Volkswagen Jetta vs Volkswagen Passat: Difference and Comparison

There are a variety of car types available on the market, from pickups to hatchbacks. However, when buying one, one must consider what kind would suit their needs the best.

The sedan is becoming one of the most popular choices for consumers today, and for good reasons. Compared to other types of cars, sedans have many advantages.

Sedans are lighter than most SUVs, so they consume less fuel. Trucks are more expensive than sedans.

Although trucks and SUVs are significantly larger, sedans have excellent handling and better aerodynamics.

As a result of these benefits, many people are considering buying a sedan despite the stereotype that sedans are only small family cars. Volkswagen offers its consumers the Jetta and Passat models as affordable sedans. 

Key Takeaways

  1. Jetta is a compact sedan, while Passat is a midsize sedan, offering more space and comfort.
  2. Passat features a more powerful engine and advanced safety features than Jetta.
  3. Jetta has a lower starting price, making it more affordable than Passat.

Volkswagen Jetta vs Volkswagen Passat 

The difference between VW Jetta and VW Passat is that Jetta is a 5 seater compact sedan, whereas Passat is 5 seaters midsize sedan. This means that Jetta has slightly less room as compared to Passat.

Volkswagen Jetta vs Volkswagen Passat

The Volkswagen Jetta is a compact sedan that has been manufactured since 1979. Jetta models have been produced for over seven decades.

This model has seen improvements since its first generation. The name “Jetta” was chosen by Volkswagen after being inspired by the Atlantic “jet stream”.

Volkswagen Passat is a series of midsize sedans that have been manufactured since 1973. Over eight generations have been produced.

Volkswagen decided on the name “Passat” after being inspired by the German word for trade winds, “Passatwind”.

Comparison Table

Parameters of ComparisonVolkswagen JettaVolkswagen Passat
HeadroomJetta has a front headroom of 38.5 inches and back headroom of 37.2 inches.Passat has a front headroom of 38.3 inches and back headroom of 37.8 inches.
LegroomJetta has a front legroom of 41.1 inches and back legroom of 37.4 inches.Passat has a front legroom of 42.4 inches and back legroom of 39.1 inches.
Shoulder room Jetta has a front shoulder room of 55.9 inches and a back shoulder room of 54 inches.Passat has a front shoulder room of 56.9 inches and a back shoulder room of 57 inches.
Cargo VolumeJetta has a cargo volume of 14.1 cubic feet.Passat has a cargo volume of 15.9 cubic feet.
Passenger VolumeJetta has a passenger volume of 94.7 cubic feet.Passat has a passenger volume of 102.2 cubic feet.
PriceThe Jetta is a cheaper alternative to the Passat.The Passat is more expensive than the Jetta.
EngineA 1390 cc engine powers the Jetta.A 1968 cc engine powers the Passat.
Fuel typeThe Jetta is a petrol-powered model.The Passat is a diesel-powered model.
Engine typeThere is a 4-cylinder, In-line, Turbocharged, Intercooled petrol engine in the Jetta.A DSG automatic engine powers the Passat.
Maximum powerA Jetta’s maximum power is 120 bhp at 5000 rpm.Passat’s maximum power is 174 bhp at 3600 rpm.
Max torqueJetta has a maximum torque of 200 Nm at 1500 rpm.The Passat has a maximum torque of 350 Nm at 1500 rpm.
MileageJetta delivers a mileage of 14.69.The mileage on the Passat is 17.42.
TransmissionThe Jetta comes with a manual transmission.The transmission on the Passat is automatic. 

What is Volkswagen Jetta?

The VW Jetta is a compact sedan manufactured in 1979. There have been over seven generations of the Jetta.

Its features have continually improved since the first model. The Volkswagen Jetta got its name after being inspired by the jet stream flowing across the Atlantic.

Volkswagen improved a few things to keep its Jetta relevant even though it looks like any other sedan.

Newly designed headlights have a bit more angular shape and surround a larger grille with three chrome slats instead of two. This gives the car a wider appearance.

The taillights on the rear end are slender and sharper as well, which is similar to what can be seen at the front.  

The headroom in the front of the Jetta is 38.5 inches, and the headroom in the back is 37.2 inches. The front legroom on the Jetta is 41.1 inches, and the back legroom is 37.4 inches.

Unlike many of its competitors, the Jetta has a generous 55.9-inch front shoulder room and 54 inch rear shoulder room. The vehicle has a cargo volume of 14.1 cubic feet. VW Jettas have passenger volumes of 94.7 cu. ft.

They are less expensive than Passats. Their engine measures 1390 cc. Jettas have a petrol engine.

120 bhp is the maximum power of a Jetta at 5000 rpm. The Jetta has a maximum torque of 200 Nm at 1500 In terms of mileage, the Jetta achieves 14.69.

It comes with a 6-speed manual transmission.

volkswagen jetta 1 scaled

What is Volkswagen Passat?

VW Passats have been manufactured since 1973 and are midsize sedans. The Passat has gone through over eight generations.

Volkswagen chose the name “Passat” because it is a translation of the German word for trade wind, “Passatwind”.

The midsize sedan segment has been shrinking over the past few years due to the growing popularity of SUVs. However, Volkswagen sold the Passat series at a very affordable price and loaded it with many features.

This sedan has to compete not only with the most popular SUVs but also with other midsize sedans.

VW’s Passat has 38.3 inches of front headroom and 37.8 inches of back headroom. There are 42.4 inches of legroom in the front and 39.1 inches in the back of the Passat.

A Passat has a front shoulder room of 56.9 inches and a back shoulder room of 57 inches. There are 102.2 cubic feet of passenger space in the Passat.

It is more expensive to buy a Passat than a Jetta. Passats come with automatic transmissions.

Approximately 17.42 miles per gallon can be covered by the Passat. The Passat produces 350 Nm of torque at 1500 rpm. At 3600 rpm, the Passat produces 174 horsepower.

The Passat is equipped with a DSG automatic transmission. Diesel engines power the Passat.

The Passat is powered by a 1968cc engine.

volkswagen passat scaled

Main Difference Between Volkswagen Jetta and Volkswagen Passat

  1. The Jetta has less space than the Passat.
  2. The Jetta delivers less maximum power and torque than the Passat.
  3. The Jetta has a 4-cylinder, In-line, Turbocharged, Intercooled petrol engine, while the Passat has a diesel-powered DSG automatic engine.
  4. The Jetta is available with a manual transmission, while the Passat has an automatic transmission.
  5. The Jetta has lower mileage than the Passat.
References
  1. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s35146-013-0005-x
  2. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/6051842/

Last Updated : 13 July, 2023

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8 thoughts on “Volkswagen Jetta vs Volkswagen Passat: Difference and Comparison”

  1. The comparison between the two models is quite insightful. The information about engine types and transmissions is particularly useful.

    Reply
  2. Sedans are one of the best options for city driving due to their compact size and fuel efficiency. It’s great to see such detailed information about these two models.

    Reply
  3. I don’t agree with the claim that the Jetta is less powerful – it depends on the specific engine and trim level. The Passat may be larger, but that doesn’t automatically mean it’s better.

    Reply
  4. The article provides a great overview of the main differences and features of the Jetta and Passat. I appreciate the attention to detail.

    Reply
  5. Wow, this is a very comprehensive comparison! It’s interesting to see how these two Volkswagen sedans differ in so many aspects.

    Reply

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