Compare the2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLIVS 2021 MINI John Cooper Works GP

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen Jetta GLI are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The MINI John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Jetta GLI has standard Autonomous Emergency Braking, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The John Cooper Works GP doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

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 John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Jetta GLI’s 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. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The Jetta GLI’s blind spot warning system 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. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Jetta GLI’s standard rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the Jetta GLI and the John Cooper Works GP have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

The Volkswagen Jetta GLI weighs 417 to 500 pounds more than the MINI John Cooper Works GP. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

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 John Cooper Works GP has not been tested, yet.

There are over 5 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are MINI 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 John Cooper Works GP’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

On the EPA test cycle the Jetta GLI gets better mileage than the John Cooper Works GP:

The Jetta GLI has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the John Cooper Works GP (13.2 vs. 11.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Jetta GLI higher (7 out of 10) than the MINI John Cooper Works GP (3). This means the Jetta GLI produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the John Cooper Works GP every 15,000 miles.

The Jetta GLI offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and fuel economy. The John Cooper Works GP 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 John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer an SMG.

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 John Cooper Works GP are solid, not vented.

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 John Cooper Works GP; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

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 John Cooper Works GP’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Jetta GLI’s wheelbase is 7.4 inches longer than on the John Cooper Works GP (105.6 inches vs. 98.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Jetta GLI is .6 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than on the John Cooper Works GP.

The Jetta GLI’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (58.6% to 41.4%) than the John Cooper Works GP’s (66% to 34%). This gives the Jetta GLI more stable handling and braking.

The design of the Volkswagen Jetta GLI amounts to more than styling. The Jetta GLI has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .3 Cd. That is significantly lower than the John Cooper Works GP (.4) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Jetta GLI get better fuel mileage.

The Jetta GLI has standard seating for 5 passengers; the John Cooper Works GP can only carry 2.

The Jetta GLI has 45.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the John Cooper Works GP (94.7 vs. 49).

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 John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When different drivers share the Jetta GLI, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Jetta GLI’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The John Cooper Works GP has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Jetta GLI’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children in the rear seat from operating them, but the driver can still raise and lower all of them with the lock engaged. MINI does not offer a locking feature on the John Cooper Works GP’s standard power windows.

Keyless Access standard on the Jetta GLI allows you to unlock the driver’s door, trunk and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The MINI John Cooper Works GP’s Start/Stop Switch doesn’t unlock the doors or the trunk.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Jetta GLI detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

The John Cooper Works GP’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Jetta GLI’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Jetta GLI keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Jetta GLI has a standard Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The John Cooper Works GP doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

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