If you’re at that point where you’re just about ready to pick your next new car for sale or used car in El Paso, then the time to decide what car to purchase is going to be the best fit for your needs and lifestyle. There are so many factors to consider when shopping for your next vehicle, but there are a few that can help to make your decision easier.
When it comes to compact sedans, the Volkswagen Jetta, the Ford Focus, and the Toyota Corolla are most likely at the top of your list (and if they aren’t already, they should be). All three are safe, reliable cars that will get you where you want to go. But like anything, they aren’t identical. Here’s a quick cheat-sheet for comparing the two and the options they can come with.
Trims
Let’s take a quick peek at the range of gas mileage on these three. Both the Jetta and Focus have a solid range of engine configurations and trim options that open up more options in terms of efficiency and power. The Focus’s mileage and power hang primarily around that of the Focus S (159hp, 26/36 city/highway). Meanwhile, the Jetta ranges from the 1.8T (115 hp, 25/34 city/highway) to the Jetta GLI 2.0T (210 hp, 23/33 city/highway). The Corolla barely breaks 140hp with the LE Eco (30/40 city/highway).
While the Focus and Corolla have fairly comparable gas mileage, the Jetta offers substantially more options for horsepower and style. Additionally, the history of reliability in Volkswagen parts, repairs, and service will keep you satisfied and worry-free.
Safety
Aside from the standard features that most modern cars come with, the Jetta, Corolla, and Focus come with additional safety components to keep you and your passengers secure as you travel around Texas and the Southwest.
That said, some of the VW-specific safety features that come standard on most Jetta models put it ahead of the class. These include Electronic Stability Control (including Electronic Differential Lock), Engine Braking and Hydraulic Brake Assist, airbags for all passengers, a steering wheel that is deformable/collapsible upon impact, an anti-theft alarm system, an Intelligent Crash Response System, and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System. Neither the Corolla nor the Focus can boast even half of these.
Storage and Towing
Ever had that moment when you clench your fists on the curb muttering, “if I could just fit this thing into my car…?” The Jetta is here to put that frustration to rest. While the Corolla does boast a roomy interior, especially for a compact sedan, with around 97 cubic feet of passenger space (with the moonroof), and it is definitely a comfortable ride (far more so than the Focus, coming in at barely over 90 cubic feet of passenger space) the Jetta puts the space where it counts. With nearly 3 cubic feet more storage capacity, the difference between the Focus and Corolla’s 13 cubic feet of cargo capacity and the Jetta’s 15.7 is substantial enough to fit that frustrating cargo that the competition can’t.
Between the stylistic and engine configuration options, the amazing safety features that massively outshine the competition, the added cargo space, and the possible gas mileage (especially when considering the hybrid option), the Jetta clearly pulls ahead of the pack in the Compact Sedan class. So when you call up Hoy Volkswagen to set up your VW test drive at our dealership, make sure ask which Jetta’s are available and how soon they can be yours.
