2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Prices, Reviews, and Pictures

2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn Sedan Exterior

Average

The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is a worthwhile upgrade over the regular Jetta. It's comfortable and spacious while also being sporty and quick. Its performance isn't as sharp or as exciting as what you get from rival sport compacts, however.Read full review

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Volkswagen Jetta GLI for Sale

Pricing

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Edmunds suggests you pay

$31,365

Edmunds suggested price is based on sales in IN thru 9/21/26, including destination fee, but not other dealer fees. Final assembly in Mexico.

Pros

Roomy and quiet interior
Comfortable seats and ride
Plenty of interior storage and a big trunk
Respectable fuel economy

Cons

Low-quality cabin materials
Less entertaining to drive than some competitors
Doesn't look or feel very special

What's new

Revised front fascia and rear bumper styling
New interior design, including standard 8-inch infotainment screen
Part of the seventh Jetta generation introduced for 2019

Overview

Written by automotive expert Josh Jacquot

Updated: 9/22/2026

Volkswagen's Jetta GLI is the dark horse of the sport compact segment. It's flown under the radar for years as the performance version of the Jetta, offering more power and better handling than the more pedestrian Jetta trims. And after a revision for 2025 that includes a new interior and new front and rear fascias, that still remains true. We like that the GLI continues to offer a six-speed manual transmission, which is a sign that VW is targeting driving enthusiasts with this model. Still, it distinctly lacks performance relative to the key players in the segment.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Reese Counts

Average

6.1

out of 10

We drove the 2025 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.

Driving experience

5.3/10

How does the Volkswagen Jetta GLI drive? The GLI is heavier and less powerful than rival sedans. The automatic-equipped GLI we tested accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds, which sits near the bottom of the class. The transmission can be lazy to downshift to pass on the street or highway. We used the shift paddles more than usual. The brake pedal also required more effort than we would like, and the brakes faded more quickly compared to rivals.

One of the main causes for poor braking figures is the standard all-season tires, which hurt handling and steering. The standard adaptive dampers do an effective job of controlling body roll (as well as providing one of the most refined and comfortable rides in the segment, with clear differences between Comfort and Sport modes), 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. The steering is quick and weighted well but lacks feedback.

Visibility is good, but there's only a below-average rearview camera aboard to help you out. Other driver aids are relatively few in number, but those present work acceptably.

Comfort

6.4/10

How comfortable is the Volkswagen Jetta GLI? 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 well shaped and features some moderate bolstering. The driving position feels comfortable but sporty, and the seat and steering wheel offer an adequate degree of adjustment.

On the downside, the Jetta is stuck with a complicated touchscreen interface. Easily visible information, like the trip meter, cannot be easily reset, and other settings are buried in menus. We also dislike the climate control's capacitive touch buttons and sliders. Thankfully, other major controls are easier to use. There are no rear air vents, which is an oversight for a modern sedan, but the automatic climate control at least works quickly and evenly without being loud. The standard heated and cooled seats also work well.

In-cabin tech

7.8/10

How’s the tech? The GLI has four USB-C ports plus a wireless charge pad, so there's no excuse for anyone's personal device to go without a full charge. Wireless connectivity for smartphones worked well, and we appreciated how easy it was to switch between our phone's system and the Jetta's native functions. We were less impressed by the Jetta's native system, however. The graphics are dated, and the menus don't always contain the options or the settings you expect to find.

Storage & cargo

7/10

How’s storage and cargo? The Jetta GLI's 14.1-cubic-foot trunk is pretty big for the class. The opening is wide, making it easy to load large bags without having to twist or contort them to fit. We only wish the rear seats folded more in line with the trunk floor. They leave a pretty big shelf that makes it tough to push longer objects through.

Inside, there's plenty of storage for front passengers with a cupholder, a deep center console bin, and a tray that can double as a wireless charging pad. The door pockets are also generously sized but are not lined with felt, so smaller objects will rattle around while you drive.

Value

5.7/10

Is the Volkswagen Jetta GLI a good value? The Jetta GLI starts off priced comparably to most of its rivals, and in general we think you get a lot for your money. 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.

MPG

5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The GLI has an EPA-estimated fuel economy estimate of 29 mpg combined with the automatic transmission and 30 mpg combined with the manual. Those are as good as or better than the figures for nearly every rival. Even better, we saw an impressive 33.4 mpg with the automatic on our real-world evaluation route, so we feel confident the GLI will hit its numbers.

X factor

5/10

The GLI has a handful of design changes that help set it apart from the standard Volkswagen Jetta. 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.

