2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI (Manual) - POV Driving Impressions

Filmed with @TopherDrives
2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Specs & Info:
Engine: 2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4 (EA888)
Horsepower: 228 hp
Torque: 258 lb-ft
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)
Fuel Type: Gasoline
0-60 mph: ~6.5 seconds
Top Speed: ~130 mph

Chassis and Suspension
Front Suspension: MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension: Multi-Link Independent
Steering: Variable-ratio Electric Power Assist

Brakes:
Front: 13.4-inch Vented Disc
Rear: 11.8-inch Solid Disc
Calipers: Red-painted
Wheels: 18-inch Alloy
Tires: 225/40R18 All-Season

Dimensions
Overall Length: 185.2 inches
Overall Width: 70.8 inches
Overall Height: 56.8 inches
Wheelbase: 105.6 inches
Ground Clearance: 5.3 inches
Curb Weight: ~3,200 lbs
Trunk Capacity: 14.1 cubic feet

Fuel Economy
City: 26 MPG (est.)
Highway: 37 MPG (est.)
Combined: 30 MPG (est.)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 13.2 gallons

Interior and Comfort
Seating Capacity: 5
Upholstery: Leatherette or Leather (available)
Front Seats: Heated, with power-adjustable driver’s seat

Infotainment:
10.25-inch Digital Cockpit
8.0-inch Touchscreen Display
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (Wireless)
Premium Audio System by BeatsAudio™ (optional)
Climate Control: Dual-Zone Automatic
Steering Wheel: Leather-Wrapped, Heated, with Red Stitching
Safety and Driver Assistance
Standard Safety Features:
Automatic Emergency Braking
Blind Spot Monitoring
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
Adaptive Cruise Control
Lane Keeping Assist
Forward Collision Warning
Rearview Camera
Airbags: Front, Side, and Curtain Airbags

Exterior Features
Headlights: LED, Adaptive
Taillights: LED with Dynamic Indicators
Exhaust: Dual Chrome Tips
Sunroof: Panoramic (optional)

Colors:
Pure White
Deep Black Pearl
Tornado Red
Rising Blue Metallic
Pure Gray (new for 2025)

Pricing (Estimated)
Base Price: $32,000
With Options: Up to $36,000

Warranty
Basic: 4 years/50,000 miles
Powertrain: 4 years/50,000 miles
Corrosion: 7 years/100,000 miles

What’s New for 2025

Updated Exterior Styling:
Revised front grille with honeycomb accents and updated VW badge.
Redesigned LED headlights and taillights with dynamic light animations.
New Pure Gray exterior paint option.

Improved Performance Features:
Enhanced tuning for sharper throttle response and sportier exhaust note.
Updated electronic limited-slip differential for improved handling.

Interior Upgrades:
Larger 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro as standard.
Upgraded infotainment system with faster processing and expanded functionality.
New sport-inspired upholstery with red accents and perforated leatherette option.

Safety Enhancements:
Standard Traffic Jam Assist for semi-autonomous driving in stop-and-go conditions.
Added Emergency Assist, which brings the car to a stop if the driver becomes unresponsive.

Driving Dynamics:
Revised suspension tuning for a more balanced ride and sharper cornering.
Optional adaptive dampers now offer more distinct Comfort and Sport modes.

Technology Boost:
Wireless charging pad and two additional USB-C ports added as standard.
Enhanced voice recognition for infotainment and navigation.

Vehicle was provided by the manufacturer for testing and review.

The audio in this video was recorded with in-ear binaural microphones, headphones are recommended!

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[sebastianheine]

As a Jetta owner with some hardcore OCD, I can appreciate setting the volume knob being centered and never touching it again lmao 🤣 😂

[MishtahPoog]

This is one of my favorite recent videos. Your driving/hooning, playing around, great actual impressions and critiques, and discussion with Chris, etc. make it great.

[digitalgulby]

My first “nice” car was a mk4 GLI w/ manual. I was a college kid and beat the crap out of it but I loved it. Don’t think I really would need a car like this today but I still appreciate it’s around.

[nolojz]

oh my. That color is absolutely gorgeous, black wheels and red accents. Chef's kiss on this one.

[jamesj]

Seems like Topher had his coffee this morning 🤣 it's a good day when there's savagegeese levels of clowning the car like this

[karacha]

Quite a lot of car for the $$, actually. The infotainment looks kinda silly, but it's a fun, practical car to drive. Good for VW to keep this alive in North America.

[CubanRider]

Welcomed changes, the car looks better. Happy to see the climate controls detached from the infotainment screen.

[CaptainKielbasa]

I have '23 and love it. This car is worth every penny for what you get.

[evanvink]

T his is my first VW purchase and Ive been very pleased with my 25 GLI. Very nice interior and performance for an everyday driver.

[gladdy]

Those bezels around that screen are ridiculously massive 😂

[SamLed]

My 2019 GLI and 2018 S3 are smiling at this video. The GLI just hits differently. It always puts a smile on my face. Great review.

[internetavenger]

Europeans complaining about Americans just seems to be part of their culture.

[police]

16:33 VW tech here! The BHP advertised is correct. BUT based on dyno numbers, it is its Wheel horsepower advertised! So if we remove the drive train loss. It’s most likely making 240-250HP at the crank! As it has over 30PSI at peak!

[bcrandeis]

RE: 3rd gear. It’s nice to see VW is still doing this with their manuals. 3rd was by far the hardest pulling gear in my Revo stage 2 mk6 GTI. I still miss that feeling. You could almost feel the hand off of the torque over to the horsepower winding out 3rd in that car.

Also: this is a 2025, and I love still hearing a couple of the same dings and bongs they used back in the mk6 generation!

[terrancemoore]

Just found out the Topher and Tropher Drivers are narrated by two different people. Now, I am not confused anymore.🤣

[ak]

The updated looks are a huge improvement.

[midnight_yota]

I had a 2016 GLi and it was real fun, besides missing out on the LSD. It also came with some doo doo tires. I took it on a roughly 3k mile road trip and averaged 38-42mpg for the whole trip. It was surprisingly comfortable, even after being sat for 7+ hours.

[J.Wick.]

Wow...I didn't realize how tall the gearing was in these cars. 74 in 2nd is crazy, for what it is.

[koenigcertified]

Ah, the financially responsible man’s Audi

[Opt]

Great car. I own the 2020 model. A quick tip for any prospecting GLI buyers, ditch those awful Hankook tires. It is, by far, the worst part about the car.