The Mazda6 has standard Whiplash Reducing Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Reducing Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Jetta GLI doesn't offer a whiplash protection system.

The Mazda6's lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The Jetta GLI doesn't offer a lane departure warning system.

The Mazda6 Signature has a standard 360-degree View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Jetta GLI only offers a rear monitor.

The Mazda6 Signature'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 Mazda6 and the Jetta GLI have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight's “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Mazda6 its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 35 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Jetta GLI has not been tested, yet.

Mazda's powertrain warranty covers the 6 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 Mazda6's corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Jetta GLI's (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports' December 2019 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda second in reliability. Volkswagen is ranked 27th.

The Mazda6 Grand Touring/Signature/Carbon Edition's standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 22 more horsepower (250 vs. 228) and 62 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 258) than the Jetta GLI's 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine's cylinders helps improve the Mazda6 (except Turbo)'s fuel efficiency. The Jetta GLI doesn't offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Mazda6 has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Jetta GLI (16.4 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Mazda6 comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Jetta GLI.

To help the driver achieve optimum performance and fuel economy, the Mazda6 has a standard up-shift light to indicate when to shift based on power needs and conditions. The Jetta GLI doesn't offer an up-shift light.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Mazda6 Touring/Grand Touring/Signature/Carbon Edition has standard 19-inch wheels. The Jetta GLI's largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Mazda6 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Jetta GLI's suspension doesn't offer gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Mazda6's wheelbase is 5.8 inches longer than on the Jetta GLI (111.4 inches vs. 105.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Mazda6 is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Jetta GLI.

The Mazda6 (except Sport) offers available computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Jetta GLI doesn't offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Mazda6 Touring is quieter than the Jetta GLI Autobahn:

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Mazda6 a Mid-size car, while the Jetta GLI is rated a Compact.

The Mazda6 has 5.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Jetta GLI (99.8 vs. 94.7).

The Mazda6 has 1.1 inches more front legroom, 1.3 inches more rear legroom and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Jetta GLI.

The Mazda6 has a larger trunk than the Jetta GLI (14.7 vs. 14.1 cubic feet).

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Mazda6's trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don't intrude into the trunk. The Jetta GLI's useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

The Mazda6 Grand Touring Reserve/Signature/Carbon Edition has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and other key instrumentation 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.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Mazda6 detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Jetta GLI doesn't offer automatic dimming high beams.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Mazda6 Grand Touring Reserve/Signature/Carbon Edition has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Jetta GLI doesn't offer cornering lights.

The Mazda6's optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Jetta GLI has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don't dim.

Both the Mazda6 and the Jetta GLI offer available heated front seats. The Mazda6 Grand Touring Reserve/Signature/Carbon Edition 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.

On extremely cold winter days, the Mazda6 Grand Touring Reserve/Signature/Carbon Edition's standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Jetta GLI doesn't offer a heated steering wheel.

Both the Mazda6 and the Jetta GLI offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Mazda6 Touring/Grand Touring/Signature/Carbon Edition 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.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Mazda6 has a standard Radar Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Jetta GLI doesn't offer an adaptive cruise control.

The Mazda6 (except Sport/Touring)'s available GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Jetta GLI's available navigation system doesn't offer real-time traffic updates.

Insurance will cost less for the Mazda6 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Mazda6 will cost $660 to $2465 less than the Jetta GLI over a five-year period.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda6, based on reliability, safety and performance.