Verdict
The Jetta has a 12% bigger boot, while the Jetta is 8% more powerful. Weigh that against the equipment each side gives you in the table below.
What the Jetta has over the ES
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The ES's wheelbase is 99 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. The ES is 102 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the Jetta: 510 litres against 450.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM106,800✓ | RM109,578 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM70 | RM70 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,090/mo✓ | RM1,120/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM3,025✓ | RM3,097 |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | RM1,110✓ | RM2,587 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM5.55✓ | RM12.94 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM21,022✓ | RM28,769 |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | 8.4 hours | — |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | 65 min | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable intake valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,395 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 148 hp at 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | — | 250 Nm at 1,500 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 74.5 mm × 80 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 136 hp✓ | — |
| Motor Torque | 225 Nm✓ | — |
| Battery Capacity | 55.2 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 442 km✓ | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 60 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Dry) |
| Transmission Name | — | 7-Speed DSG |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | BorgWarner |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 8.6 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 5 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 220 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 115 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,810 mm | 4,644 mm |
| Width | 1,880 mm | 1,778 mm |
| Height | 1,545 mm | 1,482 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,651 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,289 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 55 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 450 litres | 510 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/55 R17 | 205/55R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55 R17 | 205/55R16 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Full Size |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | — | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | — | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 17 | 16" Sedona Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17 | 16" Sedona Alloy |
| Steering | — | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | — | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | — | ✓ |
| Stability Control | — | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | — | 5 three-point |
| ISOFIX | — | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | — | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | — | Normal Bulb |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | — | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | — | 60:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | — | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 1 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | — | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | — | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | — | RCD 220 radio with CD/MP3/WMA playback, AUX-in, USB and 6 speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | — | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | — | Manual key |
| Locks | — | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | — | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 4 Sensors |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | — | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used ES & Jetta for sale
Our reviews & guides
ES vs Jetta FAQ
How long does charging take?
The ES's 55.2 kWh battery takes about 8.4 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 65 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 60 kW peak.
Which one is locally assembled?
The Jetta is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the ES is fully imported (CBU) from China. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.
Which has the better warranty?
The ES carries a 8-year manufacturer warranty against 5 years for the Jetta.