2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Review

Name: 2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI
Brand: Volkswagen

Price Range: $24,998 - $28,590

Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn Sedan Exterior

Good

7.7

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

There's still a lot to like about the 2022 Jetta GLI. It's comfortable and spacious and includes plenty of standard creature comforts, in-car tech and driver aids. But if you're hoping the GLI would simply be a Golf GTI with a trunk rather than a hatch, you'll likely be disappointed. While it's still sporty and quick, it's not quite as nimble, capable or, frankly, as entertaining to drive as other compact performance

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Average price: $31,420

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Volkswagen Jetta GLI model years

Volkswagen Jetta GLI for Sale

Pros

Turbocharged engine is pretty efficient
Excellent ride comfort for a small sedan
Comfortable front seats
Plenty of interior storage

Cons

Cabin feels a bit plasticky compared to others in the class
Slower and less entertaining than most competitors
Doesn't look or feel very special

What's new

Updated exterior styling
Base S trim is removed, leaving just the Autobahn trim
Part of the seventh Jetta generation introduced for 2019

Overview

Written by automotive expert Michael Cantu

8/29/2022

The Jetta GLI is the spiced-up version of the regular Jetta sedan. In many ways, it's a Golf GTI with a trunk. Performance upgrades over the regular Jetta include a more powerful turbocharged engine, a sport-tuned adaptive suspension, a limited-slip differential and larger brakes. The GLI also comes equipped with multi-link rear suspension in place of the regular Jetta's torsion-beam setup. If you're the type who doesn't want to drive a regular compact sedan and prefers something that's more capable, packs extra power and is sporty-looking, the GLI is a solid choice.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

128 listings

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2023 Volkswagen Jetta GLI
Autobahn Sedan
$22,850
good price
$1,843 below market
- 50,474 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 26 City / 36 Hwy MPG
- Heritage Volkswagen Catonsville (42 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Baltimore, MD
Discover the exhilarating 2023 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 2.0T Autobahn, a true driver's delight that seamlessly blends performance, style, and advanced tec...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
30 Combined MPG (26 City/36 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 3VW2T7BU3PM024628
Stock: 8024628
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 03-07-2026
2021 Volkswagen Jetta GLI
Autobahn Sedan
$21,995
good price
$1,057 below market
- 40,089 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use
- 24 City / 33 Hwy MPG, Manual
- InTouch Auto Outlet (55 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA
*** 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION AUTOBAHN, CLEAN CARFAX REPORT *** A/C Seat(s) ABS Brakes Air Conditioning Alloy Wheels AM/FM Stereo Android Auto Apple...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
28 Combined MPG (24 City/33 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 3VW5T7BU6MM013549
Stock: A6012
Certified Pre-Owned: No

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Like the regular Jetta, the GLI was refreshed for the 2022 model year. It received revised exterior styling (new grille and front and rear bumpers) and is now only offered in the fully loaded Autobahn trim. (The base S trim was discontinued.) That means standard features now include a full suite of advanced driver aids, leather upholstery, sport-tuned adaptive suspension, and heated and ventilated front sport seats. The GLI's engine carries over unchanged.

We liked the Jetta GLI before its refresh, and now that it comes standard with more features and advanced driver aids, it's even better. But keep in mind there are similarly impressive compact fun machines to consider with lower starting prices. Check out the Subaru WRX if you want grippy all-wheel-drive traction, and if you prefer something more affordable, there is the Hyundai Elantra N Line. And you can't forget about the highly rated Honda Civic Si, which just received a complete redesign for 2022. Check out the Edmunds Expert Rating below to get our test team's full review of the Jetta GLI.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Reese Counts

Good

7.7

out of 10

We drove the 2022 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.

Performance

7/10

How does the Jetta GLI drive? The GLI is heavier and less powerful than VW's GTI, as well as sedans like the Hyundai Elantra N, Subaru WRX and Honda Civic Si. The GLI's 0-60 mph time of 7.1 seconds sits near the bottom of the class, too, and that's with the quick-shifting dual-clutch automatic. Manual-equipped models will be even slower. 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 faded more quickly than 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 ton 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. The GLI uses Volkswagen's older infotainment system. It's fairly straightforward and easy to navigate, with clear labels and intuitive menus.

Technology

7.5/10

How’s the tech? The Jetta GLI uses an older version of Volkswagen's infotainment and navigation system, but there's still a lot to like. The map is smaller and lower-resolution than some rivals, but it gets the job done. And if you don't like the built-in navigation, the GLI comes standard with wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, something not all rivals can claim. There's a wireless charging pad and three USB-C ports in the car, but none are located conveniently for rear passengers. We occasionally had some audio issues with CarPlay, though the issue was intermittent. All GLIs come with a Beats audio system, and we think it's one of the better ones you can get in a compact car these days.

The GLI also comes standard with a number of driver aids, including adaptive cruise control and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning. What's here works well (though the capacitive-touch steering wheel controls aren't as good as real buttons), and it's nice to have both a manual transmission and adaptive cruise control.

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.

Fuel Economy

8.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The GLI has an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 30 mpg combined (26 city/37 highway) with the manual transmission and 30 mpg combined (26 city/36 highway) with the dual-clutch transmission. That's as good as or better than nearly every rival. Even better, we saw an impressive 33.4 mpg with the dual-clutch transmission on our 115-mile 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 in the low $30,000s when equipped with a manual transmission; opting for the dual-clutch automatic raises the price by a few hundred dollars. That's a higher base price than most of its rivals, but the GLI only comes in a single, well-equipped trim level with all the bells and whistles, so you do get a lot for your money. Everything from leather upholstery to the adaptive suspension is standard equipment. 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 front and rear bumpers feature a sportier design with larger intakes. There are red accents across both the inside and outside of the car, a theme shared with the Volkswagen GTI. The wheels are larger, and the side panels have some extra bodywork that helps it look even closer to the ground. 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.

2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI trim level differences

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is only available in the Autobahn trim level. It's powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. You have the choice of a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (called DSG) that sends power to the front wheels. Compare the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI trim levels in-depth.

Which Jetta GLI trim does Edmunds recommend?

Since the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is only offered in the Autobahn trim, that's your only choice. The fully loaded trim increased the starting price of the GLI, but it comes with many standard features such as adaptive sport-tuned suspension, a digital gauge cluster, panoramic sunroof, a Beats Audio sound system, heated and ventilated front sport seats, and a package of advanced driver aids. The only optional package is the Black package, which adds black 18-inch wheels and black exterior accents.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$192/mo

$215/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

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Model

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Reliability

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and no recalls. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Recalls

There are no recalls for the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI

Warranty

4 years / 50,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 7 years / 100,000 miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
Free maintenance Warranty: 2 years / 20,000 miles

Volkswagen Jetta GLI Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.6

38 reviews

5(76%)

4(10%)

3(8%)

2(2%)

1(4%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Trending topics

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 …

Everything you could want

Javel123, 04/16/2020

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

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 …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, so we've included reviews for other years of the Jetta GLI since its last redesign.

2022 Jetta GLI Features & Specs

MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee	$31,295
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	30 MPG
Cost to Drive	$192/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:

Active Blind Spot Monitor: Alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot.
Autonomous Emergency Braking: Warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time.
Lane Assist: Makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane.

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 Rollover133%

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2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Review

Price & Payment

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

For sale near Ashburn, VA

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI trim level differences

Which Jetta GLI trim does Edmunds recommend?

Cost to Drive

Reliability

Recalls

Warranty

Volkswagen Jetta GLI Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2022 Jetta GLI Features & Specs

Safety

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