Compare the2026 Volkswagen Jetta GLIVS 2026 Kia K5

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Ergonomics
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 K5 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 GLI and the K5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, 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 Kia K5:

	Jetta GLI	K5
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	232	373
Neck Injury Risk	41.8%	50%
Neck Stress	133 lbs.	147 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 Kia K5:

	Jetta GLI	K5
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	101	110
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	188 lbs.	190 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	56 G’s	75 G’s
Hip Force	554 lbs.	687 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	14 inches
HIC	239	297

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

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Volkswagen Jetta GLI is safer than the K5:

	Jetta GLI	K5
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Peak Forces	no contact	40 G’s
Neck Tension	245 lbs.	290 lbs.
Neck Compression	22 lbs.	67 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	1.06 in	1.85 in
Shoulder Force	245 lbs.	312 lbs.
Torso Deflection Rate	12 MPH	13 MPH
Head Protection	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Passenger Injury Measures
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	178 lbs.
Neck Compression	45 lbs.	156 lbs.
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	1049 lbs.	1294 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Warranty

The Jetta GLI’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the K5’s (7/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Jetta GLI for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the K5.

Reliability

The Volkswagen Jetta GLI’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the K5’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

Engine

The Jetta GLI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 37 more horsepower (228 vs. 191) and 77 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 181) than the K5’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Jetta GLI gets better mileage than the K5:

			MPG
Jetta GLI
FWD	Manual	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	26 city/36 hwy
	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	26 city/35 hwy
K5
	Auto	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/33 hwy
AWD	Auto	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/33 hwy

Both the Jetta GLI Automatic and the K5 LX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Jetta GLI Automatics have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Jetta GLI’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the K5:

	Jetta GLI	K5
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	11.2 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 K5 are solid, not vented.

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 GLI 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 K5 doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The Jetta GLI stops much shorter than the K5:

	Jetta GLI	K5
70 to 0 MPH	160 feet	179 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Jetta GLI has larger tires than the K5 (225/45R18 vs. 205/65R16).

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 K5 LXS’ standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Jetta GLI has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the K5 LXS.

Suspension and Handling

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 K5’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Jetta GLI handles at .95 G’s, while the K5 GT pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Chassis

The Jetta GLI is 6.2 inches shorter than the K5, making the Jetta GLI easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Ergonomics

The Jetta GLI’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The K5’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Jetta GLI 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 K5 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 K5’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 K5 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 K5.

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. Only the K5 GT-Line/EX/GT offers wireless charging.

Recommendations

The Volkswagen Jetta outsold the Kia K5 by 56% during 2024.

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