Hyundai Sonata vs Volkswagen Jetta GLI: cost to own

Verdict, over 6 years

The Volkswagen Jetta GLI costs about $14,483 less

That's $201 a month. Closest matching trims: same fuel and drive where possible.

Sonata N Line$1,393/moTrue cost

Jetta GLI✓ $1,192/moTrue cost

2026 Hyundai Sonata

Closest matching trim: Sonata N Line

Sticker (MSRP)$40,699

+$8,733→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$49,432

+ running costs→↓− $17,880 resale

True cost$1,393/moA month to own, after resale

2026 Volkswagen Jetta GLI

Closest matching trim: Jetta GLI

Sticker (MSRP)$35,395

+$7,937→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$43,332

+ running costs→↓− $17,344 resale

True cost$1,192/moA month to own, after resale

Line by line


Price
Sticker (MSRP)	$40,699	✓ $35,395	Jetta GLI by $5,304
Freight and fees, before tax	$3,046	✓ $2,952	Jetta GLI by $94
Sales tax (HST)	$5,687	✓ $4,985	Jetta GLI by $702
Drive-away price	$49,432	✓ $43,332	Jetta GLI by $6,100
Running costs, 6 years
Fuel or charging	$14,731	✓ $13,559	Jetta GLI by $1,172
Insurance (estimate)	$24,350	✓ $21,050	Jetta GLI by $3,300
Maintenance (estimate)	$9,951	✓ $7,962	Jetta GLI by $1,989
Loan rate	6.5%	6.5%	—
Loan interest	$9,345	✓ $8,062	Jetta GLI by $1,283
Lost return on your money	$10,273	✓ $9,096	Jetta GLI by $1,177
Resale after 6 yrs	✓ −$17,880	−$17,344	Sonata by $536
Total
True cost	$100,292	✓ $85,808	Jetta GLI by $14,484
True cost a month	$1,393/mo	✓ $1,192/mo	Jetta GLI by $201
You pay each month	$1,429/mo	✓ $1,237/mo	Jetta GLI by $192
Practical
Fuel type	Gas	Gas	—
Seats	5	5	—
Carry-ons, 2 people	4	3	—
Cargo behind row 2, litres	✓ 441	399	—
Length	4.91 m	4.75 m	—
Ground clearance	✓ 14 cm	13 cm	—
Resale % after 6 yrs	44%	✓ 49%	—
US crash test	5★	5★	—

Price

Sticker (MSRP)

Sonata N Line $40,699Jetta GLI ✓ $35,395Cheaper by Jetta GLI by $5,304

Freight and fees, before tax

Sonata N Line $3,046Jetta GLI ✓ $2,952Cheaper by Jetta GLI by $94

Sales tax (HST)

Sonata N Line $5,687Jetta GLI ✓ $4,985Cheaper by Jetta GLI by $702

Drive-away price

Sonata N Line $49,432Jetta GLI ✓ $43,332Cheaper by Jetta GLI by $6,100

Running costs, 6 years

Fuel or charging

Sonata N Line $14,731Jetta GLI ✓ $13,559Cheaper by Jetta GLI by $1,172

Insurance (estimate)

Sonata N Line $24,350Jetta GLI ✓ $21,050Cheaper by Jetta GLI by $3,300

Maintenance (estimate)

Sonata N Line $9,951Jetta GLI ✓ $7,962Cheaper by Jetta GLI by $1,989

Loan rate

Sonata N Line 6.5%Jetta GLI 6.5%Cheaper by —

Loan interest

Sonata N Line $9,345Jetta GLI ✓ $8,062Cheaper by Jetta GLI by $1,283

Lost return on your money

Sonata N Line $10,273Jetta GLI ✓ $9,096Cheaper by Jetta GLI by $1,177

Resale after 6 yrs

Sonata N Line ✓ −$17,880Jetta GLI −$17,344Cheaper by Sonata by $536

Total

True cost

Sonata N Line $100,292Jetta GLI ✓ $85,808Cheaper by Jetta GLI by $14,484

True cost a month

Sonata N Line $1,393/moJetta GLI ✓ $1,192/moCheaper by Jetta GLI by $201

You pay each month

Sonata N Line $1,429/moJetta GLI ✓ $1,237/moCheaper by Jetta GLI by $192

Practical

Fuel type

Sonata N Line GasJetta GLI GasCheaper by —

Seats

Sonata N Line 5Jetta GLI 5Cheaper by —

Carry-ons, 2 people

Sonata N Line 4Jetta GLI 3Cheaper by —

Cargo behind row 2, litres

Sonata N Line ✓ 441Jetta GLI 399Cheaper by —

Length

Sonata N Line 4.91 mJetta GLI 4.75 mCheaper by —

Ground clearance

Sonata N Line ✓ 14 cmJetta GLI 13 cmCheaper by —

Resale % after 6 yrs

Sonata N Line 44%Jetta GLI ✓ 49%Cheaper by —

US crash test

Sonata N Line 5★Jetta GLI 5★Cheaper by —

✓ marks the better figure. Resale is from used prices: the Sonata from its own, the Jetta GLI typical for its type and brand. Their stickers differ by $5,304.