2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI - What's New Review

2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI model year update :

The compact Q-ship sedan remains alive and well in America, filling the void of the demised mid-size executive car.

German automaker Volkswagen's Jetta GLI has the longest heritage of the ilk, dating back to 1984. Despite its bulbous grafted trunk, the first GLI was envisioned as an upscale four-door variant of the VW Golf GTI Mk. 2 hatchback. Never achieving popularity in the home market, (despite name changes to Vento and Bora), it was deemed that the sixth generation Jetta would split from Golf underpinnings in favor of a less costly platform.

In 2019, the Mk. 7 VW Jetta finally adopted a modular platform, yet it still trailed the Mk. 8 Golf by a generation. Thus, the Hecho outside of Germany GLI notchback morphed into a GTI on the cheap.

Now in its seventh season, the 2025 VW Jetta GLI adopts some cosmetic touch-ups to remain relatively fresh, while continuing to dole out muscular movement at a still compelling price.

NEW FOR '25:

• Revised front, rear exterior details
  • Slimmer upper grille, segmented LED headlamp assembly with pronounced outboard upward hook
  • Taller lower intake grille, angled body color cantilever arms bisect form inverted triangle corner fold, red tracing from lower air dam up to outer corner folds
  • Red "GLI" body lettering relocated from fenders to 1st Row doors
  • Body color integrated trunk spoiler
  • Full light bar spanning segmented LED rear wrap-around taillamps
  • Taller lattice print charcoal lower rear valance with dual corner polished beveled exhaust tips
• Revised dashboard & door card padded printed contrast stitched panels
• Tap to swipe lower center stack climate control

2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn - Re-Driven - Q- Sedan Re- Decorated

FOURTH YEAR FARFALLE A LA ROSSO: The MQB Mk. 7 Volkswagen Jetta GLI has already earned the Roadblazing.com designation of “the People’s Teutonic Hot Compact Sedan [that] is [a] Autobahn Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing.” The 2022 VW GLI boasts greater visual distinction other Jettas, it continues in the role

RoadBlazingGeorge Straton

CONTINUED REVISIONS FROM '20-'24:

• Autobahn package is standard
  • DCC variable electronic damping
  • Variable ratio steering
  • XDS e-clutch front limited slip differential
• Available two tone, contrasting black roof, mirror caps, wheels package
• IQ.Drive advanced driver assistance with Travel Assist semi-autonomy
• Steering wheel spokes with smooth haptic driving assist and display touch pads
• 8.0" MIB 3.0 Composition voice command, gesture actuated infotainment display (simpler to operate than newer MIB 3.0 Discover app system)
  • USB-C x 3
• 8.0" Digital Cockpit instrument cluster + (available) native navigation map projection

CARRIED OVER, MOSTLY UNCHANGED:

• four door performance compact sedan, 5 occupant seating
• EA-888 TSI turbocharged 2.0L DI DOHC petrol I-4 engine + front drive 6-speed manual helical or 7-speed automated dual clutch helical transaxle
• Power ratings remain at 228 hp, 258 lb-ft. Observed combined driving fuel economy registers at 32 miles per gallon (3.1 gal. / 100 mi.). Highway range is 430 miles.
  • Drive Modes x 4: Eco, Normal, Sport, Custom
• Fully independent DCC suspension, all-season sport tires, variable ratio steering + four wheel disc brakes, front over-sized, vented.
• Mostly Good ratings from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (2024 MY), except for Poor rated moderate front overlap impacts, Moderate rated headlights & pedestrian avoidance safety

BOTTOM LINE:

• $34,590 price, as tested 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn front-drive 7-speed DSG in Monterey Blue + dark roof package
• 4 years / 50,000 miles bumper to bumper warranty; 2 years scheduled maintenance

LIKES ABOUT THE 2025 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLI AUTOBAHN DSG:

• Well-rounded compact performance sedan, remains affordable
• Exterior revisions soften the notchback shape, interior gains polish
• Rich exterior paint, pleasant cabin color contrast
• Gratifying responsiveness with deep reserves
  • XDS front limited slip minimizes traction loss
• Elusive Teutonic recipe of taut motion control & touring comfort
• Commendable fuel economy
• Driver entry seat retract, generous 2nd Row knee-room
• Capacious trunk + cargo pass through
• Artful, meaty weighted & heated steering wheel
• Heated and cooled 1st Row seats, 2-zone automatic climate control
• Instrumentation splendor with ambient night lighting
• BEATS audio configurable subwoofer gain & wireless Android Auto + Apple CarPlay phone app projection

NOT PREFERRED ABOUT THE 2025 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLI AUTOBAHN DSG:

• Six years into Mk. 7 model design
• Lacks more rigid MQB 2.0 platform
• Seat cushioning thin, steering wheel rake adjustment short
  • Non-removable 2nd Row outboard headrests
• Sound Redaktor synthesized cabin exhaust tone can grate
• Cabin finish still two steps behind the Mk. 8 Golf GTI
  • Hard panel Row 2 door cards
  • Thin carpeting, exposed door frames
• Runs the older, app lean MIB UI
• Tap to swipe haptic controls bear steep learning curve
• Dashboard illumination control within infotainment display
• All season performance tires give up grip for comfort

2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI - Bottom Line Review

JET STREAM, February 2019: North American meteorologists scurried to plot the Polar Jet Stream, east to west flowing winds at altitudes between 30,000 and 40,000 feet, just below the Northern Hemisphere tropopause, as it rained brutal icy conditions down from the North Pole. JETTA STREAM, February 2019: Volkswagen

RoadBlazingGeorge Straton