolla and then a Volkswagen Jetta, you’ll notice a significant difference: Not only is the Jetta generally more refined, but it has an increased amount of both passenger space (especially when it comes to leg room in the rear) and cargo volume.
Take a look at the interior dimensions:
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Headroom (rear seats) 37.1 inches | | | |
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You may notice that the Corolla hatchback offers the most cargo space—but it does require you to sacrifice quite a bit of legroom in the second row. The Jetta, on other hand, offers the best of both worlds.
The final word
While the 2022 Toyota Corolla is certainly a practical and reliable sedan or hatchback—and a great vehicle if you’re looking for something high-value—we have to recommend going with the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta.
The Jetta offers improved fuel economy, more power and performance, extra passenger and cargo space, and a more refined feel inside and out. And it does all of that for just a small additional price compared to the Corolla!
How to find cheap car insurance for a Volkswagen Jetta
Finding the perfect economy car can take a while, and comparison shopping is hard work! Fortunately, when it comes time to comparison shop for a car insurance policy, Jerry has your back.
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