We enjoy driving cars at Driving Fun and Family, but they can sometimes be expensive. This piece will compare two of the most affordable new vehicles: the Volkswagen Jetta and the Hyundai Elantra. With the average new car price steadily climbing yearly, these two competitors cost under $30,000 as tested. Let's jump into it: the Volkswagen Jetta Trendline has an MSRP of $26,169 and is built at the Puebla, MEX plant, while the Hyundai Elantra Preferred with Tech package costs $28,745 and is built at the Ulsan, KOR plant.
Some may say looks are unimportant for entry-level cars; we'd argue that you want to maximize every dollar when investing thousands of dollars. The Korean-made Elantra, redesigned about four years ago, still looks fresh today thanks to its recently tweaked styling. Hyundai's design team already set their sights on a performance version of the vehicle, leading to a striking front and back design. The sharp profile lines create an excellent ensemble, contrasting with the Volkswagen Jetta. The German-engineered Jetta fills the gap at the lower end of the brand as a more conservative option. The rounded front grille and rear bumper look decent but uninspired. VW's compact sedan has been around for years, and in this generation, they have smoothed the edges a little too much. The Hyundai Elantra has a more appealing design, which gives it an advantage in this round.
Inside, both vehicles offer the basics. The Volkswagen Jetta Trendline has all the features you genuinely need. You get heated front seats, a digital gauge cluster, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a rear-view camera, an electronic parking brake and a rear-view camera, to name a few. Can you imagine that in an economy car twenty years ago? Having to turn the key in the ignition to start the car was funny at first; it wasn't that long ago that you had to turn the key in every vehicle. The comfortline trim adds a few goodies, such as a power-adjustable driver's seat, a wireless charging pad, dual-zone electronic temperature control and a larger infotainment screen.
The Elantra had a few more bells and whistles, including automatic climate controls, a power sunroof and a larger infotainment. The Preferred trim is the perfect example of what people would choose to have a balance between options and what they will use daily. Our test model costs about $4,000 more than the Essential; the difference is noticeable, but you don't feel penalized, and it has all the necessities.
In terms of interior space, both vehicles are similar in this aspect. They sit comfortably four adults, and the middle back seat is mostly for exceptional use. Hyundai and Volkswagen used cloth seats; the Elantra has « Premium » cloth but still has cloth seating. We found the seats in the German-engineered sedan to be a little more comfortable than its Korean counterpart; they're also a little larger. Family-wise, in both cases, you can find the ISOFIX ports easily, and the rear anchors are on the top part, behind the headrests. Cargo capacity is also quite similar; they have a nice large trunk, although the opening in the Jetta is a little larger than the Elantra. You can release the second-row seats from the trunk, which is a neat party trick, too. Overall, we believe the VW deserves the crown due to its well-balanced pricing and everyday usability.
Under the hood, the Volkswagen Jetta GLI was a lot of fun (read the article here); the base version is down to Earth. The Volkswagen Jetta delivers a decent driving experience, particularly with its 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, generating 158 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with a smooth six-speed manual transmission. The engine revs comfortably, and the turbo kicks in near the redline, enhancing performance. The comfort-tuned suspension handles rough roads effectively, while the steering offers decent feedback for daily commuting despite noticeable body roll in corners. Fuel economy is impressive, achieving under 5L/100km (47 mpg) on the highway and 8L/100km (29.4 mpg) in the city. The Hyundai Elantra features a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine producing 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an Intelligent Variable Transmission (CVT). While the powertrain is predictable and easy to live with, it struggles with noise and keeps the revs higher, which isn't ideal. The suspension on the Elantra is slightly stiffer; it enhances driving in corners, but compromises ride quality, making bumps more noticeable than in the Jetta. Its fuel economy is good, averaging 5.6L/100km (42 mpg) on the highway, with city mileage matching that of the Jetta. Fuel-wise, the Elantra was faring as expected, with an average of 5.6L/100km (42 mpg) on the highway and 8L/100km (29.4 mpg) in the city. Regardless of your preference for automatic or manual transmission, the VW Jetta is the superior option, thanks to the turbocharged engine, even in the base version.
The Volkswagen Jetta and Hyundai Elantra are trying to capture a bigger share of the entry-level, compact sedan. These are two good options for people leaving the typical Japanese competition. Ultimately, by a slight margin, our choice would be the VW Jetta because of its better transmission and superior fuel economy on the highway. However, its styling leaves to be desired (Volkswagen revealed the new generation in the meantime and partly corrected this flaw). While the Elantra boasts a striking design and a few additional features, it needs to improve in terms of driving dynamics and overall comfort.
Volkswagen and Hyundai have lent us this vehicle for one week as a press vehicle. We have no affiliation with Volkswagen and Hyundai Canada. The above reflects our personal opinion of the cars referred to above.
