Compare the2023 Volkswagen Jetta GLIVS 2023 Toyota Camry

The Jetta GLI has a standard blind spot warning system which 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 Camry’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Jetta GLI has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the Camry.

Both the Jetta GLI and the Camry have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, 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 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 Toyota Camry:

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 Camry’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 Camry’s (7 vs. 5 years).

The Volkswagen Jetta GLI’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Camry’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 26 more horsepower (228 vs. 202) and 76 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 182) than the Camry AWD’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Jetta GLI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 25 more horsepower (228 vs. 203) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 184) than the Camry’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Jetta GLI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 23 more horsepower (228 vs. 205) and 73 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 185) than the Camry XSE AWD’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Volkswagen Jetta GLI is faster than the Toyota Camry 4 cyl. (automatics tested):

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

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 Camry doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Jetta GLI higher (7 out of 10) than the Toyota Camry (5 to 7). This means the Jetta GLI produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Camry every 15,000 miles.

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

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

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 Camry are solid, not vented.

The Jetta GLI stops much shorter than the Camry:

For better traction, the Jetta GLI has larger tires than the Camry (225/45R18 vs. 215/55R17).

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 Camry LE’s standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Jetta GLI has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Camry LE.

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

The Jetta GLI has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Camry doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Jetta GLI handles at .95 G’s, while the Camry LE pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Jetta GLI’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Camry LE’s (36.7 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The Jetta GLI’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the Camry AWD SE/XLE/XSE’s (36.7 feet vs. 39.3 feet).

The Jetta GLI is 5.2 inches shorter than the Camry LE/XLE, making the Jetta GLI easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Jetta GLI’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Camry TRD doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

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 Camry 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 Camry’s parking brake has to be released manually.

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 Camry’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 Camry 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 Camry and aren’t offered on the Camry Nightshade/TRD.

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 Camry’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Jetta GLI has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Camry TRD doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

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 not available on the Camry TRD.

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 Camry and isn’t available on the Camry Nightshade/TRD.

The Jetta GLI was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2 of the last 3 years. The Camry hasn’t been picked since 1997.