Compare the2024 Volkswagen Jetta GLIVS 2024 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 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 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.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Jetta GLI the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 207 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Crown has not been fully tested, yet.

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):

On the EPA test cycle the Jetta GLI 7-speed SMG gets better fuel mileage than the Crown Platinum 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder Hybrid 6-speed Auto (26 city/36 hwy vs. 29 city/32 hwy).

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 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Jetta GLI offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. 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’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.

For better maneuverability, the Jetta GLI’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Crown’s (36.7 feet vs. 38 feet).

The Volkswagen Jetta GLI may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 700 to 1000 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.

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 over two to one during 2023.