Page Loading

Ford Focus vs. Volkswagen Jetta

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Jetta contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Ford Focus and the Volkswagen Jetta.

When comparing the Ford Focus's and the Volkswagen Jetta's specifications and ratings, the Ford Focus has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars and base engine power. The Volkswagen Jetta has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency and interior volume. Based on this comparison of the Ford Focus's and the Volkswagen Jetta's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.

Pricing: A used 2018 Ford Focus ranges from $7,995 to $16,818 while a used 2018 Volkswagen Jetta is priced between $9,987 to $18,993.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Ford Focus’s base engine makes 160 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Jetta base engine makes 150 horsepower. The Focus is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 422 miles. The Jetta is rated to deliver an average of 33 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 580 miles. This gives the Volkswagen Jetta the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Ford Focus. Both models use regular unleaded.

Passenger Space Comparison: The Volkswagen Jetta has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Ford Focus has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room and rear head room.

Safety Ratings: The Volkswagen Jetta has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.

See More See Less
Model & Pricing
Ford Focus
Volkswagen Jetta

2018 Ford Focus Sedan
Change Vehicle
Vehicle Image
Ford Focus for Sale

2018 Volkswagen Jetta
Change Vehicle
Vehicle Image
Volkswagen Jetta for Sale

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

-

Starting MSRP:

$17,950

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)

$20,571

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)

$14,395 - $39,785

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

-

Starting MSRP:

$18,645

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)

$20,571

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)

$14,395 - $39,785

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

$12,435

Price Range:

$7,995 - $16,818

Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)

$17,195

Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)

$9,985 - $30,573

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

475

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

75,625

# Good or Great Deals:

156

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

$14,680

Price Range:

$9,987 - $18,993

Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)

$17,195

Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)

$9,985 - $30,573

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

111

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

78,233

# Good or Great Deals:

29

Ford Focus Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

Not available

Reliability:

Not available

Retained Value:

Not available

Safety:

Not available

Volkswagen Jetta Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.8 / 10

Reliability:

8.1 / 10

Retained Value:

8.3 / 10

Safety:

10.0 / 10



iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ford Focus

Remaining Life Expectancy (years):

3.8

Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)

5.2

Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)

3.1 - 8.5

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

1.1%

iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Jetta

Remaining Life Expectancy (years):

4.3

Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)

5.2

Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)

3.1 - 8.5

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

9%



Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

3.4

Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

4.1

Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

0.5 - 16.6

Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

2.5

Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

4.1

Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

0.5 - 16.6

Ford Focus Rankings

Not yet available

Volkswagen Jetta Rankings

Best Family Small Cars

3 / 43

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

6 / 43

Most Affordable Small Cars

8 / 24

Best Small Cars Under $25k

8 / 13

Best Small Cars for the Money

9 / 13

Best Gas Mileage Small Cars

10 / 43

Safest Small Cars

11 / 43

Most Reliable Small Cars

11 / 43

Best Small Cars

13 / 43

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

24 / 43

Best Small Cars for Tall People

30 / 43

Most Comfortable Small Cars

34 / 43

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

37 / 43

Available Body Styles

Hatchback, Sedan

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Drivetrain Options

Electric, Gasoline

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Ford Focus Trim Levels

Not yet available

Volkswagen Jetta Trim Levels

1.4T S, 1.4T SE, 1.4T Wolfsburg Edition, 1.8T SE Sport, 1.8T SEL, 2.0T GLI

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

3 years / 36000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain:

5 years / 60000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

5 years / 60000 miles

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

6 years / 72000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain:

6 years / 72000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

3 years / 36000 miles

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

Not yet available

2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

5 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

160 hp @ 6500 rpm

Torque:

146 foot-lbs @ 4450 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.055 hp per pound

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

150 hp @ 5000 rpm

Torque:

184 foot-lbs @ 1400 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.051 hp per pound

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

2 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Manual

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

FWD

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


25 / 34 / 28

Range (city/hwy):

