Published June 21 2022

What are the Differences Between the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI and the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI?

For 2022, Volkswagen offers the Jetta GLI and the Golf GTI, both of which are sporty compact cars that are fun to drive and practical. Here are the major differences that set them apart.

The body styles

The most obvious differences between the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI and the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI are their body styles since the Jetta is exclusively offered as a sedan and the Golf is only a five-door hatchback. In addition to the exterior styling, this leads to differences in the interior space of both vehicles. The Jetta GLI offers more space for rear passengers while the Golf GTI benefits from additional space for the front passengers and a larger cargo area that is easier to access.

The mechanicals

Under the hood of the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI and the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI sits a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine that can be paired with a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic. In the Jetta GLI, this engine produces 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque while in the Golf GTI, an updated version of the same engine ups the output to 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. The slightly lower output of the Jetta is offset by a lower fuel consumption that can average 6.4 L/100km on the highway instead of 6.9 L/100km of the GTI.

The trim levels

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI and the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI also differ in another way: the trim levels. Indeed, the Jetta GLI is available in only one version that includes the 8-inch touch screen, the Beats Audio sound system, the dual-zone automatic climate control, the Digital cockpit pro and the Car-Net services. The Golf GTI is offered in three separate trim levels that start with the regular GTI, which features a similar level of equipment to the Jetta GLI, followed by the Autobahn and the Performance, both of which add performance and convenience features.