2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI
In 2025, the Volkswagen would have been sold in the U.S.A. for 45 years.
Over that time, it became the brand’s most popular vehicle. The formula was simple: Take the Rabbit/Golf and give it a trunk. After all, Americans love sedans at that time.
Even though we moved on to SUVs, we still have a fondness for the sedan. That is why Volkswagen continues to sell the Jetta here. More importantly, they offer the GLI model to the enthusiasts who rather have a trunk than the Golf GTI’s hatchback.
Our timing was right as Volkswagen updated their Jetta lineup for 2025. It now features an updated look outside and inside. What better way to re-acquaint us with the Jetta through its hottest model.
For 2025, the front clip receives the latest Volkswagen design by giving the front end two air intake into the engine compartment – a narrow one above the bumper crease and a larger one below it. Following the design set by the latest Golf GTI and Golf R, the Jetta appears sleeker and cleaner.
The new LED taillight unit now stretches across the trunk lid. It gives it a more upmarket feel than before. The rest of the Jetta’s exterior design is unchanged, but it is enhanced by the new front and rear elements.
Basically, the Jetta GLI offers a few distinctions from other Jetta trim levels. A new red trim is found across the lower fascia. Our GLI Autobahn model added the Black Package, including a set of 18-inch gloss black-finished alloy wheels to finish the Jetta GLI’s overall look.
The same theme continues inside of the Jetta GLI. Red accents make everything else pop – including the Digital Cockpit instrumentation screen. The eight-inch infotainment screen now resides in a tablet-like housing with tactile controls on each side. The climate control and steering wheel controls are of a semi-haptic soft touch.
The Jetta GLI greets you two two-tone leather sports seats. The bolstering is deep up front. Rear seat room is the same as on normal Jetta models with plenty of leg room, but some headroom for six-footers. Trunk space is a generous 14.1 cubic feet.
Under the Jetta GLI’s hood is the 228-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine also offers 258 pound-feet of torque. Our tester has this engine connected to the seven-speed DSG dual clutch gearbox, ultimately driving the front wheels.
Performance is best described as “fun.” The engine revs up nicely and is very quick. The DSG transmission shifts smoothly in Normal and Comfort model, while it will rev up accordingly in Sport mode. In terms of fuel economy, we observed an average of 27.1 MPG.
Our tester is equipped with the DCC active chassis control system. A button on the console opens up a screen on the infotainment system letting you select from four modes.
Driving dynamics have been the hallmark of the Jetta GLI. We experienced a solid ride in Normal and Comfort modes, switching to a firmer feel in Sport mode. The GLI also gave us very good cornering and quick response to evasive maneuvers. In Sport mode, these settings get some sharpening up where corners seem to get carved.
As for the brakes, stopping power is pretty good with great pedal feel and solid response to the wheels. The steering system is also very good giving us solid turns and a quick response. Putting the DCC into Sport does weigh down the steering wheel slightly for better control.
The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI only comes in the Autobahn trim, starting at $32,715. Our tester with the DSG transmission came with a sticker price of $34,590.
The Jetta GLI is a unique proposition as a performance-oriented compact sedan. Customers usually just buy a Jetta GLI without shopping for anything else. However, it has a bit of competition from the likes of the Honda Civic Si, Toyota Corolla XSE, Mazda3, Subaru WRX, Hyundai Elantra N-Line, and Kia Forte GT.
With a revised look, the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI still delivers on the experience you expect from this leader among compact performance sedans. It still feels like something you want to run on a twisty road, just before you head to the grocery store. That is what it will do for you.
Credits: CarSoup Editors
