Used 2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2020 Jetta GLI, so we've included reviews for other years of the Jetta GLI since its last redesign.
Good all round value, yet fun to drive
P. Smith, 10/03/2019
2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
29 of 31 people found this review helpful
At 25-29k this vehicle serves as an affordable and responsible family car that can also serve as a sporty daily driver. All new for 2019 on a better chassis, better suspension and handling hardware, upgraded disk brakes, and increased horse power and torque in the 2.0 turbo, this Jetta GLI S, has just the right amount of everything for the price; passenger space, cargo capacity, horse power, manuvering, MPGs. I opted for the 6 speed manual and am enjoying it with better than reported MPGs. This vehicle has a satisfying, yet not overwhelming amount of tech and safety features. My GLI S base model has cloth seats and frankly after two leather seat vehicles, I dont miss the leather or sport bolsters as with these cloth seats I don't slide on the curvy mountain our roads I commute daily. Many reviews complain about some harder plastic surfaces, but I see an elegant, just enough interior design with a classy VW look to it, that will be easy to maintain. The trunk shelf is too reflective and shows in rear window sometimes however. When comparing this with other cars one has to be careful that the comparisons are fair by remembering the price, it's tempting to compare it to mid sized sedans or luxury cars because it offers as much in many ways. I need a car that can excellerate well uphill to merge onto mountain interstates this GLI does it well. The steering and handling are nice and crisp and can be tweaked with several drive modes including a user defined custom setting. Not a gutless wonder by any means however with proper technique this car can be responsibly green (or blue), and includes a feedback display to help increase/optimize MPGs, a nice feature in a car that can carry five comfortably with luggage. The Cargo Mat system is wonderful. My 2011 Tiguan has it and so does this GLI. My groceries don't get flung about and take home boxes arrive home well. Flower pots and arrangements as well as tool boxes and such are all orderly passengers with the cargo mat and dividers. The exterior styling to my eyes is a bit more mature and sophisticated than the competition, many of which appear to be marketed to teenagers, yet at the same time the styling is modern and assertive. This is especially apparent in the hood and grills as well as the lines that make their way to the rear. The LED head lamps are wonderful. If you want even more look at the middle and upper trim levels which offer many more luxuries for not much more cost making then great values as well.
Phenomenal!!!
MrNord, 05/12/2020
updated 05/16/2022
2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
23 of 25 people found this review helpful
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.
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All the Tech You need & Fun to Drive
JTT, 05/13/2020
2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
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.
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Better than expected
JohnnyK, 05/06/2020
2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
11 of 13 people found this review helpful
Love my GLI! Glad VW still offer cars with a stick. Not only is comfortable to drive it’s fun to drive. With the turbo it’s got Way more power than I expected, fun when it kicks in. 33mpg rated on the highway is a huge understatement! I’m getting closer to 38. So much fun to drive!
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Fun, but awful quality
ADMS - Louisville, KY, 06/19/2023
2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
9 of 11 people found this review helpful
Listen...I know I got a lemon. VW had to take it back as part of a settlement. But in 19,000 miles, it went into the VW shop over a dozen times. Multiple wiper failures, infotainment failures, interior trim falling off or breaking loose, violent idling - it was at the point when Google Maps fired up after work, it gave me the choice of Home or the VW dealer! That's how often my car was there. I had the base S trim, but the Autobahn trim wouldn't have changed the score too much - it would have given me more things that would have broken. The negatives are correct - the interior trim, especially on the doors and parts of the dash is just hollow, hard, easy to scratch plastic that wouldn't be used on a kid's toy. The base stereo should have been rejected years ago. Android Auto linking up was a 50/50 shot. The standard all-season tires were lousy in fun driving and downright scary in snow and rain. And the quality issues that others have written about would have me hitting pause on another VW. The the positives are true as well. This is a very roomy and comfortable car. Four adults will fit without feeling cramped. Plenty of storage space in the interior. Very easy to use controls and infotainment system. Excellent fuel economy - I was seeing over 40mpg on long highway drives. The DSG is one of the better dual clutch transmissions out there with none of the lurching and bogging in traffic that other DCTs have. It's quick and comfortable, and has its own sense of style in a very conservative suit. The Pure Gray optional paint color was very sharp as well. But I just can't get past the quality issues. I had so many loaners and service trips and repairs fail on me hours after picking up the car from the last failure. If you're interested in this model, especially a used one, really have someone look it over carefully to make sure there are no gremlins waiting for you down the road.
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