Compare the2024 Volkswagen Jetta GLIVS 2023 Kia Stinger

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 Stinger 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 Stinger doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

Both the Jetta GLI and the Stinger 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, 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 Stinger:

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 Stinger:

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

The Jetta GLI’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Stinger’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 Stinger.

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

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Jetta GLI uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Stinger requires premium, 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 GLI higher (7 out of 10) than the Kia Stinger (3). This means the Jetta GLI produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Stinger every 15,000 miles.

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

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 standard on the Stinger GT-Line are solid, not vented.

The Jetta GLI stops shorter than the Stinger:

The Jetta GLI handles at .95 G’s, while the Stinger AWD pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Volkswagen Jetta GLI may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 800 pounds less than the Kia Stinger.

The Jetta GLI is 3.3 inches shorter than the Stinger, making the Jetta GLI easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Jetta GLI Autobahn is quieter than the Stinger GT2:

The Jetta GLI has .2 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more rear headroom and 1 inch more rear legroom than the Stinger.

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 Stinger’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

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 Stinger can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Volkswagen Jetta outsold the Kia Stinger by almost five to one during 2022.