2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs 2023 Volkswagen Jetta

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta presented a traditional four-door sedan option, though its appeal was questioned against more stylish or utilitarian alternatives like the VW Taos or Mazda3 Hatchback. Available in S, Sport, SE, SEL, and GLI trims, the Jetta's pricing ranged from $20,665 to $31,585, excluding destination charges. The SEL trim, tested in Platinum Gray Metallic with a Volcano Brown and Titan Black interior, offered a conservative design that, while visually inoffensive, lacked the symmetry and balance of previous generations. Inside, the Jetta SEL aimed for an upscale feel with features like ambient lighting, genuine leather upholstery, and larger digital displays, providing a sense of luxury under $30,000.

In contrast, the 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI, a sporty hatchback, was only available as a five-door model in the U.S., with a more expressive design than its predecessor. The GTI featured a wide-mouth grille, LED headlights, and a light strip on SE and Autobahn models, though its low-placed elements gave it odd proportions. The 2024 model introduced a 380 special edition package for manual-transmission models, marking the end of the manual GTI. The GTI's interior combined classic styling with modern tech, including a digital instrument cluster and a large infotainment screen, while maintaining the GTI's signature plaid upholstery. Despite its sporty nature, the GTI offered a comfortable and quiet ride, making it a practical choice for everyday use.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta was equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. It offered a choice between a six-speed manual transmission for S and Sport trims and an eight-speed automatic for SE and SEL trims. The Jetta's driving experience was characterized by its turbocharged torque, light steering, and a compliant suspension, making it nimble in urban settings. However, the automatic transmission exhibited a delay in acceleration, which could be mitigated by using the Sport mode, albeit at the cost of fuel economy. The Jetta SEL averaged 30 mpg in testing, slightly below its EPA rating of 33 mpg. Despite these quirks, the Jetta's accurate steering and faithful brakes provided a rewarding driving experience, especially on mountain roads.

The 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured VW's EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. It offered a choice between a six-speed manual and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive as standard. The GTI's chassis included an electronically-controlled limited-slip differential and optional adaptive damping, enhancing its precise handling and stability. The driving experience was smooth and mature, with linear powertrain response and no turbo lag. While the GTI's performance was less dramatic than some competitors, it excelled in real-world usability, offering a quiet and comfortable ride, especially with adaptive dampers. The GTI balanced performance with everyday practicality, making it a versatile choice for enthusiasts.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta offered ample interior space, comfortably accommodating four adults, with the option to fit a fifth passenger for short trips. The Jetta's interior featured an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seats provided generous legroom and heated cushions, though rear air conditioning vents were absent. Storage was plentiful, with a large center bin, glove compartment, and door panel storage, complemented by a 14.1 cubic feet trunk, nearly matching midsize sedans in capacity.

The 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI, with its hatchback design, offered 19.9 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 34.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, surpassing rival sedans. While passenger space was comparable to sport compact sedans, rear-seat passengers might feel slightly cramped. The GTI's interior featured heated front seats, automatic climate control, and ambient lighting, with SE and Autobahn trims adding a sunroof and keyless entry. The Autobahn trim also included leather upholstery, three-zone climate control, and a 12-way power driver's seat. However, haptic controls for temperature and audio volume on SE and Autobahn models hindered functionality, prioritizing form over function.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta SEL featured a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro instrumentation panel and an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with proximity sensing and shortcut tiles. While the system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, its radio tuning process was cumbersome, and voice recognition required Car-Net service upgrades for advanced functionality. Car-Net provided a Wi-Fi hotspot and five years of complimentary access to remote and safety features. The SEL trim included a Beats Audio premium sound system, though it was less satisfying than previous Fender systems.

The 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI's base S trim came with an 8.25-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a six-speaker audio system. SE and Autobahn models upgraded to a 10-inch touchscreen, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a nine-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, with voice control and SiriusXM 360L. The 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro was standard across all trims, offering four configurations, though its design was criticized for being cheesy. The GTI's infotainment system was generally user-friendly, but the instrument cluster's layout was less effective at conveying information, emphasizing form over function.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta SE and SEL were equipped with IQ.Drive, a package of advanced driving assistance systems, including Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist, performing well on challenging roads. Emergency Assist could identify an unresponsive driver and safely stop the car. The Jetta received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA but earned four stars for frontal-impact protection. The IIHS rated the Jetta's safety as Poor in a new moderate overlap frontal-impact crash test.

The 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI had not been fully tested by the IIHS or NHTSA at press time, but it received top "Good" scores in some tests. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. Travel Assist was also standard, along with Intelligent Crash Response and Emergency Assist on DSG models. Additional features like park distance control and traffic sign recognition were available.