2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI | MotorWeek Quick Spin

In the market for a small, fun to drive, affordable car? Well one of our favorites that has withstood the test of swaying automotive trends is the four-door #Volkswagen #Jetta. And this 2025 Jetta GLI Autobahn is the perfect embodiment of compact and sensible excitement. #JettaGLI

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[_que]

Last manual for VW, what a time we live in...

[AdamSWolff]

The GLI is the only Jetta that still has fully independent suspension. I had a base model Jetta with independent suspension before diesel gate when they cheapened the suspension on the Jetta. I purchased a Toyota Corolla that now has fully independent suspension. The drivability of the car is completely different with the solid rear axle.

[joeschepis]

I bought the 2024 GLI with a manual and I love it! Peppy engine, great manual transmission, and excellent build quality. Priced right!

[PowerTom_kyle]

I love this car! Definitely want to buy it.

[waynerogers]

My grandson had a one year old jetta and had to replace multiple ignition packs

[eddieg]

LITERALLY a few months after my sister’s Jetta’s warranty expired her power sunroof stuck in the OPEN position. She took it to the dealer thinking a few springs, or a small part would need to be replaced…….they said the ENTIRE sunroof would need to be replaced for almost $3, 000.00. She kindly asked them to crank the sunroof closed, and promptly traded it in for a LEXUS IS, NEVER to buy German again!!!

[ct]

Bought a 2019 GLI S as my first brand new car (a leftover in 4/2020), which is functionally identical to a 2025 but with better HVAC controls. Was 3K off the 25.5K sticker. Everything else was good or great, but the gearbox and clutch were horrendous- 1-2-3-4 all had huge gaps in between and were all very tall (2nd was as tall as 3rd/3rd as tall as 4th in my Focus ST). Very easy to stall, and undersized clutch is prone to premature failure. Made it very annoying as a low-speed town commuter, granted it wouldn't matter on the highway. Sold it to Carvana after less than a year, shame as if it had a decent gearbox I'd still own it.

It also had very sluggish throttle mapping below 2300RPM, now the new engine in the MK8 GTi is much snappier at low revs (largely mitigating the gearing issue) but the GLI did NOT receive this new engine, which the GTI has had for going on 4 years now. And it's not just the last manual Jetta, but the last manual Volkswagen- the Golf R and GTI dumped the manual for the 2025 model year. VW really fumbled their sporty lineup (MK8 touchscreen interior), if the GLI had the GTi engine it would be more forgivable.

[kylenovak]

I have a 2024 with the 40th anniversary package so it was actually way cheaper but I do love the car. It's a lot of fun to drive a couple of interior quality issues. But other than that, I love it.I don't like the new interior as much as the old one

[stainsonmycouch]

35k IS NOT CHEAP. So sick of this absolute FORCE from car manufacturers trying to make it seem like it’s not a lot of money

[josemontano]

I owned a VW Jetta GLI autobahn 6spd it was great unit I hit 70K and then it started to fall apart

[mawelsh]

Why is MotorWeek driving so slowly in the beauty shots?

[gabrieldetwiler]

Still won’t understand why they chose to keep the gen 3 2.0 in this rather than putting in the mk8 GTIs gen 4 2.0

[vinckokeccee]

a world where 35k dollar car is considered cheap ....smh

[KeithSchwerin]

in 19years its gained 28HP while the GTI has picked up like 60. Such a shame.

[carsnstuff]

Almost $40k for a Jetta GLI and the driver seat doesn't have 6 way adjust. That's right, I sat in one in the showroom recently while my Passat was back for another repair. The front of the seat doesn't adjust for height, just the back. That is NOT acceptable for a seat in a sport sedan. Or any car that costs $35k-$40k. Unfortunately the amount of problems my Passat has had before it even hit 50k miles combined with the dealership's mediocre service experiences has turned me off from the brand.

[roberthoyt]

When will VW reveal the next-gen Jetta? Will it remain a regular sedan or will VW decide to increase its ground clearance to make the car a direct rival to the Peugeot 408 and Citroen C4?

[bantuatha]

They can't even keep up with Tesla's rival so they are going out with this last Manual Jetta GLI, sure there are plenty used one out there so it is bound to happen to see those laying around. I do prefer Manual, but sadly 35K for performance VW one so you either have to trade it or long enough to buy used one.

[dohc]

It's definitely an improvement in styling. Otherwise, the Civic, 3, or Corolla in that order 🤔.

[JustinBobby-lu]

That’s just crazy expensive now ah days no way looking elsewhere.

[barrykehoe]

Looks like any other Kia/hyundai/corolla but w/red stripes. I’m sure it drives better though.