Compare the2026 Volkswagen Jetta GLIVS 2025 Kia K4

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 K4 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’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The K4 doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The Jetta GLI has a standard blind spot warning system that 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 K4’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Jetta GLI has standard Rear Traffic Alert and automatically engage the brakes. Only the K4 LXS/EX/GT-Line offers Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning.

The Jetta GLI has standard Car-Net, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The K4 doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Jetta GLI and the K4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights 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 Kia K4:

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

The Jetta GLI’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the K4’s (7/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

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. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the K4.

The Volkswagen Jetta GLI’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the K4’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 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 81 more horsepower (228 vs. 147) and 126 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 132) than the K4’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Jetta GLI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 38 more horsepower (228 vs. 190) and 63 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 195) than the K4 GT-Line Turbo’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Volkswagen Jetta GLI is faster than the K4 GT-Line Turbo 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder (automatics tested):

The Jetta GLI offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and fuel economy. The K4 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 K4 doesn’t offer an SMG.

For better stopping power the Jetta GLI’s brake rotors are larger than those on the K4:

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 K4 are solid, not vented.

The Jetta GLI stops much shorter than the K4:

For better traction, the Jetta GLI has larger tires than the K4 (225/45R18 vs. 205/55R16).

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 K4 LX/LXS’ standard 55 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 K4 LX/LXS.

For superior ride and handling, the Volkswagen Jetta GLI has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The K4 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Jetta GLI has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The K4’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Jetta GLI has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Jetta GLI flat and controlled during cornering. The K4 base model’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

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 K4’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Jetta GLI handles at .95 G’s, while the K4 GT-Line Turbo pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Jetta GLI’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The K4’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

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 K4’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the K4 EX/GT-Line’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

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 K4’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 K4 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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 K4 EX/GT-Line.

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 K4 EX/GT-Line offers wireless charging.

The Volkswagen Jetta outsold the Kia K4 by almost three to one during 2024.