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Toyota Camry vs Volkswagen Jetta

2026 Toyota Camry vs 2026 Volkswagen Jetta — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Toyota Camry

2026 Toyota Camry

Midsize CarsAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS2 – 4Volkswagen Jetta wins 4 of 6 categories
Volkswagen Jetta

2026 Volkswagen Jetta

Compact Cars

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The short version

The Toyota Camry is more fuel-efficient: 51 vs 34 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $650 a year less in fuel for the Toyota Camry (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Toyota Camry is the bigger car, about 8 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Volkswagen Jetta has had fewer recall campaigns (42 vs 44).

The two cars

The 2026 Toyota Camry is a midsize car offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 194 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,627 lb (4dr Sedan AWD).

The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta is a compact car offered with a 1.5L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive. It measures about 186 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,976 lb (4dr Sedan).

Buying used? The 2024 Camry and the 2023 Jetta have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2018 Camry and the 2019 Jetta.

Basics

Midsize Cars
Class
Compact Cars
Hybrid
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5L 4-cyl
Engines
1.5L 4-cyl turbo
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

51 MPG
Best combined MPG
34 MPG
52 city
City / highway MPG (best)
29 city
$1,300
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$1,950

Performance & space

184 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
228 hp
5
Seats (most)
5
193.7 in
Length
185.8 in
72.4 in
Width
71.3 in
57.1 in
Height
57.5 in
3,494 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
2,976 lb

Safety & reliability

11
Driver-assist features standard
11
3
Recalls (2026)
1
44
Recalls, all years since 2005
42
145
Owner complaints (latest year)
6

Interest

34,633
Wikipedia views, 30 days
14,797

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2023
2018
Year to avoid
2019

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Toyota Camry if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (51 vs 34 MPG)
  • You want more room (8 in longer)
  • You need AWD or 4WD
  • You want a hybrid or electric option

Choose the Volkswagen Jetta if…

  • You want more power (up to 228 vs 184 hp)
  • You want something easier to park (8 in shorter)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Toyota Camry

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 51 MPG combined — 63% better than the average 2026 midsize car (31.2 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

2026 Volkswagen Jetta

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 34 MPG combined — 16% better than the average 2026 compact car (29.2 MPG).
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Toyota Camry specs →Full 2026 Volkswagen Jetta specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →