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Miami Herald
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
2025 VW Jetta vs Hyundai Elantra: Which Budget-Friendly Sedan Is Better?
It's no secret that vehicles are getting more and more expensive with each passing year, but there's still a selection of compact cars that are affordably priced for budget-conscious consumers. While two Japanese models tend to dominate the compact car discussion, the Volkswagen Jetta and Hyundai Elantra are both solid alternatives. With a starting price under $22,500, both compact sedans are fantastic choices, but only one model can give you the most bang for your buck. Available from $22,125, the 2025 Hyundai Elantra is the more affordable of the two compact cars, but not by much. The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta is a tad more expensive, starting at $22,495, a $370 difference. Both sedans include well-equipped base models, with cloth seats, LED headlights, and an eight-inch touchscreen display. In terms of styling, both sedans feature a modern aesthetic. The Volkswagen Jetta receives a refresh for the 2025 model year, with a new grille and headlamp designs, among other changes. The Hyundai Elantra was updated for the 2024 model year, with updated exterior lighting and new wheels. As a result, the Elantra rolls into the 2025 model year relatively unchanged. If you prefer a more upscale experience on a budget, the base Jetta is the pick. It rides on 16-inch wheels and comes equipped with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and heated side mirrors, all features the base Elantra lacks. If infotainment is the name of the game, the entry-level Elantra includes standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. When it comes to performance and efficiency, the Volkswagen Jetta takes home the crown, at least at the base level. Under the hood lies a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. With that setup, the Jetta arrives with 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. At its peak, the Jetta earns up to an EPA-estimated 29 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. The Hyundai Elantra comes equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with the automaker's IVT, producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. While fuel economy varies according to wheel size and standard equipment, the Elantra tops out with an EPA-estimated 32 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway. While the Jetta may be a bit quicker, the Elantra offers slightly better efficiency, but that changes with the Elantra's range-topping trim level. The Hyundai Elantra N Line, not to be confused with the dedicated Elantra N performance model, gives the compact sedan a little more oomph. It comes equipped with a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, sending 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Even with that bump in performance, the N Line trim is rated for 28 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. The Volkswagen Jetta and Hyundai Elantra are available in four and five trim levels, respectively. At the top of the range lie the Jetta SEL and Elantra N Line. The top-spec Jetta SEL comes equipped with the same powertrain that's found in lower trim levels. As already discussed, the Elantra N Line boasts a more powerful 201-horsepower turbocharged engine. Starting at $28,975, the Hyundai Elantra N Line rides on athletic 18-inch wheels wrapped in performance all-season tires. The performance-spec model features a unique front bumper and rear fascia with a diffuser, as well as twin chrome exhaust. Inside, the compact sedan features wireless device charging and two 10.25-inch displays. N Line leather-and-cloth sport seats and a unique N Line leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob round out the sporty aesthetic. As a top-spec trim, the Elantra N Line includes plenty of comfort amenities, including heated front seats. Notably, while the base trim level includes standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, the N Line model steps back to the wired version. The Volkswagen Jetta SEL starts at $29,000 and rolls out on 18-inch machined alloy wheels. The top-spec Jetta arrives with several premium amenities, including heated washer nozzles and an integrated light bar located in the front grille. Inside, ambient interior lighting and front sport seats create a more engaging aesthetic. As far as comfort goes, the Jetta SEL includes an extensive list of standard equipment, including leather upholstery, heated front and rear seats, ventilated front seats, and a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel. The range-topping trim level comes with plenty of tech, including wireless charging, an eight-inch touchscreen display, and a 10.25-inch digital instrument display. While budget-friendly compact sedans aren't exactly a dime a dozen, the Volkswagen Jetta and Hyundai Elantra prove to be formidable rivals to one another and segment leaders. Both models are comparably priced, but getting the most bang for your buck ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you want a streamlined infotainment experience at the base level, the Elantra is the better choice. On the other hand, the Jetta includes a handful of upscale features geared towards comfort and convenience. At the top of the range, the compact sedans are even closer in price, with a mere $25 difference separating the two. While still affordably priced, the Elantra N Line surpasses the Jetta SEL in performance, but the German sedan adds a long list of comfort and convenience amenities to its standard equipment. If you want a more athletic aesthetic, however, the Elantra N Line taps into its trim-exclusive features to create a more engaging atmosphere. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Auto Blog
