Compare the2026 Volkswagen Jetta GLIVS 2026 Toyota Crown

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Jetta GLI has standard Rear Traffic Alert with automatic braking, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Only the Crown Limited/Platinum/Nightshade offers Parking Support Brake.

Both the Jetta GLI and the Crown have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, 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 Toyota Crown:

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 Toyota Crown:

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 Crown’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 Crown’s (7 vs. 5 years).

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

The Jetta GLI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 258 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. ) than the Crown’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

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

Both the Jetta GLI Automatic and the Crown 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.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Jetta GLI uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Crown Platinum requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

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

A seven-speed automatic (SMG) is optional on the Volkswagen Jetta GLI, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Crown.

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 Crown doesn’t offer an SMG.

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

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 Crown are solid, not vented.

The Jetta GLI stops much shorter than the Crown:

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 Crown XLE/Limited’s standard 55 series tires.

The Jetta GLI handles at .95 G’s, while the Crown Limited pulls only .82 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 750 to 1050 pounds less than the Toyota Crown.

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

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Jetta GLI easier. The Jetta GLI’s trunk lift-over height is 28.7 inches, while the Crown’s liftover is 30.3 inches.

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 Crown’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 Crown doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Volkswagen Jetta outsold the Toyota Crown by almost four to one during 2024.