Compare the2026 Volkswagen Jetta GLIVS 2025 Audi S3

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen Jetta GLI have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Audi S3 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

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 S3 doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

Both the Jetta GLI and the S3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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.

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. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the S3.

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

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Jetta GLI has a standard 540-amp battery. The S3’s 380-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 44 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Volkswagen higher than Audi.

On the EPA test cycle the Jetta GLI gets better mileage than the S3:

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 S3; 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 S3 don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Jetta GLI’s wheelbase is 2 inches longer than on the S3 (105.6 inches vs. 103.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Jetta GLI is 1.1 inches wider in the rear than on the S3.

For better maneuverability, the Jetta GLI’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the S3’s (35.8 feet vs. 36.5 feet).

The Volkswagen Jetta GLI may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 300 pounds less than the Audi S3.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Jetta GLI a Compact car, while the S3 is rated a Subcompact.

The Jetta GLI has 7.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the S3 (94.7 vs. 87).

The Jetta GLI has 1.7 inches more front headroom, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, 2.2 inches more rear legroom and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the S3.

The Jetta GLI has a much larger trunk than the S3 (14.1 vs. 8.3 cubic feet).

The Jetta GLI’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Engine Start/Stop standard on the S3 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

The S3’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Jetta GLI’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The Jetta GLI’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The S3’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Jetta GLI keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The S3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Jetta GLI’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The S3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Compared to traditional radio, the Volkswagen Jetta GLI’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio costs extra on the S3.

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 S3.

The Volkswagen Jetta outsold the Audi A3/S3/RS 3 by almost seven to one during 2024.