Compare the2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLIVS 2022 Kia K5

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Jetta GLI has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The K5 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

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. Only the K5 LXS/GT-Line/EX/GT offers a blind spot warning system.

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. Only the K5 LXS/GT-Line/EX/GT has a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the Jetta GLI and the K5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems and rearview cameras.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volkswagen Jetta GLI is safer than the Kia K5:

	Jetta GLI	K5
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	315	373
Neck Injury Risk	41.6%	50%

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Jetta GLI is safer than the Kia K5:

	Jetta GLI	K5
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	101	110
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	188 lbs.	190 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	56 G’s	75 G’s
Hip Force	554 lbs.	687 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	14 inches
HIC	239	297

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The Jetta GLI’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the K5’s (7/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

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. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the K5.

Reliability

The Volkswagen Jetta GLI’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the K5’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

Engine

The Jetta GLI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 48 more horsepower (228 vs. 180) and 63 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 195) than the K5 1.6T’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Volkswagen Jetta GLI is faster than the K5 1.6T 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder (automatics tested):

	Jetta GLI	K5
Zero to 60 MPH	5.6 sec	7 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	13.8 sec	18.8 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.1 sec	7.4 sec
Quarter Mile	14.2 sec	15.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	101 MPH	92 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Jetta GLI gets better mileage than the K5:

			MPG
Jetta GLI
FWD	Manual	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	26 city/37 hwy
	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	26 city/36 hwy
K5
	Auto	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/32 hwy
AWD	Auto	1.6 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/33 hwy

Both the Jetta GLI Auto and the K5 LX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All Jetta GLI Autos have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Jetta GLI higher (7 out of 10) than the Kia K5 (5). This means the Jetta GLI produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the K5 every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Jetta GLI’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the K5:

	Jetta GLI	K5
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	11.2 inches

The Jetta GLI’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the K5 are solid, not vented.

The Jetta GLI stops much shorter than the K5:

	Jetta GLI	K5
70 to 0 MPH	160 feet	179 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Jetta GLI has larger tires than the K5 (225/45R18 vs. 205/65R16).

The Jetta GLI’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the K5 LX/LXS’ standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Jetta GLI has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the K5 LX/LXS.

Suspension and Handling

The Jetta GLI has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The K5’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Jetta GLI’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (58.6% to 41.4%) than the K5’s (60% to 40%). This gives the Jetta GLI more stable handling and braking.

The Jetta GLI handles at .95 G’s, while the K5 EX pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Chassis

The Jetta GLI is 6.2 inches shorter than the K5, making the Jetta GLI easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Cargo Capacity

The Jetta GLI’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The K5 LX doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

Ergonomics

The Jetta GLI’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The K5’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Jetta GLI the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows with the driver’s door power window switch. The driver of the K5 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Jetta GLI’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The K5’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Jetta GLI has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The K5 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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 K5 GT-Line/EX/GT offers wireless charging.

Economic Advantages

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 K5 only retains 45.29% to 47.51%.

Recommendations

The Jetta GLI was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2 of the last 2 years. The K5 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The Volkswagen Jetta outsold the Kia K5/Optima by 68% during the 2021 model year.