06-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Here's What The Cheapest Volkswagen Gets You In 2025
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. VW packs a lot of value into its most affordable car The cheapest Volkswagen you can buy depends on where you live. Across the pond, Volkswagen sells a number of affordable subcompacts and compacts that aren't available in the United States. These include the ID.3, the Polo, and the normal Golf (America only gets the Golf GTI and R). This means there are limited options for fans of VW with a tight budget. However, all is not lost, and VW has one model in the USA that still sells for less than $23,000. What is it, and is your money better spent on Toyota and Honda rivals? Let's find out. 0:08 / 0:09 VW will introduce a sub-$20,000 EV, but probably not here Watch More The Cheapest New Volkswagen Is The Jetta S Source: VW Starting at just $22,495, the entry-level Jetta S (note that the 2025 Jetta pictured here isn't the base model) is the most cheapest VW on sale right now. That price excludes any options and the destination charge of $1,225. Not many cars are available this cheaply anymore, and even cheap used cars are vanishing. In this segment, the Volkswagen goes up against the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. Both of those rivals are also the cheapest models for those manufacturers; the Toyota starts at $22,325, almost exactly as much as the Jetta, while the Honda begins at $24,595 (2026 model). As all are similarly priced sedans from well-established brands, comparing them is inevitable, and we'll do just that when running through the specifications of the Jetta S, Volkswagen's cheapest car. Design: A Sense Of Solidity VW implemented some neat updates to the Jetta's design for the 2025 model year. New LED headlights, a revised front fascia, and a tweaked rear-end with a light bar are some of them, and they do a good job of keeping the car fresh. Even so, there's nothing jaw-dropping about the design, but the same can be said of all its rivals. The Jetta looks more substantial than most competitors, and that's not just an optical illusion. It's about as wide as a Civic, but the Jetta is nearly two inches longer and exactly two inches taller. The following exterior features are standard on the Jetta S: 16-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires LED headlights, DRLs, and taillights Rain-sensing wipers Power-folding mirrors The color palette is basic and includes white, a few greys/silvers, Deep Black, and Monterey Blue. We would have liked to have seen some more wheels on the options menu, but you have to stick with the standard ones. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Volkswagen revised the dashboard for the 2025 Jetta, and it mostly comes across as a successful update. Three horizontal lines now stretch across the dashboard, and there's a standard eight-inch touchscreen display (replacing the older 6.5-inch unit) and eight-inch gauge cluster, so it looks more modern than the analog gauges in the base Corolla. Cloth upholstery is the default on this cheapest Jetta S, with either Titan Black or Storm Gray color schemes. Passenger space is comfortable, and the trunk measures a useful 14.1 cubic feet. Standard 60/40 split-folding rear seats allow you to accommodate longer items. The following features are standard in the Jetta S: Auto-dimming rearview mirror Climatronic Touch dual-zone automatic climate control Leather-wrapped steering wheel Adaptive cruise control Forward collision warning A basic four-speaker sound system is standard, and, while the touch controls for the climate control system look high-tech, they're not as easy to use as the simpler physical switches of older Jetta variants. We gradually got used to them when driving the 2025 Jetta, though. Better sound systems, a larger driver's display, and heated seats are available on upper Jetta trims. You can't add these items on the S, so keep this in mind. Performance: The Manual Is Gone For Cheaper Jettas Source: VW Unless you spend much more on the Jetta GLI, you can't have Volkswagen's sedan with a manual. All models now rely on the eight-speed automatic, paired to a 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbo engine with 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. While a base Corolla is more powerful, it's not turbocharged, so the Jetta's meatier torque delivery gives it superior drivability. It takes over seven seconds to hit 60, but that's perfectly acceptable for a car in this class – and at this price point. Only front-wheel drive is available. Fuel efficiency works out to 29/39/33 mpg city/highway/combined for the base Jetta S, so it's not as efficient as the cheapest Corolla (35 mpg combined) or Civic (36 mpg combined), but still quite reasonable. The smaller wheels and tires of the Jetta S help to cushion harsh road surfaces more effectively than models with larger wheels, and the VW handles well. It's not as enjoyable to drive as the Mazda 3 or Honda Civic, though. Other Affordable Volkswagens Other than the Jetta S, you can spend more on other Jetta models like the Sport ($23,775), SE ($25,275), and SEL ($29,000). The SE looks like the sweet spot in the range with features like a power driver's seat, keyless access, CloudTex upholstery, and wireless charging. However, there's another affordable Volkswagen that's worth a look. Volkswagen Taos S ($24,995) Source: VW VW's