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Used 2021 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Consumer Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
35 reviews

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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Jetta GLI, so we've included reviews for other years of the Jetta GLI since its last redesign.

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Pros
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5 out of 5 stars

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.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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3 out of 5 stars

Worth every discounted penny! - Update: grrr!

JLW, 06/03/2020
updated 06/10/2021
2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
21 of 23 people found this review helpful

It's hard to write a brief review of a car that has so much to offer! I bought a leftover 2019 model in March to replace an expired lease vehicle to serve as my second car (work commuter). The discount was absolutely absurd (roughly 21k out the door), which made it hard to pass up. I was looking for something relatively inexpensive that got decent gas mileage, was practical, and didn't have the driving dynamics of a horse drawn carriage. This car has completely blown through those requirements. My daily drive is roughly 30 miles through a mix of two lane country roads and four lane town highways. If I am responsible, I average around 39 mpg. Even with a heavy foot I seldom see that number dip below 33 - which is a good thing given how much fun this car can be to drive in a lively fashion. The 2.0 turbo has more than enough power to make this car way more entertaining than a family hauler should have any right to be. The six speed manual is a joy to row through the gears, and the clutch provides just enough resistance to give decent feedback. Steering is crisp and spot on, and the suspension is more than up to the task of balancing sport/comfort duties. The short list of complaints has more to do with the fact I got the base "S" model than being a shortcoming of the car. There is no Sirius XM or CD player in the base model, and the sound system is extremely anemic. Those issues can be addressed by shelling out a few more dollars for the Autobahn version - but that impacts the value proposition. Aside from that, the seats could be a little more supportive, the interior plastic trim is a little cheap, and there can be a bit of road noise depending upon the quality of the highway surface. That's it - no other complaints! If you are in the market for a reasonably priced sport sedan, you owe it to yourself to at least test drive a GLI. It has a mature appearance, gets great gas mileage, serves as a practical family hauler when needed, accelerates way above its weight class, and is an overall hoot to drive. Keep an eye out for factory/dealer incentives and you can get a real steal on this car. This is my first experience with Volkswagen, but if the first 4000 miles in this car are any indication of the future I will be a returning customer when the time comes for the next replacement. UPDATE: I have had the car now for 15 months and 13k miles. It is still a blast to drive and getting great gas mileage, but has been in the shop for a total of 7 weeks for recurring P2402 fault codes and a fuel leak at the evap canister. The work was covered under warranty, but extremely aggravating to repeatedly have the same problem. A couple other issues have arisen that the warranty did not cover: the "GLI" badge on the front grille fell off, and the lip spoiler on the trunk lid cracked completely through perpendicularly. It has been nearly three weeks since the last fuel leak/P2402 repairs without a check engine light - the longest it has gone in 6 months. If it weren't for the absolutely joyful driving dynamics of this car, I would have explored the legal avenues of returning the vehicle to VWoA. Assuming there are no further issues (fingers crossed), I will gladly continue driving this car for the next several years as; recent issues aside, it still does a better job of checking the previously identified "wants" than anything else on the market. Unfortunately, I will plan to trade this in prior to the expiration of the warranty. There is just enough concern with reliability that I can't make a solid business case to keep this once I am on the hook for all repairs. I don't know that I would warn anyone away from purchasing or leasing a VW, but I certainly wouldn't provide unsolicited recommendations, either. It's a shame, really - since I had such great expectations after the first several months. Take the review for what it's worth?

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

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.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

This car kicks ass

VW owner, 05/30/2021
2021 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful

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.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

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!

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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