Volkswagen Golf R vs. Volkswagen Jetta GLI
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Volkswagen Golf R 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 Volkswagen Golf R and the Volkswagen Jetta GLI.
When we compare the Volkswagen Golf R's and the Volkswagen Jetta GLI's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Golf R has the advantage in the areas of resale value, interior volume and base engine power. The Volkswagen Jetta GLI has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing and typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. Based on this comparison of the Volkswagen Golf R's and the Volkswagen Jetta GLI's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Golf R is a better car than the Volkswagen Jetta GLI.
Pricing: A used 2024 Volkswagen Golf R ranges from $44,883 to $51,042 while a used 2024 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is priced between $27,200 to $34,269. For a new model, the Volkswagen Golf R's price is between $47,191 and $53,276, with the Volkswagen Jetta GLI priced between $29,456 and $35,411.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Volkswagen Golf R loses 33.2 percent of its value and the Volkswagen Jetta GLI loses 36.2 percent of its value. This means the Volkswagen Golf R retains 3 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 Volkswagen Golf R’s base engine makes 315 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Jetta GLI base engine makes 228 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are compact cars, the Volkswagen Golf R has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front leg room, rear head room, and cargo space. The Volkswagen Jetta GLI has the advantage in the areas of front head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Volkswagen Golf R and Volkswagen Jetta GLI are comparable in regards to front shoulder room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Volkswagen Golf R and the Volkswagen Jetta GLI have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$47,191 - $53,276
Starting MSRP:
$45,665
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$26,555
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$17,795 - $45,665
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$29,456 - $35,411
Starting MSRP:
$28,085
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$26,555
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$17,795 - $45,665
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$47,673
Price Range:
$44,883 - $51,042
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$28,855
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$19,171 - $47,673
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
51
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
5,179
# Good or Great Deals:
4
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$30,280
Price Range:
$27,200 - $34,269
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$28,855
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$19,171 - $47,673
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
108
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
9,941
# Good or Great Deals:
24
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$15,558
Depreciation %:
34.1%
Resale Value $:
$30,107
Residual Value %:
65.9%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)
31.6%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)
24.4% - 40.1%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$10,429
Depreciation %:
37.1%
Resale Value $:
$17,656
Residual Value %:
62.9%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)
31.6%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)
24.4% - 40.1%
Volkswagen Golf R Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Volkswagen Jetta GLI Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.3 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Golf R
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
11.7
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
11.2
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
10.1 - 13.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.5%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Jetta GLI
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
11.2
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
10.1 - 13.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.3
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2 - 18.8
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2 - 18.8
Volkswagen Golf R Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 43Ranking
13 out of / 43Ranking
17 out of / 43Ranking
18 out of / 43Ranking
21 out of / 43Ranking
24 out of / 24Ranking
26 out of / 43Ranking
35 out of / 43Ranking
42 out of / 43Volkswagen Jetta GLI Rankings
Ranking
7 out of / 43Ranking
9 out of / 43Ranking
16 out of / 24Ranking
18 out of / 43Ranking
19 out of / 43Ranking
31 out of / 43Ranking
36 out of / 43Ranking
38 out of / 43Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Volkswagen Golf R Trim Levels
4Motion
Volkswagen Jetta GLI Trim Levels
40th Anniversary Edition, Autobahn
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
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):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
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:
315 hp @ 5900 rpm
Torque:
280 foot-lbs @ 1900 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.093 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:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 28 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
290 / 406 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
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):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.9 inches
Cargo Space:
19.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
111.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.5 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:
94.7 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3404 lbs
Width:
70.4 inches
Height:
57.7 inches
Length:
168.9 inches
Wheelbase:
103.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.4 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3274 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:
19.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
polished aluminum alloy with painted accents
Tire Size:
P235/35R19
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/45R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl / Mythos Black Metallic
Blue
Lapiz Blue Metallic
White
Pure White
Gray
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Not available
Blue
Rising Blue Metallic
White
Pure White
Gray
Pure Gray
Interior Colors
Black
Titan Black w/ Blue Accents
Interior Colors
Black
Titan Black
