Compare the2024 Volkswagen Jetta GLIVS 2023 Mercedes AMG CLA

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen Jetta GLI are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Mercedes AMG CLA doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

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

The Jetta GLI’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the AMG CLA.

Both the Jetta GLI and the AMG CLA have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, 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 231 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The AMG CLA has not been tested, yet.

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

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. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the AMG CLA.

There are over 66 percent more Volkswagen dealers than there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Jetta GLI’s warranty.

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

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Jetta GLI has a standard 140-amp alternator. The AMG CLA’s 115-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Volkswagen 1 place higher in reliability than Mercedes.

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Jetta GLI uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The AMG CLA 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 Mercedes AMG CLA (3 to 5). This means the Jetta GLI produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the AMG CLA every 15,000 miles.

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 AMG CLA; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the AMG CLA don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

The Volkswagen Jetta GLI may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 300 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG CLA.

The Jetta GLI has 4.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the AMG CLA (93.9 vs. 89).

The Jetta GLI has .8 inches more front shoulder room, 1.5 inches more rear headroom and 3.5 inches more rear legroom than the AMG CLA.

The Jetta GLI has a much larger trunk than the AMG CLA (14.1 vs. 11.6 cubic feet).

To shield the driver’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side window, the Jetta GLI has a standard extendable sun visor. The AMG CLA doesn’t offer extendable visors.

On extremely cold winter days, the Jetta GLI Autobahn’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The AMG CLA doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

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. Wireless charging costs extra on the AMG CLA.

The Volkswagen Jetta outsold the Mercedes CLA by over four to one during 2022.