Hyundai ELANTRA vs. Volkswagen Jetta GLI
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Hyundai ELANTRA and Volkswagen Jetta GLI contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Hyundai ELANTRA and the Volkswagen Jetta GLI.
When we compare the Hyundai ELANTRA's and the Volkswagen Jetta GLI's specifications and ratings, the Hyundai ELANTRA has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, resale value and interior volume. The Volkswagen Jetta GLI has the advantage in the area of base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Hyundai ELANTRA's and the Volkswagen Jetta GLI's specifications and ratings, the Hyundai ELANTRA is a better car than the Volkswagen Jetta GLI.
Pricing: A used 2025 Hyundai ELANTRA ranges from $19,455 to $26,949 while a used 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is priced between $28,468 to $33,981. For a new model, the Hyundai ELANTRA's price is between $22,559 and $28,651, with the Volkswagen Jetta GLI priced between $32,152 and $35,820.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Hyundai ELANTRA loses 40.6 percent of its value and the Volkswagen Jetta GLI loses 42.2 percent of its value. This means the Hyundai ELANTRA retains 1.7 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Volkswagen Jetta GLI.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Hyundai ELANTRA’s base engine makes 147 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Jetta GLI base engine makes 228 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are compact cars, the Hyundai ELANTRA has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Volkswagen Jetta GLI has higher safety ratings than the Hyundai ELANTRA, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.81 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
22559 - 28651
Starting MSRP:
22025
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
28470
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
21590 - 47100
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
32152 - 35820
Starting MSRP:
33215
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
28470
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
21590 - 47100
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
22661
Price Range:
19455 - 26949
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
30314
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
22070 - 52316
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
31159
Price Range:
28468 - 33981
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
30314
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
22070 - 52316
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
9115
Depreciation %:
0.41384261
Resale Value $:
12910
Residual Value %:
0.58615739
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)
0.3979908
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)
0.31796157 - 0.42854561
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
14234
Depreciation %:
0.42854561
Resale Value $:
18981
Residual Value %:
0.57145439
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)
0.3979908
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)
0.31796157 - 0.42854561
Hyundai ELANTRA Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.2 / 10
Reliability:
7.5 / 10
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
8.8 / 10
Volkswagen Jetta GLI Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.3 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Hyundai ELANTRA
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
10.1
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
12.4
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
8.8 - 16.2
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.09
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Jetta GLI
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
12.4
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
8.8 - 16.2
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.4832701543182303
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.8 - 28.7
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.0103535444826566
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.8 - 28.7
Hyundai ELANTRA Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 37Ranking
2 out of / 37Ranking
5 out of / 37Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 6Ranking
7 out of / 37Ranking
7 out of / 22Ranking
7 out of / 22Ranking
12 out of / 37Ranking
12 out of / 37Ranking
14 out of / 37Ranking
15 out of / 37Ranking
26 out of / 37Volkswagen Jetta GLI Rankings
Ranking
7 out of / 37Ranking
10 out of / 37Ranking
16 out of / 37Ranking
18 out of / 22Ranking
23 out of / 37Ranking
29 out of / 37Ranking
33 out of / 37Ranking
36 out of / 37Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Hyundai ELANTRA Trim Levels
Limited, N Line, SE, SEL Convenience, SEL Sport
Volkswagen Jetta GLI Trim Levels
Autobahn
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4.81 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
147 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque:
132 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.054 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
228 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
258 foot-lbs @ 1500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.070 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
26 / 36 / 30
Range (city/hwy):
343 / 475 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.6 inches
Cargo Space:
14.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
113.6 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54 inches
Cargo Space:
14.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
93.9 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2725 lbs
Width:
71.9 inches
Height:
55.7 inches
Length:
185.4 inches
Wheelbase:
107.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3241 lbs
Width:
80.2 inches
Height:
57.3 inches
Length:
186.9 inches
Wheelbase:
105.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.2 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
195/65R15
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy with painted accents
Tire Size:
P225/45R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Abyss Black Pearl
Blue
Intense Blue Pearl
Gray
Amazon Gray Pearl / Ecotronic Gray Pearl / Fluid Metal Metallic
Red
Ultimate Red Pearl
White
Serenity White Pearl
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl
Blue
Monterey Blue Pearl / Monterey Blue w/ Deep Black Roof
Gray
Monument Gray / Monument Gray w/ Deep Black Roof
Red
Kings Red Metallic / Kings Red Metallic w/ Deep Black Roof
White
Pure White / Pure White w/ Deep Black Roof
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Gray
Interior Colors
Black
Not available
Gray
Grigio Gray/Titan Black
