Compare the2024 Volkswagen JettaVS 2023 Genesis G70

The Jetta 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 G70 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 and the G70 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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.

There are over 2 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Genesis dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Jetta’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Jetta third among compact cars in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The G70 isn’t in the top three in its category.

On the EPA test cycle the Jetta gets better mileage than the G70:

Both the Jetta Automatic and the G70 2.0T have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Jetta Automatics have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. A disable switch costs extra on the G70.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Jetta uses regular unleaded gasoline. The G70 requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Jetta higher (7 out of 10) than the Genesis G70 (3). This means the Jetta produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the G70 every 15,000 miles.

The Jetta offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and fuel economy. The G70 doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The Jetta has a standard Hydraulic Brake Assist to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The G70 doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The Jetta stops shorter than the G70:

The Jetta has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The G70’s suspension doesn’t offer rear gas-charged shocks.

For better maneuverability, the Jetta’s turning circle is .5 feet tighter than the G70’s (35.8 feet vs. 36.3 feet). The Jetta’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the G70 AWD’s (35.8 feet vs. 37.7 feet).

The Volkswagen Jetta may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 to 850 pounds less than the Genesis G70.

The front grille of the Jetta uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The G70 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Jetta Sport is quieter than the G70 (75 vs. 77 dB).

The Jetta has .3 inches more rear headroom and 2.6 inches more rear legroom than the G70.

The Jetta has a much larger trunk than the G70 (14.1 vs. 10.5 cubic feet).

If the windows are left open on the Jetta SE/R-Line/SEL/SEL Premium 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 G70 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Jetta’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 G70’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Jetta SEL to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The G70 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Volkswagen Jetta and the Genesis G70, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Volkswagen Jetta outsold the Genesis G70 by over three to one during 2022.