2017 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2017 Hyundai Elantra

Here’s an interesting tidbit. If you read up on the 2017 Hyundai Elantra on the Hyundai website, you’ll see it boastfully compared to nearly half a dozen models from rival manufacturers.

It’s quite a cunning move, until you realize the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta is absent from the roster of competitors.

It didn’t take long for the Volkswagen team at Hoy Volkswagen to notice this glaring omission. As El Paso’s #1 Volkswagen experts, we take a lot of pride in knowing how well VW’s stack up to the competition. In the case of the Jetta, it leaves the Hyundai Elantra in the dust.

Let’s take a look at how the Jetta and Elantra stack up.

PERFORMANCE

The 2017 Volkswagen Jetta S and SE models are powered by a 1.4L Turbo that puts out 150 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque while being able to maintain impressive fuel economy levels of 28 miles per gallon in the city and 40mpg on the highway. Going up to the Jetta SEL nets a 20 horsepower boost thanks to stepping up to a 1.8L Turbo. If maximum performance is what you’re after, the Jetta GLI packs a 210 horsepower 2.0L Turbo under the hood while still maintaining a very healthy 23 and 33 mpg on the city and highway.

Over on the Hyundai side, the base trim level Elantra SE and top end Limited model are both powered by a 147 horsepower four cylinder engine that churns out a meager 132 lb-ft of torque while netting 29/38mpg.

We’ll be the first to admit that three more horsepower isn’t much to brag about but an astonishing advantage of 52 more lb-ft of torque sure is. Thanks to the Jetta’s turbocharged engine, the added torque makes it much snappier off the line and keeps plenty of on-demand power at the ready should the need arise to put the pedal to the metal.

Curiously, it’s only the Hyundai Elantra Eco model that is given the turbo treatment. However, its horsepower drops down to a lean 128 and the torque gets bumped up to a modest 156 lb-ft.

Now that we’ve established that the Volkswagen Jetta has a more robust and equally thrifty powertrain than the Hyundai Elantra, let’s examine the other key components that contribute to overall performance.

Suspension System

Volkswagen Jetta: Four wheel independent multi-link suspension with anti-roll bars front and rear.

Hyundai Elantra: The front suspension relies on a MacPherson Strut system with a stabilizer bar while the rear uses a coupled torsion solid beam axle design.

To make a long technical story short, a four wheel independent suspension as featured on the Jetta will always be more agile than a solid axle design that forces wheels to move together whether they need to or not. If you’re looking for a sedan with maximum road hugging capability that can handle all the twists and turns El Paso has to offer you don’t need to look any further than the Volkswagen Jetta.

Braking

Volkswagen Jetta: Power assisted dual circuit discs front and rear with anti-lock braking standard on all four wheels with four channel brake pressure distribution.

Hyundai Elantra: Both the SE and Eco rely on a mix of disc brakes on the front and drum brakes in the rear. This 1980s technology is bolstered by ABS on the front but you need to jump all the top end Limited trim in order to find disc brakes and ABS on all for wheels.

Final verdict, the Jetta is far and away the clear winner when it comes to braking and suspension systems.

SAFETY

When it comes to safety features it really isn’t much of a contest between the Jetta and Elantra starting with the Jetta’s unmatched 5-Star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Jetta earned the NHTSA’s highest safety rating thanks to a variety of safety features ranging from a high-strength steel reinforced body and safety cage to Volkswagen innovations such as an Automatic Post-Collision Breaking System to an Intelligent Crash Response System that automatically turns off the fuel pump, unlocks the doors, and activates the hazard lights in the event of a collision.

Meanwhile, the Hyundai saves most of its higher end features for their upper tier Elantra Limited model and even then, many features that come standard across the range of Jetta trims are optional add-ons.

DESIGN

A car’s look is always going to be subjective but ask yourself this, when was the last time you were cruising around El Paso and stopped to do a double take on a Hyundai? You can’t remember can you? It’s OK. If your number one goal when driving is to blend in to the point of being anonymous, the Elantra might be ticket. But if you have any shred of personal style, such an inconspicuous car will only take all the fun out of driving.

With a sleek, muscular style that been become a trademark, the Volkswagen Jetta turns heads wherever it goes. Couple that with a performance oriented interior that puts the all the vital controls at the driver’s finger tips whether they are in the car or not. Volkwagen’s innovative Car-Net App Connect brings a stunning new level of connectivity between driver and car that must be seen to be believed.

Plus, there’s the fact that the Jetta has more cargo space than the Elantra and many more available factory accessories such as bike, kayak, and ski racks that make it the perfect El Paso adventure sedan.

VALUE

Finally, it’s time for the million dollar question that won’t break the bank. While the base Hyundai Elantra SE comes in at $17,150 compared to $17,895 for the Jetta S, the most important detail to keep in mind is that many of the features that come standard in the entry level Jetta, aren’t found until you bump all the way up the $22,350 Elantra Limited. As you progress through Volkswagen’s Jetta lineup, you’ll see the bang for the buck can’t be beat from top to bottom.

And let’s not overlook look the Hoy Volkswagen advantage. Being the Volkswagen leader of El Paso definitely has its perks for you.

Contact us today for your special Hoy Volkswagen price and very attractive leasing offers.