I was a bit disappointed when I sat inside the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI only to realize it was fitted with the dual-clutch, seven-speed automatic unit. VW should rather put it out there – especially with us auto journalists always complaining about there not being enough manual cars – that the updated Jetta lineup is the last VW offered with three-pedals here in North America.
That’s right. Starting this year, VW no longer sells a manual-transmission Golf GTI or R, so the only fun car left within its lineup available with this type of transmission is the Jetta GLI you’re seeing here. There’s something rather alarming about this realization, isn’t there? All that aside, I’m honestly happy to be spending the week behind the wheel of a GLI, because I still like this thing a lot.
The Jetta GLI Was Always The Underdog Of The Compact Sports Car Segment
I always like me a good underdog story, which is also why I have always had a soft spot for the GLI. Hidden behind the almighty Golf GTI, the performance version of the Jetta has always been kind of the black sheep within VW’s performance portfolio, at least here in the U.S. Often tagged as the poor-person’s GTI, the GLI has nevertheless held its own by incorporating most if not all of the GTI’s hardware and driving characteristics.
Obviously, the Jetta is a more American-focused vehicle, compared to the Golf, which is a direct import from Europe. The Jetta has a more American-fit sedan layout, with plenty of rear legroom and a large trunk capable of engulfing a full set of groceries or even a baby stroller. But the GLI sacrifices some performance in return by pumping out 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque from its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, versus 241 hp and 273 lb-ft for the GTI. Pricing for a GLI is also about the same as a GTI, but unlike the Golf, which is available in six different trim levels, you can only get the GLI here in the Autobahn trim.
I just got into this thing and drove home with it, so I didn’t get to explore it really in detail, but it’s obviously mostly a facelift over the outgoing model rather than a full model overhaul. This is immediately apparent in the way the drivetrain behaves, and how excellent the dual-clutch automatic gearbox shuffles from one gear to the next. That all being said, I would still rather be dumping a clutch and rowing the gear lever myself.
Its Infotainment System Is Alright, Mostly Because It’s Old
If you’ve been keeping track of MK8 Golf GTI and R reviews, you’re probably well aware that the infotainment interface as well as most of the ergonomics in those cars is not all that great. It’s so bad, that VW issued an update to the 2025 GTI and R in an attempt to mitigate these problems. One of the changes is physical buttons on the steering wheel versus the old haptic feedback setup that simply didn’t work well.
The new GLI, sadly, still has those annoying sliders on the steering wheel. But at least its infotainment system and HVAC controls are rather old-school. Sure, there’s haptic feedback for cabin heat and fan speed, but it works considerably better than the sliders in the Golf GTI. The infotainment system is also VW’s older setup, with actual buttons and a dated, but simpler and more user-friendly interface. That’s also what I have personally always liked about the GLI. It was always a bit more of an old-school hooligan than the GTI, meaning it typically carried over older, but tried and proven technology.
That’s all I have for now, but I’ll be back here with an opinion piece about this car later this week, as well as my full review shortly. Although we’re buried in snow in my neck of the woods at the moment, I’m still looking forward to taking the GLI on some of my favorite back roads to give it a proper run for its money.
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