Hyundai ELANTRA vs. Volkswagen Jetta
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Hyundai ELANTRA 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 Hyundai ELANTRA and the Volkswagen Jetta.
When comparing the Hyundai ELANTRA's and the Volkswagen Jetta's specifications and ratings, the Hyundai ELANTRA has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, resale value and interior volume. The Volkswagen Jetta has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, reliability, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Hyundai ELANTRA's and the Volkswagen Jetta's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Jetta is a better car than the Hyundai ELANTRA.
Pricing: A used 2024 Hyundai ELANTRA ranges from $21,995 to $27,989 while a used 2024 Volkswagen Jetta is priced between $21,495 to $29,945. For a new model, the Hyundai ELANTRA's price is between $22,531 and $28,639, with the Volkswagen Jetta priced between $23,088 and $30,451.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Hyundai ELANTRA loses 33.4 percent of its value and the Volkswagen Jetta loses 36 percent of its value. This means the Hyundai ELANTRA retains 2.6 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Volkswagen Jetta.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Hyundai ELANTRA is 8.3 out of 10 while the Volkswagen Jetta's quality rating is 8.8 out of 10. This results in the Hyundai ELANTRA being ranked 21 out of 43 Best Small Cars and the Volkswagen Jetta being ranked 13 out of 43.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Hyundai ELANTRA is 7.8 out of 10. For the Volkswagen Jetta the reliability rating is 8.1 out of 10. This gives the Volkswagen Jetta a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Hyundai ELANTRA.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Hyundai ELANTRA’s base engine makes 147 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Jetta base engine makes 158 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are compact cars, the Hyundai ELANTRA has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Volkswagen Jetta has higher safety ratings than the Hyundai ELANTRA, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.64 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Hyundai ELANTRA has the advantage with a Top Safety Pick award.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$22,531 - $28,639
Starting MSRP:
$21,625
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$26,555
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$17,795 - $45,665
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$23,088 - $30,451
Starting MSRP:
$21,435
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$26,555
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$17,795 - $45,665
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$24,763
Price Range:
$21,995 - $27,989
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$28,855
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$19,171 - $47,673
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
11,837
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
1,003
# Good or Great Deals:
434
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$25,029
Price Range:
$21,495 - $29,945
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$28,855
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$19,171 - $47,673
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
2,771
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
1,337
# Good or Great Deals:
113
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$7,431
Depreciation %:
34.4%
Resale Value $:
$14,194
Residual Value %:
65.6%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)
31.6%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)
24.4% - 40.1%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$7,817
Depreciation %:
36.5%
Resale Value $:
$13,618
Residual Value %:
63.5%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)
31.6%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)
24.4% - 40.1%
Hyundai ELANTRA Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.3 / 10
Reliability:
7.8 / 10
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
8.6 / 10
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 Hyundai ELANTRA
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
10.2
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
11.2
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
10.1 - 13.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
6.6%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Jetta
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
10.3
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
11.2
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
10.1 - 13.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
9%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.1
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2 - 18.8
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2 - 18.8
Hyundai ELANTRA Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 43Ranking
3 out of / 43Ranking
4 out of / 43Ranking
5 out of / 5Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
10 out of / 24Ranking
10 out of / 13Ranking
12 out of / 43Ranking
17 out of / 43Ranking
17 out of / 43Ranking
21 out of / 43Ranking
26 out of / 43Ranking
28 out of / 43Volkswagen Jetta Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 43Ranking
6 out of / 43Ranking
8 out of / 24Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
10 out of / 43Ranking
11 out of / 43Ranking
11 out of / 43Ranking
13 out of / 43Ranking
24 out of / 43Ranking
30 out of / 43Ranking
34 out of / 43Ranking
37 out of / 43Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Hyundai ELANTRA Trim Levels
Limited, N Line, SE, SEL
Volkswagen Jetta Trim Levels
SEL, Sport, S, SE
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4.64 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
TOP SAFETY PICK
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:
147 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque:
132 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.054 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
158 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 1750 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.055 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
29 / 42 / 34
Range (city/hwy):
383 / 554 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
Standard
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.6 inches
Cargo Space:
14.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
99.4 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54 inches
Cargo Space:
14.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
94.7 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2725 lbs
Width:
71.9 inches
Height:
55.7 inches
Length:
184.1 inches
Wheelbase:
107.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2895 lbs
Width:
80.2 inches
Height:
57.7 inches
Length:
186.5 inches
Wheelbase:
105.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.5 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
195/65R15
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy with painted accents
Tire Size:
P205/60R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Abyss Black Pearl
Blue
Intense Blue Pearl
Gray
Amazon Gray Pearl / Ecotronic Gray Pearl / Fluid Metal Metallic
Red
Ultimate Red Pearl
White
Serenity White Pearl
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl
Blue
Rising Blue Metallic
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic
Red
Not available
White
Pure White
Silver
Pyrite Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Gray
Interior Colors
Black
Titan Black
Gray
Storm Gray
