Review: 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Is Old-School Sport Compact Fun

A mechanical twin to the Golf GTI, which has evolved into a more complicated and technology-dense machine, the Jetta GLI remains a go-to car in the affordable sport compact car segment. If you count yourself among those hardcore VW fans who don’t agree with the carmaker’s latest decisions, notably in styling and technology (read awful infotainment user experience), then you’ll be happy to know that the GLI preserves the qualities that we loved from older VW performance models.

In other words, this is one of the rare cases where an old-school approach actually works in favor of the model in question. The Jetta GLI is still one of the greats not because it was refreshed in 2025, but precisely because it’s, well, kind of old.

2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI: Facelifted, But Not Rejuvenated

The 2025 model year brings a slew of updates to the entire Jetta lineup, which is mostly a midcycle refresh rather than a complete model overhaul. But since the current-generation Jetta has been on sale since 2019, it’s obvious that VW isn’t spending more resources on this nameplate. As the carmaker transitions more into electric vehicle (EV) technology, it’s uncertain if there will even be another Jetta after this one.

For now at least, this GLI is the best you can get from this nameplate. The facelift mostly massages the front and rear fascias, offers a new set of wheels and new color options. While the front section is cleaner, more modern and purposeful, it is still the same Jetta we already know. In GLI form, the more aggressive bumpers, dual exhaust tips and read brake calipers definitely put the emphasis on this car’s go-faster promise, but from all angles the GLI remains a stealthy vehicle, one that’ll quickly have you mistake it for a Passat from how large it has become.

Do I like the way the GLI looks? It’s OK, in the sense that it’s unoffensive. But its styling is definitely not as coherent as the current Civic Si’s or even a Mazda3 Turbo. What I’m definitely not a fan of is the tacky GLI logo that was slapped on each of the car’s front doors.

2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Exterior Dimensions

2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI: Differences Between The U.S. And Canadian Market

Since the GLI is a trim level within the Jetta lineup, there’s really only one version to choose from. Contrary to the Golf GTI, which can be had in a variety of flavors, you can only get your GLI in the Autobahn trim in the U.S. In Canada, the car is simply called GLI. Both markets offer the choice of a manual transmission or, in this case, a dual-clutch automatic at no extra cost. U.S.-market cars offer an extra body color over their Canadian equivalent: Pure White. The rest, including the optional Black package ($650 USD/$500 CAD), is essentially identical on each side of the border.

U.S. Versus Canada Lineup Breakdown And Starting MSRP (model tested in bold)

Driving Impressions And Performance: Classic VW MQB Feels

Riding on an older version of the Volkswagen Group’s ubiquitous MQB architecture (A1), the Jetta GLI brings with it the sort of driving dynamics several enthusiasts blame VW of having lost in recent years. Immediately after covering a few miles with the car, I was pleased by how rock-solid this chassis still feels and how engaging the GLI remains, especially when zipping it around an urban environment.

The hardware is all very familiar: Volkswagen’s well-documented EA888 turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, taken straight out of the Golf GTI. For GLI duty, it was slightly detuned to 225 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Fun fact: in the U.S. and Canada, the GLI is the only VW now available with the option of a six-speed manual transmission, an alarming fact considering both the GTI and the Golf R have gotten rid of their stick-shift options. To make things even more depressing, my test car was equipped with the seven-speed dual-clutch (DSG) automatic unit.

Don’t get me wrong, VW’s dual-clutch setup is still one of the best in the business. Its shifts are rapid, and it always knows when to act, or not. It’s so good that I would actually consider it over the manual for its daily usefulness. It’s also faster, yielding a 0-60 MPH time under the six-second threshold (about 0.2 seconds quicker than the manual). But if you truly want to take in all the GLI’s old-school experience, I say the stick is the way to go.

The GLI’s best asset remains its engine, a powerhouse of horsepower and torque at all RPMs, but also a lively four-cylinder that will allow you to easily rev it out to its limiter. There’s really nothing this engine can’t do, adding flexibility to the GLI’s ability to generate grins, but also to casually trot in the background as bystanders mistake it for any other Jetta. While typically splashier and brighter than your ordinary ho-hum Jetta, the GLI remains a stealthy object, further adding to its roughneck, sport-compact charms.

