| 2011 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2010 Mazda 3 | June 17, 2010 | AUTORIVALS.NET |
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| With the arrival of the redesigned
Volkswagen Jetta, the compact sedan segment is becoming as competitive as the family
midsize sedan segment. Volkswagen seems
determined in being the number one automaker in the world and
the new Jetta only helps their cause. The revision of the new Volkswagen
Jetta brings a premium design compared to its predecessor with an
Audi-esque exterior, increase in size, and perhaps most
shockingly, a decrease in price. The larger dimensions put the
Jetta in a hairs reach of competing with larger midsized sedans but is
priced to compete with compacts. If the Jetta manages typical
Volkswagen refinement, it may become
the new benchmark of compact cars. |
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| 2011 Volkswagen Jetta | vs | 2010 Mazda 3 |
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| While nearly every automaker seems to be going with dynamic, fluid designs, Volkswagen is staying with tried-and-true clean sheet metal. The front fascia is much cleaner than before doing away with the chrome and body accents. The Jetta gets Volkswagen's new corporate face with sharper lines and a more aggressive demeanor. Compared with the happy-go-lucky design of the Mazda 3, the Jetta looks decisively more upscale despite remaining in the same price range. It almost seems as if each vehicle were designed for different demographics: the Jetta for yuppie professionals, and the 3 for young teenagers. | ||
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| The Mazda 3 is the polar opposite of the Jetta in terms of exterior styling. Subtle and sleek are not in the 3's vocabulary. Jubilant and bubbly might be a better way of describing it. While the Jetta manages restrained good looks, the 3 wears an enormous smile as a front grille. The Jetta's new face comes straight from the NCC concept car shown at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show but unfortunately loses the Audi-like LED headlights. The "tray-shaped" front spoiler remains though which manages to give the Jetta some sporty appeal to an otherwise plain but attractive front end. | ||
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| There's a number of subtle creases on the Jetta that give it some character. For instance, the creases on the hood and front fenders create an indentation that leads into the belt line that flows all the way to the rear. The wheel arches are flared slightly but not as dramatically as on the 3. The 3's front fenders and creased side is incorporates the RX-8's side design also seen on the Mazda 6. The Jetta adds some nice finishing touches such as integrated fog lights and optional 18-inch wheels. The thin integrated turn signals on the side mirrors are designed especially well with resemblance to the Volkswagen CC. Considering the CC costs twice as much, it's refreshing to see swanky design cues trickle down into the Jetta. | ||
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| The two inch difference in length
(the Jetta is longer) is exaggerated by the difference in
profile designs. The sleeker body of the Jetta gives it a
sportier look than the dome-shaped design of the 3. The Jetta's
beltline is accentuated with a crease flowing from the headlight
to taillight and the shape resembles the Audi A4 more than the
last generation Jetta. The new Jetta's rear has the strongest resemblance to the Audi A4 (see notes below). The taillights thankfully feature an all-red pattern rather than the white circle pattern design from before. The 3's design gets less controversial as you move away from the front. There's a good mixture of lines and curves with peculiar but not distasteful taillights flanking the rear. Interestingly enough, creases on the rear fender create a bit of "Bangle-Butt" design. |
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Interiors are Volkswagen and Mazda's fortes. The Jetta and 3's
dashboards differ in design but manage an expensive look and
feel. Like the Jetta's exterior, the interior has a traditional
design with simple controls and a navigation system front and
center. The center console is angled slightly toward the driver
the same way Audi's do. A combination of different materials and
colors are what really sets the Jetta's interior apart when you
remember the price starts at sixteen grand. The 3's interior is more contemporary with an unusual placement of the navigation and info screen above the center stack. The smooth dashboard isn't angled like the Jetta but controls are in easier reach. Premium features are available including a BOSE 10-speaker surround sound system, cell phone and iPod connectivity, satellite radio, and rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone automatic air conditioning. There's even push-button engine starting. |
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PROS +Premium looks +Clean design +Sleek looks +Possibly the new compact car benchmark CONS -A tad bland |
PROS +Don't worry, be happy +Quality interior CONS -Joker face |
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| Video Source: Volkswagen via YouTube |
| 2011 Volkswagen Jetta | vs | 2010 Audi A4 |
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