2020 Volkswagen Jetta vs. 2020 Lincoln MKZ

The Jetta has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The MKZ doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

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

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 Lincoln MKZ:

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

The Jetta’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the MKZ’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Jetta for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Lincoln only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the MKZ.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2019 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen 12th in reliability, above the industry average. With 16 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is ranked 19th.

As tested in Car and Driver the Volkswagen Jetta is faster than the MKZ Hybrid (automatics tested):

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Jetta uses regular unleaded gasoline. The MKZ with the 3.0 turbo V6 engine requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

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

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

An eight-speed automatic is optional on the Volkswagen Jetta, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the MKZ.

The Jetta stops shorter than the MKZ:

For better maneuverability, the Jetta’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the MKZ’s (36.4 feet vs. 39 feet).

The Volkswagen Jetta may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 850 to 1350 pounds less than the Lincoln MKZ.

The Jetta is 8.8 inches shorter than the MKZ, making the Jetta easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Jetta has .6 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more rear headroom and .4 inches more rear legroom than the MKZ.

The Jetta has a much larger trunk than the MKZ Hybrid (14.1 vs. 11.1 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Jetta easier. The Jetta’s trunk lift-over height is 28.7 inches, while the MKZ’s liftover is 30.5 inches.

The Jetta’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The MKZ’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Jetta (except S) to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The MKZ doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen Jetta SEL/SEL Premium has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The MKZ doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Insurance will cost less for the Jetta owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Jetta will cost $1210 less than the MKZ over a five-year period.

The Jetta will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Jetta will retain 42.99% to 45.75% of its original price after five years, while the MKZ only retains 35.08% to 36.76%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Jetta is less expensive to operate than the MKZ because typical repairs cost much less on the Jetta than the MKZ, including $349 less for a muffler, $26 less for front brake pads, $590 less for a timing belt/chain and $689 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Volkswagen Jetta will be $17202 to $23845 less than for the Lincoln MKZ.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Jetta second among compact cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The MKZ isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Volkswagen Jetta outsold the Lincoln MKZ by almost six to one during 2019.