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2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI pricing in Indianapolis, IN

Edmunds suggests you pay

Build & Price

Deals & Buying Tips for the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI for October

The 2025 Jetta GLI is effectively sold out new, so your smartest move is to shop used instead of chasing nonexistent remaining stock.

There are 0 new vehicles in inventory nationwide, which means there is no real new-car negotiating play left on this model.
Used supply is limited too, with 119 used vehicles nationwide, so cast a wide net and move quickly if you want a specific color or equipment.
Used prices start around $25,400, which is about $9,000 below the original $34,440 MSRP for a new one and likely the clearest path to value now.
If you do find a dealer advertising a new one, remember buyers were paying about $2,900 below sticker before inventory dried up, and there are no general customer cash rebates to stack on top.

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2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI trim level differences

The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI comes in a single, top-level version: the fully loaded Autobahn trim. A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (228 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque) is the only engine, and you can choose between a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (called direct-shift gearbox, or DSG). The Jetta GLI is front-wheel-drive. Compare the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI trim levels in-depth.

Which Jetta GLI trim does Edmunds recommend?

The Jetta GLI is available in only a single fully loaded trim called the Autobahn. It's packed with features like heated ventilated front seats, a limited-slip differential and performance-oriented suspension and brakes. An available Black package adds revised black wheels and trim.

Competitors to consider

Other sport compact sedans include the Hyundai Elantra N, which boasts 48 more horsepower than the GLI, and the Subaru WRX, which has a similar power advantage and adds all-wheel drive. Even the less powerful Honda Civic Si offers the option of summer performance tires to allow its chassis to match its (modest) powertrain performance.

Edmunds spotlight: Revised. But with a miss

With new exterior styling, new wheel designs and a freshened interior, the Jetta GLI is improved for 2025, but we're puzzled by some obvious misses. First, as a performance model, the GLI should offer the option of summer tires, which would vastly improve its handling and up its driver engagement to be competitive with other cars in the segment. Otherwise, this is largely the same Jetta GLI as before, but with a new look.

Volkswagen Jetta GLI Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.6

37 reviews

5(78%)

4(11%)

3(5%)

2(6%)

1(0%)

Owners Say

Overall, owner sentiment is positive. Owners say the Jetta GLI is fun to drive, quick, and gets good gas mileage, with lots of room and a comfortable ride. Many also like the manual option, strong handling, and useful tech like Apple CarPlay and wireless charging. Some owners mention issues with cheap-feeling parts, weak sound system, and a few tech or quality problems.

This summary is AI-generated from the text of owner reviews

See all 37 reviews of the Volkswagen Jetta GLI

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Most Helpful Owner Review

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

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, so we've included review for other years of the Jetta GLI since its last redesign.

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2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Features & Specs

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$33,215
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	29 MPG
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	14.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Reliability

The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and no recalls.

Recalls

There are no recalls for the 2025 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

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Volkswagen Jetta GLI
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Safety

Key safety features on the Jetta GLI include:

Back-up camera
Blind Spot Monitoring
Lane Departure Warning
Tire Pressure Warning
Stability Control
Pre-collision safety system
Post-collision safety system

NHTSA Overall Rating 5 out of 5 stars

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating	Rating
Overall	4 / 5
Driver	4 / 5
Passenger	4 / 5
Side Crash Rating	Rating
Overall	5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating	Rating
Overall	5 / 5
Driver	5 / 5
Passenger	5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings	Rating
Front Seat	5 / 5
Back Seat	5 / 5
Rollover	Rating
Rollover	4 / 5
Dynamic Test Result	No Tip
Risk Of Rollover	13%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test	Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test	Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original	Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated	Poor
Side Impact Test – Original	Good
Side Impact Test – Updated	Acceptable
Roof Strength Test	Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint	Good

Research other Jetta GLI years

FAQ

Is the Volkswagen Jetta GLI a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2025 Jetta GLI both on the road and at the track, giving it a 6.1 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2025 Jetta GLI gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 37 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Jetta GLI has 14.1 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Volkswagen Jetta GLI. Learn more

What's new in the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI:

Revised front fascia and rear bumper styling
New interior design, including standard 8-inch infotainment screen
Part of the seventh Jetta generation introduced for 2019

Learn more

Is the Volkswagen Jetta GLI reliable?

To determine whether the Volkswagen Jetta GLI is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Jetta GLI. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Jetta GLI's 5-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2025 Jetta GLI and gave it a 6.1 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2025 Jetta GLI gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 37 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2025 Jetta GLI is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI?

The least-expensive 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $33,215.

Other versions include:

Autobahn 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) which starts at $33,215
Autobahn 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) which starts at $33,215