Compare the2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLIVS 2021 Mercedes C-Class Sedan

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
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 C-Class Sedan 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.

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 C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Jetta GLI’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the C-Class Sedan.

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 C-Class Sedan.

Both the Jetta GLI and the C-Class Sedan 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, daytime running lights, blind spot 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 Mercedes C-Class Sedan:

	Jetta GLI	C-Class Sedan
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	41.6%	60%
Neck Compression	141 lbs.	219 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	308/63 lbs.	311/161 lbs.

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 Mercedes C-Class Sedan:

	Jetta GLI	C-Class Sedan
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	101	165
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1.1 inches
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	554 lbs.	838 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	239	395
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	51 G’s
Hip Force	627 lbs.	666 lbs.

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 C-Class Sedan’s (7 vs. 5 years).

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. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the C-Class Sedan.

There are over 66 percent more Volkswagen dealers than there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Jetta GLI’s warranty.

Reliability

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

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Jetta GLI gets better mileage than the C-Class Sedan:

			MPG
Jetta GLI
FWD	Manual	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	26 city/37 hwy
	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	26 city/36 hwy
C-Class Sedan
	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/35 hwy
AWD	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/33 hwy

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Jetta GLI uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The C-Class Sedan requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

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 Mercedes C-Class Sedan (6). This means the Jetta GLI produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the C-Class Sedan every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The Jetta GLI offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and fuel economy. The C-Class Sedan 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 C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer an SMG.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Jetta GLI’s brake rotors are larger than those on the C-Class Sedan:

	Jetta GLI	C-Class Sedan
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	13 inches

Tires and Wheels

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 C-Class Sedan’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Jetta GLI has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the C-Class Sedan.

The Jetta GLI has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the C-Class Sedan; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the C-Class Sedan don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

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 C-Class Sedan’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

Passenger Space

The Jetta GLI has 4.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the C-Class Sedan (94.7 vs. 90).

The Jetta GLI has 1.4 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom and 2.2 inches more rear legroom than the C-Class Sedan.

Cargo Capacity

The Jetta GLI has a much larger trunk than the C-Class Sedan (14.1 vs. 12.6 cubic feet).

Ergonomics

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. Wireless charging costs extra on the C-Class Sedan.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Jetta GLI owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Jetta GLI will cost $220 to $1650 less than the C-Class Sedan 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 C-Class Sedan only retains 43.48% to 44.24%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Volkswagen Jetta GLI will be $15538 to $18402 less than for the Mercedes C-Class Sedan.

Recommendations

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

The Volkswagen Jetta outsold the Mercedes C-Class by over two to one during the 2021 model year.