Compare the2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLIVS 2024 Nissan Altima

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages

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 Altima 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.

Both the Jetta GLI and Altima have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Jetta GLI has Rear Traffic Alert (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Altima’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Jetta GLI and the Altima 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

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 Nissan Altima:

	Jetta GLI	Altima
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	41.6%	54%
Neck Stress	152 lbs.	280 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	308/63 lbs.	260/280 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 Nissan Altima:

	Jetta GLI	Altima
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	101	187
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1.4 inches
Hip Force	317 lbs.	511 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	16 inches
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	42 G’s
Hip Force	627 lbs.	769 lbs.

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

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Volkswagen Jetta GLI is much safer than the Altima:

	Jetta GLI	Altima
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Structure	GOOD	POOR
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	MARGINAL
Head Injury Criterion	226	562
Head Peak Forces	no contact	109 G’s
Neck Tension	245 lbs.	625 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Shoulder Deflection	1.06 in	2.09 in
Shoulder Force	245 lbs.	402 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.85 in	2.2 in
Pelvis Force	1182 lbs.	1339 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Passenger Injury Measures
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	201 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Warranty

The Jetta GLI comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The Altima’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 Altima’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, tire rotations, air filter replacements, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Altima.

Reliability

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

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Jetta GLI has a 140-amp alternator. The Altima’s standard 120-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Jetta GLI has a standard 540-amp battery. The Altima’s 510-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

Engine

The Jetta GLI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 46 more horsepower (228 vs. 182) and 80 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 178) than the Altima AWD’s optional 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Jetta GLI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 40 more horsepower (228 vs. 188) and 78 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 180) than the Altima’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Volkswagen Jetta GLI is faster than the Altima AWD 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder (automatics tested):

	Jetta GLI	Altima
Zero to 60 MPH	5.6 sec	7.6 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	13.8 sec	20.7 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.1 sec	8.1 sec
Quarter Mile	14.2 sec	15.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	101 MPH	89 MPH
Top Speed	126 MPH	119 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Jetta GLI
FWD	Manual	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	26 city/36 hwy
	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/35 hwy
Altima
	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/34 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Jetta GLI Automatic’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Altima doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

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 Nissan Altima (6 to 7). This means the Jetta GLI produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Altima every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Jetta GLI	Altima
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	11.65 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	11.02 inches
Opt Rear Rotors		11.5 inches

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 Altima are solid, not vented.

The Jetta GLI stops much shorter than the Altima:

	Jetta GLI	Altima
70 to 0 MPH	160 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Jetta GLI has larger tires than the Altima (225/45R18 vs. 215/60R16).

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 Altima S’ standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Jetta GLI has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Altima S.

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 Altima’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Jetta GLI handles at .95 G’s, while the Altima SL AWD pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Jetta GLI’s turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the Altima S’ (35.8 feet vs. 36.1 feet). The Jetta GLI’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the Altima SR/SV/SL/Platinum’s (35.8 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

Chassis

The Jetta GLI is 6 inches shorter than the Altima, making the Jetta GLI easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Jetta GLI Autobahn is quieter than the Altima SR AWD (42 vs. 45 dB).

Passenger Space

The Jetta GLI has .3 inches more rear headroom and 2.2 inches more rear legroom than the Altima.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the Jetta GLI, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Altima 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 Altima’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The power windows standard on both the Jetta GLI and the Altima 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 Altima 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 Altima’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

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 Altima can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Jetta GLI has standard Keyless Access that allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Altima SR/SV/SL offers an Intelligent Key.

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 Altima’s power window (except driver window) 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 Altima’s 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 Altima doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Jetta GLI’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Heated mirrors cost extra on the Altima and aren’t offered on the Altima S.

When the Jetta GLI is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Altima’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

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 Altima doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Jetta GLI has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Altima SL/SR 2.0.

The Jetta GLI has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Altima SL/SR VC-Turbo.

Compared to the Nissan Altima, the Volkswagen Jetta GLI eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

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 Altima and isn’t available on the Altima S.

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 $125 less than the Altima 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 51.86% to 52.14% of its original price after five years, while the Altima only retains 41.69% to 47.34%.

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