cheapest crossover, the Taos S retails for almost the same price as the Jetta SE. Being a crossover, it's a more practical vehicle, boasting 27.9 cubic feet of trunk space behind the second row. Its 1.5L engine also has more punch than the Jetta's, with the same torque but more power – 174 hp, to be precise. However, this model isn't as well-equipped as the Jetta SE, lacking the nice upholstery, fancier climate control system and heated seats. Final Thoughts At almost exactly the same price as the cheapest Corolla, the VW Jetta S also provides a solid choice for first-time buyers or anyone looking for a new car that won't break the bank. The Jetta is comfortable, just about quick enough, practical, and is equipped with all the essentials. The Corolla is more efficient, but we'd say the two are on par in terms of specification. Honda charges more for the Civic, with its main benefits being spaciousness and enjoyable handling. For VW fans shopping in this segment, the Jetta S is a no-brainer, but these three cars are too closely matched for one to emerge as the clear class leader. About the Author Karl Furlong View Profile
USA Today
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- USA Today
Hertz's new AI scanners charge renters instantly, even for tiny scratches
The Hertz rental car company, along with its Dollar and Thrifty affiliates, are rolling out AI-powered vehicle inspection scanners that scan your rental car as it exits or enters the rental lot for damage. The motivation here, clearly, is to improve rental fleet maintenance and introduce some objective data to a damage-reporting process that, traditionally, has been pretty subjective. But barely two months into the scanners' initial deployment at real-world Hertz facilities, there's already a problem. The skinny of it is a Hertz customer, Patrick, rented a Volkswagen from Hertz out of the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, which is actually the first location to implement the scanners, reported The Drive. Patrick later returned the car, albeit with a one-inch scuff on the driver's side rear wheel. Apparently, "minutes" after putting the vehicle through the scanner, he said received a damage charge for the curb rash: $250 to repair it, $125 for "processing," and an additional $65 for an "administrative fee." In total, the charge was for $440. Ouch, that's a lot of scratch — and fast It's not clear what typical Hertz repair costs are, or how quickly human-scanned damage turns into a repair estimate and charge for a customer, but the company defines the processing and administrative fees as "the cost to detect and estimate the damage that occurred during your rental" and "cover[ing] a portion of the costs [Hertz incurs] as a result of processing your claim," respectively, according to The Drive. We also figure that a human eyeing a rental for damage, inputting any such damage into a company system, and that system generating a repair charge estimate would surely take longer than a process seemingly automated end-to-end and initiated immediately upon the rental car's return. To put things into perspective, a professional curb-rash repair job typically costs between $100 to $250 per wheel. Heck, an entirely new wheel (the rented VW appears to be a late-model Jetta, based on the pictured wheel at The Drive) might even be price-competitive with the repair estimate given to Patrick, given its list price is a little over $500. Patrick claimed if he agreed to the terms and paid within two days, Hertz would give him a $52 discount. Or he could get a $32.50 discount if he paid within a week. Patrick told the outlet he wanted to speak to someone and ask about the charge. Though the Hertz website is able to connect customers with live chat agents, it doesn't seem as though the same can be said of the apps just yet; they're only able to flag a claim for later review. Patrick followed company prompts and sent an email, though a response can take up to 10 days to appear. The discount is only good for seven days, remember. As of Monday, June 23, Patrick has not paid the charge, telling The Drive: "Saving $30 to accept responsibility is not worth it." What can be done? Following this, MotorTrend has reached out to company reps to ask what Hertz is doing to make live agents more accessible to customers in the face of more automation in the rental process. We also asked if rental prices and rental repair costs were higher for customers who rent from locations that employ the scanners, as compared to those who rent from locations without them. On the record, a Hertz spokesperson responded, "The vast majority of rentals are incident-free. When damage does occur, our goal is to enhance the rental experience by bringing greater transparency, precision and speed to the process. Digital vehicle inspections help deliver on that with clear, detailed documentation that is delivered more quickly, as well as a more technology-enabled resolution process.' On the other hand, say you pick up your rental car at the start of your trip and you forget to take photos or overlook an existing bit of damage. The scanners could ensure you aren't falsely charged for dings that were already there. You're free to depart the rental lot without having to worry; ditto when returning the car — you can walk off without stress that you missed something when initially picking up the car, and (if true) confident you didn't add any patina to the car during your rental. Hertz announced its use of the AI scanners back in April. It's partnered with Israeli ex-defense and current AI vehicle inspection system company, UVeye. The scanners can measure treadwear and provide a 