2025 Acura Integra vs 2026 Volkswagen Jetta GLI

$33,000 · Hatchback

$33,745 · Sedan

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Acura Integra captivates with its premium hatchback versatility and efficiency, boasting 33 MPG combined from its 200 hp powertrain, wrapped in a sleek 185.8-inch frame. Conversely, the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta GLI targets the driving purist, unleashing 228 hp and a robust 258 lb-ft of torque, primarily channeled through a thrilling 6-speed manual transmission. While the Acura leans into sophisticated daily driving with its automatic transmission and a respectable 24.3 cu ft of cargo space, the Jetta GLI prioritizes raw engagement, albeit offering less utility with only 14.1 cu ft of trunk space. The GLI holds a 28 hp advantage, whereas the Integra edges out in efficiency, consuming premium fuel for a slightly better 30/37 MPG split compared to the GLI's 26/36 MPG. Both demand premium unleaded fuel and are priced closely, making the final choice a true battle between utility and visceral performance.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Acura Integra

The Acura Integra wins for commuting due to its superior combined fuel economy of 33 MPG and standard automatic transmission.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Acura Integra

The Integra offers significantly more utility, providing 24.3 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Jetta GLI's 14.1 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Volkswagen Jetta GLI

The Jetta GLI is the choice for enthusiasts, delivering a more potent 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, likely paired with the manual gearbox.

💰 Best Value

2025 Acura Integra

The Integra offers better overall daily efficiency (33 MPG combined) and superior cargo space for a slightly lower MSRP of $33,000.

Choose the Acura Integra if...

You prioritize cargo flexibility, as the Integra hatchback provides 24.3 cu ft of storage.
Fuel economy is paramount, with the Integra achieving 37 MPG on the highway.
You prefer the smooth operation and convenience of a continuously variable automatic transmission for daily driving.

Choose the Volkswagen Jetta GLI if...

You crave raw power, benefiting from the Jetta GLI's advantage of 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.
You insist on maximizing driver involvement with the enthusiast-preferred 6-speed manual transmission.
You value a sportier stance, indicated by the Jetta GLI's slightly taller height (57.3 inches) and sedan profile.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Acura Integra	Volkswagen Jetta GLI
Length	185.8"	186.9"
Width	72.0"	70.8"
Height	55.5"	57.3"
Wheelbase	107.7"	105.6"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Acura	Volkswagen
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	—
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Integrated Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	—	✓
Brake Drying	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓
Rear Fixed Headrests	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓
Engine Immobilizer	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Acura	Volkswagen
Base Engine Displacement	1.5 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	200 hp @ 6000 rpm	228 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque	192 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm	258 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Acura	Volkswagen
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	6-speed manual
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Front Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Acura	Volkswagen
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (recommended)	premium unleaded (recommended)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	30/37 MPG	26/36 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	33 MPG	30 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	372.0/458.8 mi.	343.2/475.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	12.4 gal.	13.2 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Acura	Volkswagen
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Acura	Volkswagen
Infotainment Display	7.0 in	8.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	8	8
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	—
Subwoofer Count	—	1
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

Feature	Acura	Volkswagen
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass	1st Row Power Glass Extended
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
One-Touch Power Windows	—	4

Frontseats

Feature	Acura	Volkswagen
Front Head Room	37.6 in.	38.5 in.
Front Leg Room	42.3 in.	41.1 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.0 in.	55.9 in.
Front Hip Room	54.3 in.	53.0 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	6-way
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Seat Material: Leather	—	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Driver Seat Memory Settings	—	3
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Driver Seat Ventilation	—	✓
Passenger Seat Ventilation	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Acura	Volkswagen
Rear Head Room	36.4 in.	37.2 in.
Rear Leg Room	37.4 in.	37.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	56.0 in.	54.0 in.
Rear Hip Room	48.9 in.	51.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Acura	Volkswagen
Painted Alloy Wheels	✓	✓
Polished Alloy Wheels	✓	✓
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	✓	225/45R H
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Inside Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Acura	Volkswagen
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Acura	Volkswagen
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	6 yr./ 70000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	7 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ 12000 mi.	2 yr./ 20000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Acura Integra and 2026 Volkswagen Jetta GLI.

How much more powerful is the 2026 Jetta GLI than the 2025 Integra?

The Volkswagen Jetta GLI holds a distinct performance edge, delivering 228 horsepower, which is 28 hp more than the Acura Integra's 200 horsepower rating. This power difference, combined with 258 lb-ft of torque in the GLI versus 192 lb-ft in the Integra, suggests a punchier acceleration experience in the VW.

Which car is better for long highway commutes regarding fuel costs?

The 2025 Acura Integra is the more economical highway cruiser, achieving an EPA-estimated 37 MPG highway versus the Jetta GLI's 36 MPG highway. Furthermore, the Integra has a better combined rating of 33 MPG, helping to offset the necessity of using premium unleaded fuel in both vehicles.

Does the hatchback design of the Integra significantly increase utility over the Jetta GLI sedan?

Yes, the Integra's hatchback configuration offers substantially more usable space, boasting 24.3 cu ft of cargo capacity. The Jetta GLI sedan trails significantly, providing only 14.1 cu ft in its trunk.

What is the primary transmission difference between these two models?

The 2025 Acura Integra comes standard with a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission, designed for smoothness and efficiency. In contrast, the 2026 Jetta GLI emphasizes driver engagement by pairing its power output with a dedicated 6-speed manual transmission.

Are these two vehicles similarly sized, or does one offer a larger physical footprint?

The vehicles are nearly identical in length, with the Jetta GLI measuring 186.9 inches compared to the Integra's 185.8 inches. However, the Jetta GLI is slightly taller at 57.3 inches, while the Integra is wider at 72.0 inches.

Considering the MSRP, does the more powerful GLI offer better value?

The base MSRPs are extremely close, with the Integra at $33,000 and the Jetta GLI at $33,745. The Integra is technically less expensive and offers superior MPG and cargo volume, giving it a slight edge in overall practical value.