Hyundai Elantra diesel vs Volkswagen Jetta comparison

Both Hyundai and VW updated their respective diesel executive sedans – the Elantra and the Jetta – earlier this year and we've brought them together for a comparison. Both sedans received minor cosmetic changes on the outside and in, along with some additional equipment. So, which one is worth your money? Here are our impressions from behind the wheel.

 

Performance & refinement

 

The diesel Elantra is powered by a smooth and punchy 126bhp 1.6-litre engine. In traffic, there’s a bit of a delay before power comes in, but after that, the engine has decent punch. You do expect more power on a car of this size, but there’s enough punch for stress-free overtaking and cruising. The engine is also very smooth and less clattery than the Jetta’s. The clutch, though, is on the heavier side and in traffic, the Elantra sometimes feels jerky as power comes on and off.

 

Here, the Jetta has a decisive edge. The bigger 2.0-litre engine makes it a much quicker machine than the Elantra. 0-100kph, for example, is dispatched in 10.90sec, a good second ahead of the Elantra’s time. And it’s not just flat-out performance, the bigger engine also means that you don’t have to fiddle with the gearbox too much. On the downside, the engine note is gravelly when compared to the Elantra and it doesn’t let you forget that it is a diesel.

 

Ride & handling

 

The Elantra is good at ironing out bumps at low speeds. Even high-speed stability is acceptable, though the softly sprung Hyundai does tend to bounce and roll a fair bit when driven fast. The cabin is well insulated and this really helps make this Hyundai a soothing cruiser. As far as handling is concerned, the Elantra feels predictable and safe when pushed hard, and is probably one of Hyundai’s most secure and best-handling cars.

 

If the Elantra’s ride is good at low speeds, the Jetta’s is even better; the stiff body and supple suspension simply absorb bumps with ease. On the highway, the ride stays flat and you feel minimum movement in the cabin over most surfaces. Even around corners, the Jetta feels tidy, body roll is well contained and the VW feels impressively light on its feet. The steering is very direct, it’s light and the Jetta is quite enjoyable on a twisty road too.