Compare the2023 Volkswagen JettaVS 2023 Lexus ES

Both the Jetta and the ES have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available lane departure warning systems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volkswagen Jetta is safer than the Lexus ES:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Jetta is safer than the Lexus ES:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Jetta’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the ES’ (7 vs. 6 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Jetta for 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the ES (2/20,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are almost 3 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Jetta’s warranty.

On the EPA test cycle the Jetta gets better mileage than the ES:

Both the Jetta Automatic and the ES Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Jetta Automatics have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Jetta higher (7 out of 10) than the Lexus ES (5 to 7). This means the Jetta produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the ES every 15,000 miles.

The Jetta offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and fuel economy. The ES doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The Jetta stops much shorter than the ES:

The Jetta S handles at .83 G’s, while the ES 300h pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Jetta S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the ES 300h (27.3 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Jetta’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the ES’ (36.7 feet vs. 38 feet).

The Volkswagen Jetta may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 800 pounds less than the Lexus ES.

The Jetta is 9.4 inches shorter than the ES, making the Jetta easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Jetta uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The ES doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Jetta’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The ES doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Jetta SEL to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The ES doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Both the Jetta and the ES offer available heated front seats. The Jetta SEL also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the ES.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Jetta is less expensive to operate than the ES because typical repairs cost much less on the Jetta than the ES, including $22 less for front brake pads, $48 less for front struts, $928 less for a timing belt/chain and $693 less for a power steering pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Volkswagen Jetta and the Lexus ES, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Volkswagen Jetta outsold the Lexus ES by 36% during 2021.