Hyundai SONATA vs. Volkswagen Jetta
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Hyundai SONATA 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 SONATA and the Volkswagen Jetta.
In comparing the Hyundai SONATA's and the Volkswagen Jetta's specifications and ratings, the Hyundai SONATA has the advantage in the areas of interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. The Volkswagen Jetta has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, reliability and resale value. Based on this comparison of the Hyundai SONATA's and the Volkswagen Jetta's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Jetta is a better car than the Hyundai SONATA.
Pricing: A used 2025 Hyundai SONATA ranges from $22,497 to $32,850 while a used 2025 Volkswagen Jetta is priced between $19,997 to $27,587. For a new model, the Hyundai SONATA's price is between $27,032 and $37,177, with the Volkswagen Jetta priced between $22,865 and $30,186.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Hyundai SONATA loses 46.2 percent of its value and the Volkswagen Jetta loses 40.2 percent of its value. This means the Volkswagen Jetta retains 6 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Hyundai SONATA.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Hyundai SONATA is 8.1 out of 10 while the Volkswagen Jetta's quality rating is 8.0 out of 10. This results in the Hyundai SONATA being ranked 4 out of 13 Best Midsize Cars and the Volkswagen Jetta being ranked 18 out of 37 Best Small Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Hyundai SONATA is 7.1 out of 10. For the Volkswagen Jetta the reliability rating is 7.5 out of 10. This gives the Volkswagen Jetta a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Hyundai SONATA.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Hyundai SONATA’s base engine makes 191 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Jetta base engine makes 158 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Hyundai SONATA, a midsize car, 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, and cargo space. The Volkswagen Jetta, a compact car, has the advantage in the area of rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Hyundai SONATA and the Volkswagen Jetta have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
27032 - 37177
Starting MSRP:
26900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
26816
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
24700 - 28295
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
22865 - 30186
Starting MSRP:
22995
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
28470
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
21590 - 47100
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
26826
Price Range:
22497 - 32850
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
27493
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
25110 - 29237
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
23083
Price Range:
19997 - 27587
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
30314
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
22070 - 52316
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
Depreciation %:
Resale Value $:
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Midsize Cars)
0.43738499
Category Depreciation Range:
(Midsize Cars)
0.35336067 - 0.49749174
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
9380
Depreciation %:
0.40791786
Resale Value $:
13615
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)
0.3979908
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)
0.31796157 - 0.42854561
Hyundai SONATA Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.1 / 10
Reliability:
7.1 / 10
Retained Value:
8.1 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Volkswagen Jetta Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.0 / 10
Reliability:
7.5 / 10
Retained Value:
8.5 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Hyundai SONATA
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
7.8
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
10.9
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
7.8 - 13.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.036
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Jetta
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
10.1
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
12.4
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
8.8 - 16.2
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.067
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.266539227374178
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
3.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.6 - 7.3
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.0292701540362343
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.8 - 28.7
Hyundai SONATA Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 4Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 7Ranking
6 out of / 7Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
10 out of / 13Ranking
11 out of / 13Volkswagen Jetta Rankings
Ranking
6 out of / 37Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
8 out of / 37Ranking
8 out of / 22Ranking
9 out of / 37Ranking
9 out of / 22Ranking
15 out of / 37Ranking
17 out of / 37Ranking
18 out of / 37Ranking
22 out of / 37Ranking
24 out of / 37Ranking
24 out of / 37Ranking
27 out of / 37Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Hyundai SONATA Trim Levels
N Line, SE, SEL, SEL Convenience
Volkswagen Jetta Trim Levels
S, SE, SEL, Sport
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):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
191 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque:
181 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
158 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 1750 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.052 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
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:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
29 / 39 / 33
Range (city/hwy):
371 / 499 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Paddle Shifters:
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
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
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
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
Available
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:
N/A
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 inches
Front Leg Room:
46.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.1 inches
Cargo Space:
16 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
104.4 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:
Not yet available
Width:
73.2 inches
Height:
56.9 inches
Length:
193.3 inches
Wheelbase:
111.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3012 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:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P205/65R16
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
Carbon Blue Pearl / Transmission Blue Pearl
Gray
Portofino Gray Metallic
Red
Ultimate Red Metallic
Silver
Aero Silver Metallic
White
Serenity White Pearl
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl
Blue
Monterey Blue Pearl
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic
Red
Not available
Silver
Pyrite Silver Metallic
White
Pure White
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Dark Gray
Interior Colors
Black
Titan Black
Gray
Storm Gray
