2017 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0T GLI
Pros
- Spacious backseat and big trunk deliver the roominess of a big sedan with the footprint of a compact car
- Four-cylinder engines are fun and fuel-efficient
- Tech interface, touchscreen and navigation are fully featured and intuitive to operate
Cons
- GLI model wants to be a high-performance car but is just sporty
- It's pricier than some rivals
- Interior trim and materials feel subpar compared to competitors
- Handling and performance are just average
2017 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0T GLI pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Top consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta.
2017 Volkswagen Jetta video
JOSH SADLIER: This is automotive editor Josh Sadlier with an Edmunds Expert Rundown of the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. The 2017 Jetta is notable, because Volkswagen has finally done away with that strange proprietary electronics interface. Now there's just a USB port. And that's how it should be. So that's good news. The Jetta also continues to have a remarkably large back seat for this segment. Technically, it competes against cars like the Civic and the Corolla, so we call it a small sedan, except it's not. Really more of a mid-size. But the Jetta's always been a tough one for us to evaluate. On the plus side, it's got great power trains, three turbocharged engines, starting with a 1.4 that's just fine in the base models, 1.8 in the mid-range, which is even better, and then a 2-liter turbo in the GLI that you see here. It's actually a carryover from the previous generation GTI. And it's a gem. It's smooth and strong and everything you'd want at this price. But then you step inside and this is the rest of the story. Now, we mentioned the big back seat. And there it is. This really competes pretty well with some cars in the family sedan segment. So if you're looking for a roomy car in the small car class, the Jetta's pretty much the best. But if you look at the materials quality, that's where the Jetta really falls off, especially relative to Volkswagen's historical norms. The door panels are all hard plastic. Feel hollow when you rap your knuckles on them. There's just a sense that Volkswagen cut a few too many costs in here, especially given the company's reputation for quality in the past. The bottom line is that if you're looking for something German in this class, there's only one option and it's the Jetta. And it's fundamentally a pretty good car. But we just can't escape that kind of smarmy feeling, like they cheaped out on us. Hopefully, next time around, we'll see a better Jetta out of VW. For more Edmunds Expert Rundowns, click the link to subscribe.
2017 Volkswagen Jetta Expert Rundown
Looking for a sedan with generous interior space and a range of lively engines? The 2017 Volkswagen Jetta might be a good match. Here's a quick rundown of what we like, what we don't and the bottom line from the Edmunds editors.
Features & Specs
Safety
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2017 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0T GLI for Sale
Ever since the Jetta was redesigned in 2011, we've had trouble accepting its new mission in life. Jettas of the past represented the best of European cars, more refined and better to drive than competing compact sedans. The 2017 Volkswagen Jetta is all about offering big interior for a small price, as if it were designed not for demanding drivers but for stingy warehouse-club shoppers.
To be fair, Volkswagen has made a lot of changes to the Jetta over its model run, refining the interior and replacing some of the low-cost mechanical bits with more sophisticated hardware. And when it comes to passenger and trunk space, the current Jetta trounces its predecessors, not to mention a few midsize sedans. Backseat comfort is excellent and trunk space is generous.
That said, the Jetta's cabin consists of staid styling and cheap trim bits. Lower-trim models are characterized by hard, shiny plastic, a cheap material that most automakers did away with years ago. At least the Jetta's technology is up to date, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and — finally! — a proper USB port in place of VW's proprietary media port (which required an expensive dealer-supplied connector to hook up a smartphone).
Base-model Jettas used to come with an ancient 2.0-liter eight-valve engine that (literally) dated from the last century, but VW has since replaced it with a slick 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at 150 horsepower. However, it's the 170-hp 1.8-liter turbo that's the real gem. You can also get a 210-hp 2.0-liter turbo engine (sourced from Volkswagen's vaunted GTI) in the sporty Jetta GLI model. EPA fuel economy estimates range from a high of 33 mpg combined (28 city/40 highway) for the 1.4T manual down to 27 mpg combined for the GLI.
As a group, Jettas are comfortable and engaging to drive, though they no longer stand head and shoulders above the competition the way the previous-generation Jetta did. And while the GLI is very quick in a straight line, its road manners lag behind those of its high-performance competitors, including Volkswagen's own GTI.
Volkswagen has simplified the Jetta lineup for 2017 by reducing the number of available options; equipment is now largely determined by trim level. The S model offers most of the creature comforts we expect in a compact sedan, while the SE adds several nice-to-have features. SEL is the luxury version of the Jetta, and the GLI stands alone as the performance-oriented model. Which is the best one to buy? Edmunds can help find the perfect 2017 Volkswagen Jetta for you.
2017 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0T GLI Overview
The 2017 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0T GLI is offered in the following styles: 2.0T GLI 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M), and 2.0T GLI 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6AM).
What do people think of the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0T GLI?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0T GLI and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 Jetta 2.0T GLI 5 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2017 Jetta 2.0T GLI.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0T GLI and all model years in our database. Our rich analysis includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 Jetta 2.0T GLI featuring deep dives into trim levels including 2.0T GLI, etc. with careful analysis around pricing, features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving and performance. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Read our full review of the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0T GLI here.Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
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Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including all models of the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0T GLI and all available trim types: 2.0T GLI, 2.0T GLI. Rich, trim-level features & specs and options data tracked for the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0T GLI include (but are not limited to): MSRP, available incentives and deals, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (interior and exterior color, upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, cruise control, parking assistance, lane sensing, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy and MPG (city, highway, and combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (interior cabin space, vehicle length and width, seating capacity, cargo space). Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds expert review, safety rating, and color.
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