2025 Mazda3 Hatchback vs. 2025 Volkswagen Jetta
Buyers looking for affordability, fuel efficiency, and a dose of style in a modern compact five-seater passenger car will do well to take a closer look at these two vehicles featured in our article, the Volkswagen Jetta vs. Mazda3 Hatchback.
Choices in this compact passenger segment include solid products from other Japanese brands and the Germans. We look at how the latest 2025 Mazda3 in Hatchback configuration stacks up against the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta.
Read on as we share what each of these popular buys has to offer prospective owners.
What's New?
2025 Mazda3 Hatchback
For 2025, the Mazda3 Hatchback continues with little changes aside from the addition of a new, more affordable entry-level 2.5 S trim.
Upgrades to the infotainment specifications on the rest of the range include the addition of Amazon Alexa built-in, plus Mazda Online Navigation.
Buyers have seven trim levels to choose from: 2.5 S. 2.5 S Select Sport, 2.5 S Preferred, 2.5 S Carbon Edition, 2.5 S Premium, 2.5 Carbon Turbo, and the top-of-the-range 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus.
2025 Volkswagen Jetta
2025 Volkswagen Jetta, available only in sedan body shape, is treated to a mild refresh to keep the stylish sedan up to date. With the discontinuation of the VW Golf hatchback, the Jetta is VW’s sole offering in this compact passenger vehicle segment.
The 2025 Jetta sees changes on the exterior with the front end and rear redesigns, along with new alloy wheel designs and the addition of new paint colors.
The interior has also been updated with a new dashboard design, and standard infotainment equipment has been bumped up.
Trim options include S, Sport, SE, and the rage topper SEL.
2025 Volkswagen Jetta vs. Mazda3 Hatchback: Drivetrains
The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta vs. Mazda3 Hatchback comparison continues with drivetrain options. The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta vs. Mazda3 Hatchback comparison has with drivetrain options. The 2025 Mazda3 Hatchback continues with two engine fitments: a base naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter SKYACTIV four-cylinder producing 191 horsepower @ 6000 rpm and 189 pound-feet of torque @4000 and a turbocharged version making 250 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm and 320 pound-feet of torque @ 2500 rpm.
Both engines are mated to a SKYACTIV-Drive 6-speed automatic transmission with manual and sport modes. Power is sent to the front wheels while Mazda i-ACTIV AWD (all-wheel drive) is available on mid-tier Carbon Edition trim levels and up and standard on turbo trim levels.
The 2025 Jetta continues with its sole engine option: a 1.5-liter, 16-valve DOHC turbo four-cylinder engine that produces 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque.
An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard fit across all trims, and power is only sent to the front wheels.
Exterior Design
Examining the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta vs. Mazda3 Hatchback, the 2025 Mazda3 Hatchback sports an exterior design with striking curves and angles, which allows the Mazda3 Hatchback’s exterior style to remain current.
Mazda3’s familiar Mazda family front grille is seen up front along with slim horizontal LED headlights with auto on/off function and standard LED daytime running lights.
Standout features are rear LED combination tail lights and a black rear roof spoiler.
All trims roll on stylish alloy wheels ranging from 16 to 18 inches.
The Jetta three-box sedan body shows off a mature exterior, typical of German Teutonic car design. The 2025 Jetta’s front end sports a new grille and LED headlamp designs with auto on/off LED daytime driving lights, with upper trims getting a grille-spanning light bar treatment.
Moving to the rear of the Jetta, a new trunk lid design features a standard full-width light bar that connects the rear LED tail lamps, and LED license plate lighting is standard.
Alloy wheels are standard across the lineup from 16 to 18 inches.
Interior and Comfort
The interior experience of the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta vs. Mazda3 Hatchback is quite distinct. The 2025 Mazda3 Hatchback offers an upscale cabin with quality materials and outstanding Japanese craftsmanship. All trims offer plenty of luxury and comfort features.
The Mazda seats five passengers with adjustable front & rear headrests in all seating positions. Lower trim levels are finished in black cloth with leather upholstery choices in greige, white, or red, the reserve of upper trim levels.
Standard interior features include a dual-zone automatic climate control system, power windows with a one-touch up/down feature, power door locks with speed-sensitive auto door locks plus steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise control switches, front map lights, and cargo lights.
The Mazda3 offers an EPA cargo volume of 20.1 cubic feet behind the standard 60/40 split fold-down rear seatback.
The 2025 Jetta sees interior updates that include a new dashboard design featuring a three-bar theme for the air vents. The VW features a standard Climatronic® Touch dual-zone automatic climate control.
Lower trim seats are upholstered in cloth, and a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel is standard across the range. Upper trims get leather seating, a heated steering wheel, and ventilated front seats with driver position memory.
Safety and Driver Assistance
Safety and driver assistance features in the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta vs. Mazda3 Hatchback comparison are notable. The Mazda3's comprehensive safety equipment list does not change, and buyers will have absolute peace of mind knowing that the Mazda3 Hatchback was awarded the IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2025 and received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Standard driver assistance equipment includes automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.
The Jetta features plenty of standard driver-assistance technology and upgraded equipment for 2025, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance. Key safety features include Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking.
2025 Mazda3 Hatchback vs. Volkswagen Jetta: Infotainment
Infotainment in the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta vs. Mazda3 Hatchback also offers differing experiences. The Mazda3 is kitted as standard with an 8.8-inch infotainment display and a larger, 10.3-inch display available on Turbo trims. The infotainment system is controlled via standard Mazda Connect and the console-mounted Command Controller rotary knob.
Standard equipment is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a six-speaker Mazda Harmonics audio system with upper trims getting an eight-speaker Mazda Harmonics system.
A premium 12-speaker Bose stereo system and SiriusXM satellite radio are extra-cost options.
The VW Jetta trims all feature a standard eight-inch infotainment screen, and a four-speaker audio system is standard.
In-car connectivity includes App-Connect® smartphone integration for compatible devices, Bluetooth® technology with audio streaming for compatible devices, and two USB Type-C 45 Watt data and charging sockets in the front row.
Get Your 2025 Mazda3 Hatchback at Seacoast Mazda
Learn more about the sporty 2025 Mazda3 Hatchback at Seacoast Mazda in Portsmouth, NH. Compare its features and performance directly with the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta by scheduling a test drive. Our dedicated sales team at Seacoast Mazda is ready to assist you in exploring the exciting options between the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta vs. Mazda3 Hatchback and finding the perfect fit for your driving needs.
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