Compare the2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLIVS 2022 Audi S4

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Jetta GLI has a standard backup collision prevention system that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The S4 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Jetta GLI has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the S4’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Jetta GLI has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the S4.

Both the Jetta GLI and the S4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems and rearview cameras.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Jetta GLI the rating of “Top Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 212 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The S4 has not been tested, yet.

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Jetta GLI for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the S4.

There are over 2 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Jetta GLI’s warranty.

The Volkswagen Jetta GLI’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the S4’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen 30th in initial quality. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Jetta GLI higher (7 out of 10) than the Audi S4 (5). This means the Jetta GLI produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the S4 every 15,000 miles.

The Jetta GLI offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and fuel economy. The S4 doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The Jetta GLI offers an optional sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The S4 doesn’t offer an SMG.

For better maneuverability, the Jetta GLI’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the S4’s (36.7 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

The Volkswagen Jetta GLI may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 600 pounds less than the Audi S4.

The Jetta GLI has 2.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the S4 (94.7 vs. 92).

The Jetta GLI has 1.2 inches more front headroom and 1.7 inches more rear legroom than the S4.

The Jetta GLI has a much larger trunk than the S4 (14.1 vs. 12 cubic feet).

The Jetta GLI Auto has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The S4 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen Jetta GLI has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the S4 Premium Plus/Prestige offers wireless charging.

Insurance will cost less for the Jetta GLI owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Jetta GLI will cost $3530 to $6330 less than the S4 over a five-year period.

The Jetta GLI will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Jetta GLI will retain 49.8% to 51.08% of its original price after five years, while the S4 only retains 48.32% to 48.5%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Volkswagen Jetta GLI will be $26681 to $29236 less than for the Audi S4.

The Jetta GLI was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2 of the last 2 years. The S4 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The Volkswagen Jetta outsold the Audi A4/S4 by over four to one during the 2021 model year.