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 WRX 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. A system to reveal vehicles in the WRX’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. Only the WRX Limited offers a rear cross-path warning system and it costs extra.
Both the Jetta GLI and the WRX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights 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 Subaru WRX:
|
Jetta GLI |
WRX |
|
Driver |
|
STARS |
4 Stars |
4 Stars |
HIC |
247 |
308 |
Leg Forces (l/r) |
46/106 lbs. |
268/589 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 Subaru WRX:
|
Jetta GLI |
WRX |
|
Front Seat |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
HIC |
101 |
118 |
Chest Movement |
.9 inches |
1.1 inches |
Hip Force |
317 lbs. |
443 lbs. |
|
Rear Seat |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
Spine Acceleration |
56 G’s |
65 G’s |
|
Into Pole |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
Max Damage Depth |
13 inches |
14 inches |
HIC |
239 |
292 |
Spine Acceleration |
38 G’s |
44 G’s |
Hip Force |
627 lbs. |
884 lbs. |
New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.