This car doesn’t try to be something it’s not. The GLI puts the power down with haste, grips to the tarmac (although my tester’s winter tires limited this) thanks to an electronically controlled limited-slip differential. Handling is flat, and the steering is communicative. Larger, 13.4-inch front brake rotors and calipers from the last-generation Golf R help keep things in check, while three-way-adjustable adaptive dampers give this pumped-up Jetta added athleticism in the corners.

So, yes, the GLI handles beautifully, pulls strong and is quite fun to drive. But it doesn’t come with the same sort of brilliant chassis tuning as, say, a Hyundai Elantra N or even a Honda Civic Si. In a sense, the GLI feels more like the grand-tourer of sport compact cars. It’s just more mature, more laid back. Trying to manhandle it will only result in unwanted understeer or traction control intrusion. Back things up a notch, rather, and rely on its torquey engine to fill in the gaps, and the GLI will return a pleasant sports-car driving experience.

2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Technical Specifications

2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Fuel Consumption

Since the 2025 GLI is mechanically unchanged, the EPA preserved the same fuel consumption ratings as when it was last facelifted in 2023, with an average combined fuel consumption of 30 MPG for both the manual and the automatic transmission. Since I was driving the car during a very cold week in January, I averaged a slightly higher 26 MPG.

EPA And As Tested Fuel Consumption (DSG)

Interior Design And Comfort: Spacious And Comfortable, But Build Quality Is Meh

If you count yourself among those unhappy with VW’s latest infotainment system and overall technology, then you might appreciate the GLI’s blend of old and new. I know I did. There’s a familiar feel in the way everything is set up and positioned inside the GLI, because, well, the car has been largely the same since 2019, albeit with some updated screens, displays and switchgear. This allows the GLI to be considerably easier to live with than a GTI. There’s just less complication to how everything operates and less, well, technology.

I’ll get back to the tech stuff in a bit, but I will say that the haptic feedback buttons in a GLI – while still annoying from their tendency to either not react or react too quickly – are not as infuriating to operate as in a GTI. But they remain unnatural to operate. There’s just always an uncertainty that they won’t deliver each time you lay your finger over them.

Finally, it’s obvious that the GLI is based on VW’s cheapest car, because build quality and the general quality of cabin materials are only fine. There are obvious signs of cost-cutting in some observable cheap plastics, as well as unwanted cabin rattles when the car is driven on beaten-up roads.

Inside, the Jetta’s best asset remains how spacious its cabin is, leaning towards midsize sedan territory. Seats are comfortable and supportive both for hard cornering and everyday driving, while rear leg and headroom are segment-leading. Tall drivers will feel no discomfort from sitting in the back seat of a Jetta GLI.

2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use: Generally Easy To Use, With Physical Knobs!

Haptic feedback shenanigans aside, the GLI’s simpler technology comes as a breath of fresh air in this age of overcomplicated interfaces. The eight-inch screen is just the right size, while a pair of rotary knobs, as well as other redundant physical buttons ease its operation while driving. While rudimentary in design, this interface is quick to react and relatively easy to get your head around. In my case, wireless Android Auto connected quickly while allowing me to utilize the screen’s full real estate.

The same simplicity is felt through the GLI’s digital gauge cluster, which allows you to customize the display through three straightforward themes. Most of the GLI’s technology is a no-brainer and doesn’t come in the way of the car’s driving experience. Oh, and I must mention that the GLI’s standard Beats six-speaker audio system sounds great!

Cargo And Storage Space: On Par With Civic Si And Elantra N

Although I’m not a fan of the Jetta’s bloated size, I’ll admit that it does allow it to be a spacious, but also a very practical little sedan. Offering a bit more cargo space than a Mazda3 Turbo sedan (13.2 cu-ft), the Jetta GLI’s trunk space is neck-to-neck with the Honda Civic Si (14.1 cu-ft) and the Hyundai Elantra N (14.2 cu-ft).

2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Cargo Space

Holding The Fort As VW’s Most Affordable Pocket Rocket

So there you have it, the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is still fun to drive, respectfully quick off the line and relatively affordable. Add to all that the spaciousness and practicality of the Jetta body style, as well as a more old-school approach to performance and technology, and you’ve got yourself a no-brainer of a pocket rocket that should serve you well for several years. It’s the quintessential wolf in sheep’s clothing, the sports car that wins the daily driveability argument against your significant other’s more rational side. Along with the Honda Civic Si, the Jetta GLI is a stalwart sport compact, and for 2025, it loses none of its charm.