Compare the2024 Volkswagen Jetta GLIVS 2023 Genesis G70

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 G70 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 standard Maneuver Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The G70 doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

Both the Jetta GLI and the G70 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

There are over 2 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Genesis 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 G70’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

As tested in Car and Driver the Volkswagen Jetta GLI is faster than the G70 2.0T 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Jetta GLI gets better mileage than the G70:

Both the Jetta GLI Automatic and the G70 2.0T have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Jetta GLI Automatics have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. A disable switch costs extra on the G70.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Jetta GLI higher (7 out of 10) than the Genesis G70 (3). This means the Jetta GLI produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the G70 every 15,000 miles.

The Jetta GLI offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The G70 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 G70 doesn’t offer an SMG.

For better stopping power the Jetta GLI’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the G70:

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 standard on the G70 2.0T are solid, not vented.

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The Jetta GLI has a standard Hydraulic Brake Assist to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The G70 doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The Jetta GLI stops shorter than the G70:

The Jetta GLI has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The G70’s suspension doesn’t offer rear gas-charged shocks.

The Jetta GLI handles at .95 G’s, while the G70 pulls only .94 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Volkswagen Jetta GLI may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 550 pounds less than the Genesis G70.

The Jetta GLI has .3 inches more rear headroom and 2.6 inches more rear legroom than the G70.

The Jetta GLI has a much larger trunk than the G70 (14.1 vs. 10.5 cubic feet).

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 G70 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 G70’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 G70 Advance/Sport Prestige offers wireless charging.

The Volkswagen Jetta outsold the Genesis G70 by over three to one during 2022.