2024 Volkswagen Jetta GLI

How does the Jetta GLI drive? The GLI is heavier and less powerful than VW's GTI, as well as sedans like the Hyundai Elantra N, Subaru WRX and Honda Civic Si. The GLI's 0-60 mph time of 7.1 seconds sits near the bottom of the class, too, and that's with the quick-shifting dual-clutch automatic. Manual-equipped models will be even slower. The transmission can be lazy to downshift to pass on the street or highway. We used the shift paddles more than usual. Braking is not up to the standards set by some of the class leaders. The brake pedal required more effort than we would like and the brakes faded more quickly compared to the systems on other sport sedans.

One of the main causes for poor braking figures is the standard all-season tires. These tires hurt handling and steering too. Neither is bad. The steering is quick and weighted well, but it lacks feedback. The standard adaptive dampers do an effective job of controlling body roll, but the tires give up before the chassis reaches its limit. They simply don't have the grip of summer tires, even with the standard electronic limited-slip differential managing traction.

How comfortable is the Jetta GLI? The GLI is one of the more refined sport compacts on the market. Its adaptive dampers do a lot of the work here. There's a distinct difference between the Sport and Comfort suspension, though even the stiffest setting won't break your back. The well-padded seats help too. There's not a lot of adjustment, but they provide plenty of lateral support. They have a sporty shape that doesn't feel too confining. The GLI is quiet on the road, with only a mild amount of wind noise on the highway. The exhaust has a bit of a growl, but it doesn't roar as loudly as other compacts.

The climate control system is fairly straightforward, with dedicated buttons and knobs for temperature, fan adjustment and more. The controls are mounted a bit low on the center stack, but they're still easy to reach. The standard heated and cooled seats work well, and the automatic climate control operates quickly and evenly without being overly loud. Unfortunately, the GLI doesn't have vents for rear occupants, a bit of an oversight in a modern sedan.

How’s the interior? Despite the label, you really shouldn't think of the GLI as a compact car. There's room inside for adults to be satisfied in both rows. The rear offers sufficient headroom and legroom, at least in the outboard positions; the center seat is best for smaller occupants only. The seats themselves are comfortable too. The front is well padded and supportive, with sporty thigh and back bolstering that holds you in place without feeling too confining. The rear isn't quite as soft, but it's angled well and has some moderate bolstering. The driving position feels comfortable but sporty, with the seat and steering wheel offering an adequate degree of adjustment.

The driving position affords functional outward visibility. The mirrors are large, and the upright windows help reduce blind spots. The GLI uses Volkswagen's older infotainment system. It's fairly straightforward and easy to navigate, with clear labels and intuitive menus.

How’s the storage? While it's not quite as cleverly designed as the Honda Civic, the Jetta GLI offers cargo space and interior storage that's on par with most sedans in this class. Its 14.1 cubic feet of trunk space is only slightly less than the Honda Civic Si and Hyundai Elantra N offer. The trunk is relatively wide and deep, though we wish the trunk arms didn't impede so much into the cargo area. If you need more space, the rear seats fold down in a 60/40 split. In the cabin, you'll find functional door pockets that are large enough to hold more than just a water bottle. The wireless charging pad is located in front of the shifter and can be used for sunglasses or other small items.

Is the Jetta GLI a good value? The Jetta GLI's starting price is comparable to most of its rivals and in general we think you get a lot for your money. It's not the most powerful model at this price, but it's one of the best equipped. Volkswagen includes a four-year/50,000-mile basic and powertrain warranty for the GLI. That's about average for this class. The automaker also includes three years/36,000 miles of roadside assistance and two years/24,000 miles of scheduled maintenance.

The GLI has a handful of design changes that help set it apart from the standard Volkswagen Jetta. The front and rear bumpers feature a sportier design with larger intakes. There are red accents across both the inside and outside of the car, a theme shared with the Volkswagen GTI. The wheels are larger, and the side panels have some extra bodywork that helps it look even closer to the ground. The problem is that it still doesn't look all that different from the base Jetta. That's cool if you want a sleeper, but it doesn't feel all that special.

The somewhat reserved personality would be easier to swallow if the GLI was a bit more fun to drive. It's quick and handles well, but so does everything in this class. It's simply not as quick and doesn't handle quite as well as its rivals. Better tires will help, but it won't be enough to drastically change the fun factor.