2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn Review — Still Splitting Personalities Nicely

The GLI blends — save for some unique wheel looks and badging, most civilians won’t even notice that your Jetta is ready to play. The front and rear got a facelift for 2025, but only the true fahrvergnügen heads will notice.

Inside, the cabin also gets a light reworking, and while VW is trying to save the manuals by keeping the six-speed stick available, my test unit was saddled with the seven-speed DSG automatic. More’s the pity.

You can choose your transmission but not your engine — the sole mill on offer here is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.

Those numbers don’t pop the eyes, but there’s enough twist on hand to turn Jekyll into Hyde when the urge strikes. You won’t have an issue passing or merging. The DSG is just fine, though I’d still prefer the stick — even though I remember it having slightly long throws and a clutch with a little much travel.

Drive the GLI sedately and it feels like the “regular” Jetta — it moves across town with comfort and ease. While the GLI gets a multi-link rear suspension and sport-tuned gas shocks with stiffer springs and a rear anti-roll bar, the car’s ride doesn’t feel too stiff, except when you hit pavement that’s the worst of the worst.

The rear stance of the car is lowered by 0.6 inches, while the front shares its long-travel springs, lower control arms, telescopic dampers, and anti-roll bar with the “lesser” trims.

This front-driver has a limited-slip front differential and adaptive chassis control.

When it comes time to turn, the GLI is responsive, even before you select Sport Mode. Turn-in is sharp and it’s easy to place the car exactly where you want. Easy, but not perfect — the steering is a bit too artificial and light, and there is some body roll at speed.

I also found that the tires gave up the ghost on tricky off-ramp after a little bit of rain. The understeering slide was easy to catch but surprising nonetheless. Thankfully no future drama ensued and no sheetmetal was bent.

The brakes bite well enough but could stand to be a tad firmer.

The cabin is spacious, but Volkswagen saddled this car with the annoying haptic-touch infotainment system that has annoyed car reviewers and customers for several years now. Storage space is also a little lacking, and outside noise does filter in a little too much. That’s not all bad — the engine sounds good, especially in the upper RPM range — but Teutonic luxury isn’t present here. Some materials could be nicer, too.

Trunk space, at least, is huge. Score another point for the GLI being a commuter car.

Getting in the door for this Autobahn would cost $32,715. Standard features included a power sunroof, 18-inch wheels, LED lighting, LED fog lamps, dual-zone climate control, heated steering wheel, heated and cooled front seats, USB connections, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert, keyless entry and starting, digital gauges, satellite radio, Bluetooth, wireless charging, wireless Android Auto, and wireless Apple CarPlay.

Options were limited to the automatic (no charge), two-tone exterior (no charge), leather interior (no charge), and the Black Package ($650, black wheels and black mirror caps). Total as-tested price, including $1,225 for destination: $34,590.

There are several direct competitors to the Volkswagen Jetta GLI. Honda’s Civic Si is cheaper but higher-strung. Hyundai’s Elantra N is priced about the same, but like the Honda, it clearly wants to play at all times. It’s not as high-strung as the Civic but still not as calm a commuter as the VW. Subaru’s WRX is dated, rough around the edges, and will cost too much if you want to get it close to GLI spec. Acura’s Integra A-Spec comes the closest to blending comfort and sport, and it offers a hatch.

I’m not arguing that the Jetta GLI is the best car in the class — really, it’s dealer’s choice here. Pick what fits your lifestyle and budget. But this is the best in class at having a dual personality.

If you want a compact sports car that doesn’t sacrifice comfort for sport — and, in fact, doesn’t even hint at performance until you kick the spurts — this is the one for you.

[Images © 2025 Tim Healey/TTAC.com]

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