2021 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Review

Name: 2021 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Review
Brand: Volkswagen

Price Range: $19,590 - $25,590

2021 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn Sedan Exterior

+149

The Jetta GLI is a worthwhile entry into the affordable sport sedan arena. VW has done an excellent job building a sporty vehicle that's satisfying and engaging to drive yet exceptionally comfortable and quite practical. The downsides are that it doesn't come standard with the technology features of most competitors, and fuel economy suffers for performance.

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2021 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Review

byReese Counts^{Vehicle Test Editor
Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at Edmunds in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.}

Pros

Quick acceleration and strong braking performance
Tidy and controlled handling for a small sedan
Smooth ride
Plenty of interior storage

Cons

Cabin feels a bit plasticky compared to others in the class
Lackluster base infotainment system

What's new

New MIB3 infotainment system standard on Autobahn trim
Adaptive cruise control and other driver safety aids standard on Autobahn
Part of the seventh Jetta GLI generation introduced for 2019

Overview

Like VW's GTI hatchback, the 2021 Jetta GLI offers a great combination of performance and practicality at a relatively affordable price. Compared to a regular Jetta, you get a more powerful turbocharged engine, the choice of a manual or a dual-clutch automatic transmission, and a sport-tuned suspension. The GLI is a fun and quick small sedan, but it's also comfortable and easy to drive.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta GLI S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) 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 $3.77 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$168/mo

$155/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

There are a few other small performance sedans around for 2021. A mainstay of the class, the Honda Civic Si, has been discontinued for 2021, but Hyundai has come out with a dramatically improved 2021 Elantra that's pretty compelling in its 201-horsepower N Line or 275-hp N guise. There's also the Mazda 3 sedan, which has a new 250-hp turbocharged engine on tap for this year. Should you get the Jetta GLI? Read our Expert Rating to get our in-depth take and help inform your buying decision.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{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.}

Good

8.0

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

8.5/10

How does the Jetta GLI drive? This is an impressive car for daily driving. There's a little delay in power delivery as the engine gets up to speed, but it pulls with satisfying grunt from about 2,700 rpm. We tested the GLI with the manual transmission, and it covered 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds. That's a bit quicker than the Honda Civic Si. There is noticeable rev hang between shifts, however, which saps some of the fun from sporty driving.

The GLI's handling and steering shine and make the car fun to drive around turns. The torque-vectoring front differential helps pull the car through turns with almost uncanny grip. The steering is naturally weighted, and there's a bit of feedback from the road.

Comfort

8.5/10

How comfortable is the Jetta GLI? Perhaps the most surprising feature of the GLI is its ride, which is exceptionally smooth for a sporty small sedan. The cloth seats are comfortable and supportive, although the front seats don't have quite as much side bolstering as we'd like.

There's some wind noise from the roof pillars at freeway speed and some road noise when driving over bumps. But on the whole, the car is pleasantly quiet for a sporty sedan. The climate control system is easy to use and regulates the cabin temp well, though the center vents are placed a little too low for our tastes.

Interior

8/10

How’s the interior? There's lots of seat adjustability and steering-wheel telescoping range, although the low-hanging column may interfere with some drivers' knees. The GLI's manual shifter is well placed except that the cupholders are directly aft, which is an issue if you have tall drinks. Otherwise, the controls are generally well marked and easy to find.

Interior space is excellent with enough rear-seat head- and legroom for adults, although the deep-set rear outboard seats require a bit of effort to get out of. As for visibility, the GLI's high rear trunk deck creates rear visibility issues, and the side mirrors are small.

Technology

6.5/10

How’s the tech? The base touchscreen system, which is what we tested, is simple and easy to use. The large physical button shortcuts are useful for switching between functions and menus. But it's a relatively limited system, lacking even native voice controls. Fortunately, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration is standard and works well enough. You can also get the upgraded 8-inch touchscreen on the Autobahn trim.

Blind-spot monitoring works well, but the backup camera display is grainy and unsophisticated.

