Volkswagen Jetta vs. Volvo S40
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Volkswagen Jetta and Volvo S40 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 Volkswagen Jetta and the Volvo S40.
In comparing the Volkswagen Jetta's and the Volvo S40's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Jetta has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency and interior volume. The Volvo S40 has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Volkswagen Jetta's and the Volvo S40's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2011 Volkswagen Jetta ranges from $4,498 to $10,963 while a used 2011 Volvo S40 is priced between $3,962 to $9,999.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Volkswagen Jetta’s base engine makes 115 horsepower, and the Volvo S40 base engine makes 227 horsepower. The Jetta is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 493 miles. The S40 is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 477 miles. This gives the Volkswagen Jetta the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Volvo S40. Both models use gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Volkswagen Jetta has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more rear leg room and cargo space. The Volvo S40 has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front leg room, rear head room and rear shoulder room. The Volkswagen Jetta and Volvo S40 are comparable in regards to front shoulder room.
Safety Ratings: The Volkswagen Jetta has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$14,995
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$16,486
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$14,945 - $20,045
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$27,750
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$7,314
Price Range:
$4,498 - $10,963
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$8,366
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$6,438 - $12,602
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
130
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
124,967
# Good or Great Deals:
32
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$7,539
Price Range:
$3,962 - $9,999
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
6
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
103,700
# Good or Great Deals:
4
Volkswagen Jetta Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.8 / 10
Reliability:
8.1 / 10
Retained Value:
8.3 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Volvo S40 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Jetta
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volvo S40
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.8
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
5.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.1 - 20.1
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.3
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Volkswagen 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 / 43Volvo S40 Rankings
Available Body Styles
Sedan, Wagon
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Diesel, Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Volkswagen Jetta Trim Levels
Base, S, SE, SE PZEV, SEL, SEL PZEV, TDI, SportWagen S, SportWagen S PZEV, SportWagen SE, SportWagen SE PZEV, SportWagen TDI
Volvo S40 Trim Levels
T5, T5 R-Design
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
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
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
115 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque:
125 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.041 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
227 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
236 foot-lbs @ 1500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.067 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):
24 / 34 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
348 / 493 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
5
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 30 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
334 / 477 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Bench Seats:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Available
Bluetooth:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
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
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
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
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
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
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
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
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup 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
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup 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
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:
15.5 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
94.1 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.6 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.2 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.1 inches
Cargo Space:
12.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
92.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2804 lbs
Width:
70 inches
Height:
57.2 inches
Length:
182.2 inches
Wheelbase:
104.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3363 lbs
Width:
69.7 inches
Height:
57.2 inches
Length:
176.2 inches
Wheelbase:
103.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P195/65R15
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
205/50R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Uni
Blue
Tempest Blue Metallic
Brown
Toffee Brown Metallic
Gold
White Gold Metallic
Gray
Platinum Grey Metallic
Red
Tornado Red
Silver
Reflex Silver Metallic
White
Candy White
Exterior Colors
Black
Solid Black
Blue
Barents Blue Metallic
Brown
Not available
Gold
Not available
Gray
Titanium Gray Metallic
Red
Flamenco Red Metallic
Silver
Silver Metallic
White
Ice White
Interior Colors
Black
Titan Black
Brown
Latte Macchiato
Beige
Not available
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Not available
Brown
Not available
Beige
Calcite / Dark Beige with Quartz Beige
Gray
Off Black
