Used 2023 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Consumer Reviews
Used Jetta GLI for sale
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 Jetta GLI, so we've included reviews for other years of the Jetta GLI since its last redesign.
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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My 10th VW
William Zimmer, 04/27/2021
updated 04/27/2022
2021 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I bought it sight unseen from a dealer 100 miles away and had them deliver it the next day. Performance and handling is fantastic. Love the wireless Apple CarPlay and the wireless charging. My last GLi was an ‘86. This one is light years better! Update: after several months of ownership, no problems and I still love it!
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2023 Volkswagen Jetta GLI for sale near you
3 of 29 listings
- Autobahn SedanMSRP: $24,49037 mi away
- Autobahn SedanMSRP: $25,83038 mi away
- Autobahn SedanMSRP: $25,800124 mi away
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Fast and sporty but cheap feeling
AC Chicago , 06/08/2021
2021 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
8 of 10 people found this review helpful
I owned a 2006 GLI and was eager to drive the 2021 model. The car was fast and has great technology but I was surprised by how cheap the finishings felt. Doors closed with a tinny clink rather than a reassuring thud. Cheap plastic abounds. Low quality leather. Poor sound insulation. I was really disappointed and decided to focus on a CPO A4 or 328i for the same price. VW obviously cut lots of corners to price competitively and it shows.
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Cheap Audi, but with a manual!!!
JC, 11/09/2020
2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
I have owned 7 VW’s so full disclosure, I am slightly biased. That said, I have driven the competition and, as usual, nothing really compares to a VW for the money. As at least one other reviewer stated, the tech is totally fine. They did cheap out in the back, but that’s one of the reasons it’s roughly $6000 cheaper than a comparable Gti. The Gti by the way, does handle better, but at the expense of being able to have two full size adults travel in the back seat, which I really needed. Plus more space in the trunk. The adjustable suspension is awesome and really does make a big difference between the soft and sport settings. The Gli is actually pretty fast, and my recommendation, immediately replace the Falken tires. I unfortunately, was stuck with the all season touring tires, which are truly terrible in all conditions. I replaced them at 900 miles with Michelin Pilot Sport 4s tires. Yes, they are $80 or so dollars more than the Falkens, and easily worth every penny. In fact, regardless of what you drive, put the Pilot Sport 4S’s on in the summer, transformative experience. I always use dedicated winter tires. The brakes really are phenomenal, with great feel! And with the Michelin’s on there, you can pretty much do what you want. Gas mileage on the highway is easily mid 30’s. It is hard to keep off the gas though on back roads. It is truly an attractive, fairly quick, excellent handling and reasonably priced, small German sports sedan that you can get with a manual! And it is worth it! The Honda is a great car, but it’s not the same. Nothing drives like a German car. This one is no exception.
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Great Ride, Poor VW Car Net
Patiently Waiting, 05/07/2021
2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I purchased my Jetta GLI S in 10/2020. Manual transmission, great acceleration, plenty of passenger room. Large trunk. A fun car to drive. I have 5,000 miles on the vehicle and the VW car net app stopped working- the microphone stopped working so I cannot make hands free calls or use voice control. I took it to my dealership and was advised several customers have had this occur recently, but unfortunately VW doesn't have a software update yet. "They are working on it". It may seem like a minor complaint, but you cannot answer your phone if you are plugged in the USB port and enjoying Sirius XM, using Google Maps, etc.. Doing some research, I discovered it happens with several 2020/2021 VW models.