Storage

8/10

How’s the storage? By the numbers, the Jetta's 14.1-cubic-foot trunk falls in the middle of the pack. But in practice it's sufficiently accommodating, with a large, flat load floor and generous trunk opening. The trunklid has a tendency to fall closed if not opened securely all the way. The folding seats create a nice, wide pass-through.

The door pockets on all four doors are quite large, and there's a good-size tray in front of the shifter. The cupholders will accommodate larger containers. The console box under the center armrest isn't as big as some others, and some competitors have more options to organize your small items, but there's plenty of room around the Jetta's cabin for your things.

Fuel Economy

6.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? In today's class of small performance cars, the GLI is below average for fuel economy. The EPA estimates the GLI gets 28 mpg combined with either transmission, but we never came close to achieving that in our time with the car. Driving it the way it wants to be driven incurs serious mileage penalties.

Value

7.5/10

Is the Jetta GLI a good value? Stacked up against similar small, sporty mainstream sedans, the GLI is an interesting proposition. In routine driving, it feels like a more refined vehicle, and it offers a lot of practicality. It's solidly put together, even if the materials quality is just typical for the class. Unfortunately, the price gets high if you want extra features that some competitors offer for less, though the highest trim has cool extras no one else offers in this class.

Wildcard

9/10

We're fans of the GLI. It's a refined and comfortable daily driver with plenty of turbocharged punch and a satisfying manual transmission. It irons out potholes at a near luxury level and is engaging in the turns. Sure, it's a bit more Dr. Jekyll than Mr. Hyde, with a few foibles that keep it from greatness when it's really pushed, but we wouldn't trade its daily driver strengths for more edge.

Which Jetta GLI does Edmunds recommend?

Of the two trims, we suggest going with the Autobahn. Yes, the base S trim offers the same level of performance, but part of the Jetta GLI's appeal is its day-to-day usability. The Autobahn comes with way more features, and, for 2021, that includes a set of standard driver aids such as adaptive cruise control. If you live in warmer climates, we also suggest opting for the no-cost summer performance tires since they noticeably enhance the car's braking and handling performance.

2021 Volkswagen Jetta GLI models

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is available in just two trim levels: S and Autobahn. Both come with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. It's paired to either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (Volkswagen calls it DSG) that sends power to the front wheels. Feature highlights include:

S
Comes fairly well equipped with:

18-inch alloy wheels (standard all-season or optional summer tires)
Performance brakes
Limited-slip differential for improved traction
Leather-wrapped steering wheel (includes shift paddles with DSG transmission)
Cloth upholstery
Manually adjustable sport seats
Heated front seats
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Keyless entry with push-button start
Rain-sensing wipers
6.5-inch touchscreen display
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
Two USB ports
Six-speaker audio system
Forward collision warning with automatic braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)

Autobahn
The top-level Autobahn trim builds off the base trim. Performance remains the same, but you get additional features including:

Adaptive suspension for improved ride and handling
Panoramic sunroof
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Leather upholstery
Ventilated front seats
Remote start (DSG only)
8-inch touchscreen display with Volkswagen's latest infotainment system
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Wireless charging pad
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Volkswagen and the car in front)
Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
Automatic high beams

The Autobahn is available with two options:

Summer tires
Black package

Black 18-inch wheels
Black mirror caps, roof and spoiler

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Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Volkswagen Jetta GLI.

5 (74%)

4 (11%)

3 (9%)

2 (2%)

1 (4%)

4.5

35 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Fun little VW

Vwarkie, 08/28/2019

2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 35th Anniversary Edition 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

