The 2025 Mazda3 and 2025 Volkswagen Jetta are proven players that have been on the market for a long time. Both of these small cars are pleasurable to drive, and both return good fuel economy.
Let’s take a closer look at the Mazda3 and the Volkswagen Jetta.
2025 Mazda3
Mazda’s long been known for its spirited, fuel-efficient cars, and the 2025 Mazda3 certainly continues that legacy. It remains available as a sedan or a hatchback.
There are seven available trim levels, so you’re bound to find a good choice. The entry-level Mazda3, the 2.5 S, previously available only as a sedan can now be had as a hatchback as well. Still, it’s powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder putting out 191 horsepower, an impressive number for this class of car. If you move up a few trim levels, an upgraded turbocharged powertrain is offered, boosting the ponies up to 250.
In the Mazda3, you’re getting a car that’s comfortable and fun to drive, with the availability of traction-enhancing all-wheel drive (AWD). Pricing starts at $25,335, including destination cost.
Mazda3 Highlights
Carbon Turbo: Mazda added the Carbon Turbo trim for the last year. Essentially, it adds the 250-hp turbocharged engine, making sure there’s plenty of “go” to accompany the “show,” which includes new terracotta leatherette upholstery.
Plenty of power: The base engine in the Mazda3 is a 2.5-liter 4 cylinder putting out 191 hp. For the class, it’s an excellent powerplant with impressive fuel economy to match. But if you’re looking for a little from your small car, moving up to the turbo model nets you an impressive 250 hp (with premium fuel). The power upgrade is felt immediately, and models with this engine also get all-wheel drive as standard.
Safety features: The standard safety and technology suite includes automatic emergency braking, full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is also included.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Mazda3 models for sale near you.
2025 Volkswagen Jetta
The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta features a sleek look on the outside. It has the kind of appealing, conservative styling you expect from a German-engineered sedan. It chooses elegance over outspokenness.
The Jetta hasn’t changed much in the past few years. With its clean lines, that’s fine by us. However, the inside gets a more modern look for 2025, including a floating 8-inch touchscreen and haptic touch dual-zone climate controls. Additionally, the IQ.Drive suite of standard driver assistance technology sees several improvements. The Jetta’s technology improves as you move up through its trim levels: S, Sport, SE, and SEL. The higher-performance Jetta GLI is offered as the 40th Anniversary edition and the GLI Autobahn. It’s reviewed separately.
If you want a smart-looking and fuel-efficient compact sedan available with a 6-speed manual transmission, the Jetta should be on your radar. It’s powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that smoothly produces 158 hp. It won’t snap your neck when pulling away from the light, but it’s totally fine when merging into traffic on the highway. Pricing starts at $23,220, including destination fee.
Volkswagen Jetta Highlights
Safety smarts: Every Jetta with an automatic transmission comes standard with its IQ.Drive safety technology suite. It includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, emergency stop assistance, and adaptive cruise control.
Fuel sipper: While most vehicles in this class are pretty good on gas, the Jetta is better than most. It’s rated by the EPA at an impressive 29 mpg city/40 mpg highway/33 mpg combined with an automatic transmission. At the end of the day, it’s nice to have a car that’s easy on your wallet.
Better-than-average warranty: The 2025 VW Jetta comes with 4-year/50,000-mile new car and powertrain warranties. The former is better than the 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty of the Mazda3 (and many other cars in this class).
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Jetta models for sale near you.
Similarities
These two compact sedans have been around for some time. Each is a well-known offering with excellent safety ratings, and each delivers good utility in a package that’s cleanly styled, fuel efficient, and fun to drive. They both also boast sporty upmarket versions with added power and a sportier suspension.
Pricing
New 2025 MAZDA MAZDA3 Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$25,335 |
$24,701 |
|||
$26,075 |
$25,318 |
|||
$27,725 |
$26,976 |
|||
$30,795 |
$29,963 |
|||
$32,035 |
$31,170 |
|||
$33,485 |
$32,513 |
|||
$37,185 |
$36,054 |
New 2025 Volkswagen Jetta Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$23,720 |
$22,185 |
|||
$25,000 |
$23,417 |
|||
$26,500 |
$24,804 |
|||
$30,225 |
$28,538 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 MAZDA MAZDA3 vehicles and New 2025 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Mazda3 | 2025 Volkswagen Jetta | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 191 hp @ 5,600 rpm | 158 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 186 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 1,750 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic | 6-speed manual |
| Fuel Economy | 27 mpg city/37 mpg highway/31 mpg combined | 29 mpg city/40 mpg highway/33 mpg combined |
| Also Available | 6-speed manual; AWD; 2.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder | 8-speed auto; 7-speed auto; 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 107.3 inches | 105.7 inches |
| Overall Length | 183.5 inches | 186.5 inches |
| Width | 70.7 inches | 70.8 inches |
| Height | 56.9 inches | 57.7 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 34.8 feet | 36.7 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 38 inches | 38.5 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 37.3 inches | 37.3 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 42.3 inches | 41.1 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 35.1 inches | 37.4 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 55.7 inches | 55.9 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 53.5 inches | 53.5 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 13.2 cubic feet | 14.1 cubic feet |
Conclusion
The world is full of small sedans. Our advice: Know your budget and what’s most important for you.
If you don’t mind giving up some horsepower but want a nice-looking sedan with a slightly roomier back seat, a large trunk, and a welcome price tag, the Jetta should appeal to you. If you’re looking for more tech, extra power, and the option of all-wheel drive, the Mazda3 is the way to go, especially if you need the added versatility of a hatchback body.
