Compare the2023 Volkswagen Jetta GLIVS 2022 Honda Accord

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 Accord 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 Accord Sport 2.0T/EX/EX-L/Touring 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 Accord Sport 2.0T/EX-L/Touring has a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the Jetta GLI and the Accord 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 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 Honda Accord:

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

The Jetta GLI comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The Accord’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Jetta GLI’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Accord’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. Honda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Accord.

The Volkswagen Jetta GLI’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Accord’s engines use 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’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Honda With 13 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen higher than Honda.

The Jetta GLI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 36 more horsepower (228 vs. 192) and 66 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 192) than the Accord’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Volkswagen Jetta GLI is faster than the Honda Accord (manual transmissions tested):

As tested in Car and Driver the Volkswagen Jetta GLI is faster than the Honda Accord 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder (automatics tested):

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

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

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

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 Accord are solid, not vented.

The Jetta GLI stops much shorter than the Accord:

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 Accord’s standard 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 Accord.

The Jetta GLI’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (58.6% to 41.4%) than the Accord’s (59.8% to 40.2%). This gives the Jetta GLI more stable handling and braking.

The Jetta GLI handles at .95 G’s, while the Accord Sport pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Jetta GLI’s turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the Accord LX/EX-L’s (36.7 feet vs. 38.2 feet). The Jetta GLI’s turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the Accord 2.0T’s (36.7 feet vs. 39.6 feet).

The Jetta GLI is 9.2 inches shorter than the Accord, making the Jetta GLI easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Jetta GLI Autobahn is quieter than the Accord Sport (77 vs. 78 dB).

The Jetta GLI’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Accord LX’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

The power windows standard on both the Jetta GLI and the Accord have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Jetta GLI is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Accord prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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 Accord’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The Jetta GLI’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Accord’s power window (except driver window), power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 Accord’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

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 Accord doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Jetta GLI’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Honda only offers heated mirrors on the Accord Sport 2.0T/Sport SE/EX-L/Touring.

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 Accord EX-L/Sport 2.0T/Touring offers wireless charging.