I bought this as a 2nd family car in case I need to haul my 3 kids. It has plenty of room for them. I'm 6'2 and I can fit in the backseat without rubbing my head on the roof. I like it because of the fun factor. It handles great and has plenty of power to get you in and out of traffic. The acceleration isn't bad. Cabin noise is minimal but you do notice when you're going around 60 with … the radio off. The interior is not bad but it could be better. It is a bit plasticky. The instrument cluster is kind of bland. If you can afford it get the autobahn edition, it has the virtual cockpit. I got the 35th anniversary edition because of the transmission. I do like the android auto and the voice control commands. One thing I have against it is the front seat isn't that comfortable. Not sure I would want to take a long trip in it. The ride quality is pretty good, better than the mustang I had. I use premium non-ethanol gas and I'm averaging 28 mpg which is mostly in town. Took it on a 2 hour trip, all interstate and was averaging 38 mpg in comfort mode. One big selling point was the 6 year/72,000 mile warranty and oil changes every 10k miles or once per year whichever comes first. Anyway, if you're a good negotiator you can get a new one for 24k, maybe less. Test drive a few of the competitors. If you want to drive what everyone else does get a Honda or Toyota but if you want to stand out get the Jetta GLI. Update 5/14/20 - As of this post, I've had the car 9 months. I've put 5400 miles on it. No problems to report. Just had an oil change. I did notice the oil was about a quart low before I took it in. This is normal for new engines as they tend to burn a little oil when they're being broken in. Anyway, the car is still fine. The handling is nice, acceleration is good, infotainment is great when paired with android auto. One major concern, for me at least, is the resale value. Not much I can do about that. Also, just want to add that I typically drive less than 9k miles per year. I use the car for short commutes, errands and the occasional trip out of town. Would I buy the car again? Probably not. I don't hate the car but I'm not in love with it either. Hindsight is 20/20 and no one can predict the future. With this pandemic going on and working from home, I would have just kept my old car. Trading the car in now makes little financial sense as I would lose $5k or $6k. And since we're not driving much, there's no point in getting something else. 10/12/20 - I've had the car for over a year now and it has 6800 miles on it. Nothing new to report really. Car is still running great. Occasionally I've had people compliment the car and ask questions, which is kinda surprising. It's not a bad looking ride, I think the roof could be a little more sloped in the back to give it a more sporty look. Anyway, I'll probably keep the car until the warranty runs out lol 4/22/2022 - well I've had the car for almost 3 years now. Really nothing new to report. Car has slightly more than 10k miles and all that has been done is basic maintenance like oil changes and they did clean the heads. These direct injection motors get carbon build up but it wasn't expensive. Around $70 at the dealership. Car still runs and drives like new.

My everyday driving obsession

Cliff in Nashville, 12/06/2019

2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

I love this car. I've been driving it for 4 months now, and I still get that new car buzz when I take off. Roomy (for a small sedan) and uncluttered cabin with nice tech touches. Sporty and nimble as hell performance. Quick acceleration and smooth ride, even at higher speeds. Almost a GTI in those regards. Looks like a serious, sophisticated sedan in the European tradition, but with just …

Sporty comfortable everyday driver

Derek, 11/08/2019

2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 35th Anniversary Edition 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

Easy to live with, good mpg, suspension DCC upgrade from Audi gives you a range of different driving modes that dramatically change from comfort to sport mode. Design inside and out is very minimalist but also gorgeous lines mistaking people that take it for an Audi. New generation has more leg room in the front and back seat than previous generation. Has great safety and entertainment …

Worth every discounted penny! - Update: grrr!

JLW, 06/03/2020

2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

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?

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

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2021 Jetta GLI Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$26,345
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$168/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	14.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Jetta GLI models:

Blind-Spot Warning System: Alerts you with visual and audible warnings if another vehicle is in your blind spot.
Post-Collision Braking System: Applies the brakes once the airbags go off to reduce the possibility of further damage during an accident.
Forward Collision Warning: Sounds an alert when a front collision is imminent and can automatically apply the brakes if the driver doesn't react in time.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover13.1%

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2021 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Review

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2021 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta GLI S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) 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 $3.77 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Jetta GLI does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Volkswagen Jetta GLI models

Most helpful consumer reviews

Fun little VW

My everyday driving obsession

Sporty comfortable everyday driver

Worth every discounted penny! - Update: grrr!

2021 Jetta GLI Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta GLI S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) 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 $3.77 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}