310 / 422 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Regular Unleaded

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

1.4 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Manual

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

FWD

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


28 / 40 / 33

Range (city/hwy):

406 / 580 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Regular Unleaded

Standard/Optional Features

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Power outlet:

Standard

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Alloy wheels:

Available

Android Auto:

Available

Apple CarPlay:

Available

Automatic Parking:

Available

Heated Seats

Available

Heated Steering Wheel:

Available

Keyless Ignition:

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Navigation System:

Available

Parking Sensors:

Available

Satellite radio:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Adaptive Cruise Control:

N/A

Air Suspension:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

N/A

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Internet Radio:

N/A

Massage Seats:

N/A

Paddle Shifters:

N/A

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Power Lift Gate:

N/A

Quad Seats:

N/A

Roadside assistance:

N/A

Roof Rack:

N/A

Trailer Hitch:

N/A

Wifi:

N/A

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

N/A

Standard/Optional Features

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Power outlet:

Standard

Voice Recognition:

Available

Alloy wheels:

Standard

Android Auto:

Available

Apple CarPlay:

Available

Automatic Parking:

N/A

Heated Seats

Available

Heated Steering Wheel:

N/A

Keyless Ignition:

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Navigation System:

Available

Parking Sensors:

Available

Satellite radio:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Available

Air Suspension:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

N/A

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Internet Radio:

N/A

Massage Seats:

N/A

Paddle Shifters:

Available

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Power Lift Gate:

N/A

Quad Seats:

N/A

Roadside assistance:

N/A

Roof Rack:

N/A

Trailer Hitch:

N/A

Wifi:

N/A

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

N/A

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Blind Spot Monitoring:

N/A

Driver Attention Monitoring:

N/A

Forward Collision Warning:

N/A

Lane Departure Warning:

N/A

Lane Keeping Assist:

N/A

Pedestrian Detection:

N/A

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

N/A

Rear Seat Reminder:

N/A

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Available

Driver Attention Monitoring:

N/A

Forward Collision Warning:

Available

Lane Departure Warning:

N/A

Lane Keeping Assist:

N/A

Pedestrian Detection:

N/A

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Available

Rear Seat Reminder:

N/A

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

38.3 inches

Front Leg Room:

43.1 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

55.6 inches

Rear Head Room:

38 inches

Rear Leg Room:

33.2 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

52.6 inches

Cargo Space:

13.2 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

90.0 cubic feet

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

38.2 inches

Front Leg Room:

41.2 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

55.2 inches

Rear Head Room:

37.1 inches

Rear Leg Room:

38.1 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

53.6 inches

Cargo Space:

15.7 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

94.1 cubic feet

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

2928 lbs

Width:

80.5 inches

Height:

57.8 inches

Length:

178.7 inches

Wheelbase:

104.3 inches

Ground Clearance:

Not yet available

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

2930 lbs

Width:

70 inches

Height:

57.2 inches

Length:

183.4 inches

Wheelbase:

104.4 inches

Ground Clearance:

5.2 inches

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

15.0 x 5.5 inches

Wheel Type:

steel

Tire Size:

195/65R15

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

16.0 x 6.5 inches

Wheel Type:

aluminum alloy

Tire Size:

205/55R16

Exterior Colors

Black

Shadow Black

Gray

Magnetic

Silver

Ingot Silver

White

Oxford White

Blue

Not available

Red

Not available

Exterior Colors

Black

Black Uni

Gray

Platinum Gray Metallic

Silver

White Silver Metallic

White

Pure White

Blue

Silk Blue Metallic

Red

Cardinal Red Metallic

Interior Colors

Gray

Charcoal Black

Black

Not available

Interior Colors

Gray

Not available

Black

Black/Palladium Gray

Popular Focus Model Year Comparisons

Popular Jetta Model Year Comparisons

Related Car Comparisons

Popular Car Comparisons