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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.

In comparing 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.

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Model & Pricing
Volkswagen Golf R
Volkswagen Jetta GLI

2024 Volkswagen Golf R
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Volkswagen Golf R for Sale

2024 Volkswagen Jetta GLI
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Volkswagen Jetta GLI for Sale

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

47191 - 53276

Starting MSRP:

45665

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)

26555

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)

17795 - 45665

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

29456 - 35411

Starting MSRP:

28085

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)

26555

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)

17795 - 45665

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

47673

Price Range:

44883 - 51042

Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)

28855

Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)

19171 - 47673

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

67

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

10933

# Good or Great Deals:

4

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

30280

Price Range:

27200 - 34269

Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)

28855

Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)

19171 - 47673

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

62

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

16419

# Good or Great Deals:

27

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

15558

Depreciation %:

0.34069149

Resale Value $:

30107

Residual Value %:

0.65930851

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)

0.3164027

Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)

0.24379468 - 0.4011125

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

10429

Depreciation %:

0.37134771

Resale Value $:

17656

Residual Value %:

0.62865229

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)

0.3164027

Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)

0.24379468 - 0.4011125

Volkswagen Golf R Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

Not available

Reliability:

Not available

Retained Value:

8.441106 / 10

Safety:

10.0 / 10

Volkswagen Jetta GLI Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

Not available

Reliability:

Not available

Retained Value:

8.250764 / 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:

0.005

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:

2.2662620924016226

Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2.9

Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2.0 - 18.8

Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

2.0488003035499265

Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2.9

Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2.0 - 18.8

Volkswagen Golf R Rankings

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

1 / 37

Small Cars with the Most Cargo Space

9 / 37

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

16 / 37

Best Gas Mileage Small Cars

19 / 37

Most Affordable Small Cars

22 / 22

Most Comfortable Small Cars

28 / 37

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

28 / 37

Best Small Cars for Tall People

37 / 37

Volkswagen Jetta GLI Rankings

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

7 / 37

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

10 / 37

Best Gas Mileage Small Cars

16 / 37

Most Affordable Small Cars

18 / 22

Safest Small Cars

23 / 37

Most Comfortable Small Cars

29 / 37

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

33 / 37

Best Small Cars for Tall People

36 / 37

Available 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

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