Skip to content
GizmoDriver

Subaru WRX vs Volkswagen Jetta GLI (2026)

Price gap, MSRP + destination

$1,330

Car 1

Car 2

WRXJetta GLIMSRP + destination$33,690$35,020Horsepower271 hp228 hpTorque258 lb-ft258 lb-ftCargo, max12.5 cu ft14.1 cu ftRear legroom36.5 in37.4 inFront legroom43.1 in41.1 inSeats55Ground clearance5.4 in5.2 in0-60 mph5.3 s6.4 s
Scored measures. Each is scaled to the larger value. Bold: the winner.
WRX AWD vs Jetta GLI Autobahn FWD
MeasureWRXJetta GLIWinner
MSRP + destination$33,690$35,020WRX
Horsepower271 hp228 hpWRX
Torque258 lb-ft258 lb-ftAbout the same
MPG combined22 mpg33 mpg to 34 mpgN/A
Cargo, max12.5 cu ft14.1 cu ftJetta GLI
Cargo, seats up12.5 cu ftN/AN/A
Rear legroom36.5 in37.4 inJetta GLI
Front legroom43.1 in41.1 inWRX
Length183.8 in185.8 in to 186.9 inN/A
Width72.0 in71.3 inNot scored
Curb weight3,430 lb3,247 lbNot scored
Seats55About the same
Ground clearance5.4 in5.2 inAbout the same
0-60 mph5.3 s estimate6.4 s estimateWRX
Basic warranty3 yr / 36,000 mi4 yr / 50,000 miJetta GLI

Not scored: length, width, curb weight. N/A rows are not counted.

Nearest trims by price

Each trim and the rival trim nearest in MSRP
TrimNearest in priceGap
WRX AWD
$32,495		Jetta GLI Autobahn DSG
$33,745		$1,250
Jetta GLI Autobahn FWD
$33,745		WRX Premium Manual AWD
$33,995		$250

Cost to run

No total: a price or rating is missing.

12,000 miles a year. Gas $3.20. Electricity 17 cents per kWh.

Price plus fuel or charging over 6 years
CostWRXJetta GLI
MSRP + destination$33,690$35,020
Fuel or charging, 1 year$1,745N/A
Fuel or charging, 6 years$10,473N/A
Total, 6 years$44,163N/A

Which is better for me?

Weight each group from 0 to 10. MPG uses fuel or charging cost.

Equal weights: WRX wins.

Jetta GLI wins if Power weight is 2 or less.

Who is ahead in each group
GroupAheadBy
PriceWRX4%
MPGN/A
PowerWRX16%
SpaceJetta GLI11%
TowingN/A

Other years

What this cannot tell you

Your price and mpg will differ.

Reliability and safety are not included.

How values are checked