The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is a worthwhile upgrade over the regular Jetta. It's comfortable and spacious while also being sporty and quick. Its performance isn't as sharp or as exciting as what you get from rival sport compacts, however.Read full review
New interior design, including standard 8-inch infotainment screen
Part of the seventh Jetta generation introduced for 2019
Overview
by the Edmunds Experts
10/2/2024
Volkswagen's Jetta GLI is the dark horse of the sport compact segment. It's flown under the radar for years as the performance version of the Jetta, offering more power and better handling than the more pedestrian Jetta trims. And after a revision for 2025 that includes a new interior and new front and rear fascias, that still remains true. We like that the GLI continues to offer a six-speed manual transmission, which is a sign that VW is targeting driving enthusiasts with this model. Still, it distinctly lacks performance relative to the key players in the segment.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.51 per gallon for premium unleaded in Tennessee.
With new exterior styling, new wheel designs and a freshened interior, the Jetta GLI is improved for 2025, but we're puzzled by some obvious misses. First, as a performance model, the GLI should offer the option of summer tires, which would vastly improve its handling and up its driver engagement to be competitive with other cars in the segment. Otherwise, this is largely the same Jetta GLI as before, but with a new look.
Competitors to consider
Other sport compact sedans include the Hyundai Elantra N, which boasts 48 more horsepower than the GLI, and the Subaru WRX, which has a similar power advantage and adds all-wheel drive. Even the less powerful Honda Civic Si offers the option of summer performance tires to allow its chassis to match its (modest) powertrain performance.
Edmunds Expert Rating
edmunds TESTED
by the Edmunds Experts
Good
7.7
out of 10
We drove the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Performance
7/10
How does the Jetta GLI drive? The GLI is heavier and less powerful than sedans like the Hyundai Elantra N and Subaru WRX. The GLI we tested had the quick-shifting dual-clutch automatic transmission. It accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds, which sits near the bottom of the class. 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.
Comfort
8.5/10
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.
Interior
8/10
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.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Save as much as $2,763 with Edmunds Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $2,763 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the Autobahn trim.
2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI pricing in Maryville, TN
How’s the tech? The Jetta GLI comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen plus wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There's a wireless charging pad and three USB-C ports in the car, though none are located conveniently for rear passengers. All GLIs come with a Beats audio system. It sounds crisp and produces good bass. It's one of the better ones you can get in a compact car these days.
Storage
8/10
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.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Fuel Economy
8.5/10
How’s the fuel economy? The GLI has an EPA-estimated fuel economy estimate of 29 mpg combined with the either manual or automatic transmission. That's as good as or better than nearly every rival. Even better, we saw an impressive 33.4 mpg with the automatic on our real-world evaluation route, so we feel confident the GLI will hit its numbers.
Value
8/10
Is the Jetta GLI a good value? The Jetta GLI starts off priced comparably 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.
Wildcard
7/10
The GLI has a handful of design changes that help set it apart from the standard Volkswagen Jetta. 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.
Which Jetta GLI does Edmunds recommend?
The Jetta GLI is available in only a single fully loaded trim called the Autobahn. It's packed with features like heated ventilated front seats, a limited-slip differential and performance-oriented suspension and brakes. An available Black package adds revised black wheels and trim.
2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
I love my new gli autobahn it's fun to drive and also great on gas I avg 40mpg in eco mode and when I want to have a little fun sport mode gives the car that extra power
Phenomenal!!!
5 out of 5 stars
MrNord, 05/12/2020
2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
Something like this only comes around in the industry once every few years. VW nailed it with the new GLI. The fun factor is off the charts, especially in this price range. They struck a perfect balance between sporty and luxury, practical and exciting. Except for adding vents and a couple of USB ports in the rear seat area there isn’t anything I would change about this vehicle. If … you are in the market for a sporty sedan do yourself a favor and check out the VW GLI.
Update: Over 2 years in and I still love this vehicle! Not a single problem and still drives as nice as the day I bought it.
All the Tech You need & Fun to Drive
5 out of 5 stars
JTT, 05/13/2020
2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
Alot of reviews say the interior is and tech is behind but that is incorrect. The 2020 Autobahn gives you plenty of it tech you need in a performance sedan and unlike the others in the segment there are ZERO rattles on the interior and cabin is silent down highway. It is what made me choose the GLI over over all the others I test drove.
This car kicks ass
5 out of 5 stars
VW owner, 05/30/2021
2021 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
Just bought a Jetta GLI Autobahn and absolutely love it. The car is a firecracker with plenty of pep and great handling. I read about a substandard interior and that is simply not the case. Not sure how you much better in this price range. Great car.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, so we've included reviews for other years of the Jetta GLI since its last redesign.
The current Volkswagen Jetta has been on sale since 2019. and after six years, most automakers would debut a brand-new model to keep up with competitors. But with interest in traditional cars waning relative to that of SUVs, some manufacturers are introducing a second wave of updates to a vehicle line in lieu of a full redesign. That's certainly the case with the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, which comes with new bumper and grille designs, plus new front and rear light bars. The result is an exterior that looks more traditional, but it's also less ungainly. And the red mustache is a playful little touch besides. It might not have the new car smell of recently redesigned rivals like the Honda Civic or Kia K4, but the enhancements attempt to keep the Jetta from feeling stale.
What's under the Jetta GLI's hood?
The Jetta soldiers on without any meaningful changes under the hood. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as we think the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder is peppy enough. It's not going to dust a Subaru WRX off the line, but the 0-60 mph time of 7.1 seconds is respectable and nearly a second quicker than the like-minded Civic Si.
Notably, fans of row-your-own gearboxes can still spec the six-speed manual — or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic — making it the only Volkswagen with an available manual. (The MT is sacrificed for the 2025 refresh of the Golf GTI and Golf R.)
How's the Jetta GLI's interior?
The 2025 changes are apparent from the moment you step into the cabin. The 8-inch touchscreen remains, but it now sports a floating design, rather than the integrated look of last year's Jetta. The knobs and buttons for the climate controls are replaced by a capacitive touch panel. While we don't love the approach, it's more usable than some other VW applications. It has grooves to help place your fingers without looking at the panel and backlighting for easy nighttime operation.
Edmunds says
Although the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI's updated exterior is conservative in this refresh, we think the overall design is cleaner and more effective.
FAQ
Is the Volkswagen Jetta GLI a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2025 Jetta GLI both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.7 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2025 Jetta GLI gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 38 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Jetta GLI has 14.1 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Volkswagen Jetta GLI. Learn more
What's new in the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI:
Revised front fascia and rear bumper styling
New interior design, including standard 8-inch infotainment screen
Part of the seventh Jetta generation introduced for 2019
To determine whether the Volkswagen Jetta GLI is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Jetta GLI. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Jetta GLI's 5-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2025 Jetta GLI and gave it a 7.7 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2025 Jetta GLI gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 38 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2025 Jetta GLI is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI?
The least-expensive 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $32,715.
Other versions include:
Autobahn 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) which starts at $32,715
Autobahn 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) which starts at $32,715
What are the different models of Volkswagen Jetta GLI?
If you're interested in the Volkswagen Jetta GLI, the next question is, which Jetta GLI model is right for you? Jetta GLI variants include Autobahn 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M), and Autobahn 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM). For a full list of Jetta GLI models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
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Edmunds says