Compare the2025 Toyota CrownVS 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Crown 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 Volkswagen Jetta GLI doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Crown are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Jetta GLI doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Toyota Crown has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Jetta GLI doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Crown has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Jetta GLI doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

With its standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, the Toyota Crown is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Volkswagen Jetta GLI, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Crown	Jetta GLI
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	AVOIDED	-12 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-18 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-18 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	No Slowing
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	No Slowing
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	No Slowing
Warning Issued-Brights	2.4 sec	No Warning
37 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	No Slowing
Warning Issued-Low beams	1.8 sec	No Warning

The Crown has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Jetta GLI doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Crown (except XLE/Nightshade) offers an optional Bird’s Eye View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Jetta GLI only offers a rear monitor.

The Crown’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Jetta GLI doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Crown and the Jetta GLI 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.

The Toyota Crown weighs 669 to 1102 pounds more than the Volkswagen Jetta GLI. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Crown is safer than the Volkswagen Jetta GLI:

	Crown	Jetta GLI
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	136	278
Neck Stress	248 lbs.	272 lbs.
Neck Compression	16 lbs.	57 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	179	232
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	26.1%	41.8%
Neck Compression	31 lbs.	136 lbs.

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 Toyota Crown is safer than the Volkswagen Jetta GLI:

	Crown	Jetta GLI
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	32	101
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	130 lbs.	188 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	157	306
Spine Acceleration	54 G’s	56 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	36 G’s	38 G’s

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

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Toyota Crown is safer than the Jetta GLI:

	Crown	Jetta GLI
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	132	226
Neck Tension	223 lbs.	245 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.83 in	1.06 in
Torso Max Deflection	1.54 in	1.85 in
Torso Deflection Rate	7 MPH	12 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	1071 lbs.	1182 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	220	274
Neck Tension	67 lbs.	89 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	1.02 in	1.97 in
Shoulder Force	245 lbs.	379 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.46 in	1.69 in
Torso Deflection Rate	8 MPH	10 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	759 lbs.	1049 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Crown is 1.7% less likely to roll over than the Jetta GLI.

Warranty

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the Crown 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the Jetta GLI. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Jetta GLI ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Crown’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Jetta GLI’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are almost 2 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Volkswagen dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Crown’s warranty.

Reliability

The battery on the Crown is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Crown’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Jetta GLI’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 49 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 120 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 27th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. Volkswagen is ranked 18th.

Engine

The Crown’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 8 more horsepower (236 vs. 228) than the Jetta GLI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Crown Platinum’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 112 more horsepower (340 vs. 228) and 142 lbs.-ft. more torque (400 vs. 258) than the Jetta GLI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Crown Platinum 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Volkswagen Jetta GLI (automatics tested):

	Crown	Jetta GLI
Zero to 60 MPH	5.1 sec	5.6 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	13.5 sec	13.8 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	5.9 sec	6.1 sec
Quarter Mile	13.8 sec	14.2 sec
Top Speed	129 MPH	126 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Crown
AWD	Auto	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	42 city/41 hwy
		2.4 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	29 city/32 hwy
Jetta GLI
FWD	Manual	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	26 city/36 hwy
	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/35 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Crown’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Jetta GLI doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Regardless of its engine, the Crown’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. Volkswagen only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the Jetta GLI Automatic.

The Crown has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Jetta GLI (14.5 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The Toyota Crown comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Jetta GLI.

The Crown has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Jetta GLI doesn’t offer a CVT.

Tires and Wheels

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Crown has standard 19-inch wheels. Only 18-inch wheels are available on the Jetta GLI. The Crown offers optional 21-inch wheels.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Crown’s wheelbase is 6.6 inches longer than on the Jetta GLI (112.2 inches vs. 105.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Crown is 2.5 inches wider in the front and 2.5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Jetta GLI.

Chassis

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

	Crown	Jetta GLI
At idle	38 dB	42 dB
70 MPH Cruising	66 dB	70 dB

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Crown a Mid-size car, while the Jetta GLI is rated a Compact.

The Crown has 3.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Jetta GLI (98 vs. 94.7).

The Crown has 1 inch more front legroom, 2.2 inches more front hip room, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 1.5 inches more rear legroom, 1.7 inches more rear hip room and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Jetta GLI.

Cargo Capacity

The Crown has a much larger trunk than the Jetta GLI (15.2 vs. 14.1 cubic feet).

With its sedan body style, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the Crown offers cargo security. The Jetta GLI’s non-lockable remote release defeats cargo security.

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Crown. The Jetta GLI doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Crown Platinum’s power trunk can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Jetta GLI doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

Ergonomics

The Crown’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Jetta GLI doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Crown Platinum has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Jetta GLI doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

If the windows are left open on the Crown the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Jetta GLI can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

The Crown’s standard Smart Key System allows you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Access standard on the Jetta GLI doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Crown’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Jetta GLI’s headlights are rated “Marginal” to “Poor.”

Both the Toyota Crown and Volkswagen Jetta GLI offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Crown features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Jetta GLI’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

Both the Crown and the Jetta GLI have standard heated front seats. The Crown also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Jetta GLI.

Both the Crown and the Jetta GLI offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Crown has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Jetta GLI doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The Toyota Crown has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Volkswagen charges extra for Homelink® on the Jetta GLI.

The Crown Platinum’s Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Jetta GLI doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Crown, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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