2017 head-to-head · Compact Car

2017 Chevrolet Sonic vs Volkswagen Jetta

MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.

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✓ Cheaper to run
$1,453/ year to fuel
32 MPG
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,409/ year to fuel
33 MPG

On fuel costs these two are nearly tied. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, the most efficient 2017 Chevrolet Sonic (32 MPG) costs about $1,453 a year to fuel and the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta (33 MPG) about $1,409.

Your numbers

Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.

Fuel cost over 10 years

  • Chevrolet Sonic
  • Volkswagen Jetta

Side by side

Chevrolet SonicVolkswagen Jetta
$1,453 Your annual fuel cost $1,409
32 MPG Combined efficiency 33 MPG
28 MPG City 28 MPG
38 MPG Highway 40 MPG
91 cu ft Passenger volume 94 cu ft
12 cu ft Cargo volume 16 cu ft
281 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 271 g/mi
7/10 EPA fuel economy score 8/10
7/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 8/10
Gas Powertrain Gas
Regular gasoline Fuel Regular gasoline
1.4L 4-cyl turbo Engine / motor 1.4L 4-cyl turbo
6-speed manual Transmission 5-speed manual
FWD Drivetrain FWD

✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.

Chevrolet Sonic vs Volkswagen Jetta across model years

  • Chevrolet Sonic
  • Volkswagen Jetta

Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.

How they differ

Per EPA interior volume figures, the Volkswagen Jetta has more passenger space (94 vs. 91 cu ft); the Volkswagen Jetta has more cargo space (16 vs. 12 cu ft).

Among 50 2017 compact cars, the Chevrolet Sonic ranks 15th and the Volkswagen Jetta 13th for lowest fuel cost.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic or the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta?

Measured by cost to drive, the Volkswagen Jetta. The Chevrolet Sonic is rated 32 MPG combined and the Volkswagen Jetta 33 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic vs. the Volkswagen Jetta per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,453 for the Chevrolet Sonic and $1,409 for the Volkswagen Jetta.

Which has more cargo space?

The Volkswagen Jetta, with 16 cu ft of luggage volume versus 12 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).

Chevrolet Sonic vs Volkswagen Jetta in other years

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