2021 Mazda3 vs. 2021 Volkswagen Jetta
The 2021 Mazda3 and the 2021 Volkwagen Jetta are both stylish compact sedans that have some luxury features. They both offer great looks, great features, and a great driving experience. But if you look closer at the two popular sedans, the differences between them start to become clear, and the 2021 Mazda3 emerges as the clear winner in terms of its offerings and its overall value.
Take a test drive of each of these new models, and you’ll quickly experience these differences for yourself. In the meantime, here’s a closer look at how the 2021 Mazda3 and the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta compare to help guide your decision-making:
Styling and Exterior Features
Put a Mazda up against any vehicle - outside of the luxury market - and the Mazda will always emerge as the clear winner when it comes to style. That is absolutely true for the 2021 Mazda3 and the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta. The Mazda3 has a sleek and sophisticated profile that makes it look like it’s in a higher class of vehicle (read: more expensive). Though the Volkswagen Jetta looks good, it has much more rudimentary styling compared to the Mazda.
Both have aluminum wheels and chrome accents. The Jetta does come in a much wider variety of exterior colors than the Mazda, which comes in Jet Black Mica or Sonic SIlver Metallic. The Mazda also has finer features like body-colored mirrors and door handles.
Interior Styling and Features
The main difference you’ll see when you look inside the 2021 Mazda3 and the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta is the same difference you see on the outside: The Mazda3 is much more stylish and luxurious. Both have cloth upholstery, and the passenger room is head-to-head in both vehicles (the differences are just a fraction of an inch).
You’ll see the biggest differences in the general styling of the two interiors. They have a lot of the same features - a large infotainment display at the center of the dash, a center console in front of a center armrest, and so on - but the layout appears more carefully implemented in the Mazda3. There is more nuance in the design. The display sits atop the dash, and sleek lines run in front of and behind it to set it apart. The center console includes knob controls. The materials throughout appear upscale, and the entire design seems more elegant and refined.
Powertrain
The 2021 Mazda3 may have a much prettier face than the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta, but that doesn’t mean that it is all style and no substance. The Mazda3 has more brawn than its appearance suggests, and it is more powerful than the Jetta.
The base level 2021 Mazda3 comes with a 2.0-liter Inline4 engine that puts out 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque. The engine pairs with a six-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive is standard, though all-wheel drive is optional. In contrast, the base level 2021 Volkswagen Jetta comes with a 1.4-liter turbocharged Inline4 engine that puts out 147 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The Jetta pairs with a six-speed manual transmission and has front-wheel drive.
You’ll enjoy more power in the Mazda3, which will make driving fun. You’ll feel like you can really stretch your legs on the highway and enjoy the open road.
Technology and Convenience Features
The 2021 Mazda3 is loaded with great technology and convenience features, some of which are shared by the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta, but some of which are found only on the luxury-looking sedan.The Mazda3 comes standard with features like a backup camera, automatic headlights, vehicle anti-theft system, intermittent windshield wipers, keyless entry, steering wheel-mounted controls, smart device integration, and a hands-free communication system.
Some of the features that you will find on the Mazda3 that you either can’t get on the Volkswagen Jetta or that you have to pay extra for include adaptive cruise control, keyless start, remote engine start, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and HD radio.
The 2021 Mazda3 is loaded with features that make driving fun.
Safety Features
Many people often choose sedans because they are among the safer vehicles on the market. Both the 2021 Mazda3 and the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta have gotten good safety ratings, making them good choices for those that prioritize safety, either for themselves or their families.
The 2021 Mada3 comes with safety features including brake assistance, electronic stability control, daytime running lights, child safety locks, and traction control - all features that the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta shares. Some features that come with the Mazda3 that you won’t find on the Jetta include lane departure warning and lane keep assist.
The Jetta offers blind spot monitoring and cross traffic alert as optional features. Both sedans also come with a suite of airbags and antilock brakes for added safety.
You can feel confident about driving either sedan, but the Mazda3 offers a few more safety features to give you that added protection.
Choosing the 2021 Mazda 3
The choice is clear when it comes to the 2021 Mazda3 and the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta. The Mazda3 offers luxurious styling, powerful performance, and advanced technology and safety features that you won’t find on the Jetta. You can get a sophisticated sedan that looks like it belongs to a much higher class with the Mazda3, while still being able to stick to your budget.
Seacoast Mazda is proud to offer the 2021 Mazda3, and our friendly and knowledgeable sales associates are ready to help you learn all about its features and what makes it special. Visit our dealership to take a test drive of the all-new Mazda3 and fall in love with the way it handles and how fun it is to drive. Then talk with our finance specialists to find the perfect terms to fit your budget. Our dedicated team will be here long after you drive off the lot with your new Mazda3, offering certified service and maintenance to keep your sedan looking and driving great for many years to come.