Compare the2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLIVS 2024 Acura TLX

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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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 TLX 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Jetta GLI has standard Maneuver Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The TLX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Jetta GLI and TLX have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Jetta GLI has Rear Traffic Alert (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The TLX’s Rear Cross Traffic Monitor doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Jetta GLI and the TLX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volkswagen Jetta GLI is safer than the Acura TLX:

	Jetta GLI	TLX
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	315	358
Neck Stress	152 lbs.	186 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	308/63 lbs.	416/473 lbs.

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

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 Acura TLX:

	Jetta GLI	TLX
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	101	128
Abdominal Force	188 lbs.	188 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	239	464

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

Warranty

The Jetta GLI’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the TLX’s (7 vs. 5 years).

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

Reliability

The Volkswagen Jetta GLI’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the TLX’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Jetta GLI’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the TLX’s camshafts. If the TLX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

Engine

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

	Jetta GLI	TLX
Zero to 60 MPH	5.6 sec	5.9 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	13.8 sec	15.3 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.1 sec	6.5 sec
Quarter Mile	14.2 sec	14.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	101 MPH	97 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Jetta GLI
FWD	Manual	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	26 city/36 hwy
	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/35 hwy
TLX
	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/31 hwy
AWD	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/29 hwy
		3.0 turbo V6	19 city/25 hwy

Environmental Friendliness

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

Transmission

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

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Jetta GLI	TLX
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	13 inches

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 TLX are solid, not vented.

The Jetta GLI stops much shorter than the TLX:

	Jetta GLI	TLX
100 to 0 MPH	334 feet	362 feet	Car and Driver
70 to 0 MPH	160 feet	177 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

The Jetta GLI has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the TLX; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The Jetta GLI handles at .95 G’s, while the TLX A-Spec SH-AWD pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Jetta GLI’s turning circle is 4.4 feet tighter than the TLX’s (35.8 feet vs. 40.2 feet).

Chassis

The Volkswagen Jetta GLI may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 900 pounds less than the Acura TLX.

The Jetta GLI is 7.7 inches shorter than the TLX, making the Jetta GLI easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Jetta GLI Autobahn is quieter than the TLX Type S (70 vs. 71 dB).

Passenger Space

The Jetta GLI has 1.3 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more rear headroom and 2.5 inches more rear legroom than the TLX.

Cargo Capacity

The Jetta GLI has a larger trunk than the TLX (14.1 vs. 13.5 cubic feet).

Ergonomics

The power windows standard on both the Jetta GLI and the TLX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Jetta GLI is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The TLX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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 TLX’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 TLX doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Jetta GLI has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the TLX.

Economic Advantages

The Jetta GLI will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Jetta GLI will retain 51.86% to 52.14% of its original price after five years, while the TLX only retains 45.75% to 49.71%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Volkswagen Jetta GLI will be $8524 to $27521 less than for the Acura TLX.

Recommendations

The Volkswagen Jetta outsold the Acura TLX by almost three to one during 2023.

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