360-view of a car's undercarriage, body and glass. Rather than have a human come out and do a visual inspection, the scanner can do it consistently and more frequently. UVeye claims its system increases damage detection accuracy by five times. Hertz plans to implement 100 UVeye scanners at its approximately 1,600 United States airport locations by the end of 2025. It touts "transparency" as one of the main advantages its customers can expect from the tech, though it remains to be seen how transparent things remain when customers invariably require a live human to speak with to dispute the findings. To note, this is the same company that has left a rental desk unmanned for six hours, attempted to charge a customer $10,000 despite an unlimited mileage policy, attempted to charge a Tesla customer for gas, and settled for $168 million after falsely accusing hundreds of customers of stealing its cars — some of which led to innocent people getting arrested, charged with felonies, and jailed. Hertz filed for bankruptcy in 2020 but left bankruptcy after just a year when travel rebounded in full force. It was able to offload more than $5 billion in debt and invest in buying cars for its fleets and modernizing technology. Photos by manufacturer
CTV News
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
Multi-vehicle crash shuts down busy intersection in Bradford
South Simcoe Police Services arrived on the scene of a three-vehicle crash at the 11th Line and Simcoe County Road 27 in Bradford, Ont., on Mon., June 30, 2025. (SSPS) Police in Bradford are investigating a multi-vehicle collision that happened at a busy intersection. On Monday morning, South Simcoe Police Services arrived on the scene of a three-vehicle crash at the 11th Line and Simcoe County Road 27. SSPS South Simcoe Police Services arrived on the scene of a three-vehicle crash at the 11th Line and Simcoe County Road 27 in Bradford, Ont., on Mon., June 30, 2025. (SSPS) Officials say the initial investigation revealed that an eastbound Jetta allegedly failed to yield to a northbound commercial motor vehicle. A crash ensued between the truck and Jetta resulting in a third SUV being hit by the Jetta. Officers on scene ruled out alcohol and speed as a leading factor in their investigation. Minor injuries were reported in the midst of this crash. Police say the 11th Line will be closed while crews work to clean up the roadway.
Motor Trend
19-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
2026 Volkswagen Cars Lineup: Hope You're OK With Crumbs
Volkswagen is still figuring out its strategy for the United States. After a hard push for electrification in the wake of the Dieselgate scandal VW has walked back its efforts to bring more EVs to our shores with the cancelation of the ID7 for the US market. Volkswagen's 2026 lineup sees minor updates after a 2025 model year overhaul. The Jetta gets standard rear seatbelt pre-tensioners and a new audio system. The GTI and Golf R remain mostly unchanged. The ID Buzz continues with existing trims and a standard two-in-one charging cable. This summary was generated by AI using content from this MotorTrend article Read Next Still, the automaker's lineup supports a range of body styles and powertrain options. All of VW's non-SUV nameplates were either newly introduced or refreshed for 2025, so its existing models carry over to 2026 with only minor tweaks. Read on for all updates and changes to the 2026 Volkswagen cars lineup. 2026 Volkswagen Jetta A refreshed Volkswagen Jetta just arrived for 2025 with new exterior design, a reworked interior, and fresh tech. The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta carries over with only a few updates. Rear seatbelt pre-tensioners are now standard, and Volkswagen also includes an updated seatbelt reminder, seemingly in a bid to better the Poor score it has received from IIHS. Finally, VW equips a new eight-speaker audio system for the SEL and Jetta GLI Autobahn trims. MotorTrend Ranked: No. 7 in compact sedans (2025 model). Read Our Experts' Full Volkswagen Jetta Review 2026 Volkswagen GTI Like the Jetta, the 2026 Volkswagen GTI is still fresh from a major update that arrived for the 2025 model year. Volkswagen introduced revised exterior accents including new headlights and taillights as well as new wheel designs. Inside the cabin, the GTI got a new voice assistant powered by Chat GPT. Volkswagen did away with the capacitive touch controls on the GTI's steering wheel in favor of new physical buttons. All trims carry over for 2026. Read Our Experts' Full Volkswagen GTI Review 2026 Volkswagen Golf R The 2026 Volkswagen Golf R is only available with the Euro Style package, which was introduced as part of the 2025 refresh. Other updates from the prior model year include Graphite Gray Metallic, now offered as a new exterior color. Read Our Experts' Full Volkswagen Golf R Review 2026 Volkswagen ID Buzz With a design reminiscent of the first-generation T1 Transporter 'Microbus,' the Volkswagen ID Buzz just joined the automaker's lineup for the 2025 model year. Volkswagen drops the First Edition trim as the all-electric ID Buzz moves into its second model year. For 2026, the electric van carries over in Pro S and Pro S Plus trims with a ZEV3 two-in-one charging cable now standard. Volkswagen says in an official release that details on the 2026 ID Buzz will be announced later, so it's possible that a special edition model could join the lineup. Read Our Experts' Full Volkswagen ID Buzz Review 2026 Volkswagen Cars Lineup 2026 Volkswagen Jetta: Minor Update 2026 Volkswagen GTI: Unchanged 2026 Volkswagen Golf R: Minor Update 2026 Volkswagen ID Buzz: Minor Update
