My Thoughts Exactly: 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI
For 2025, Volkswagen enhanced the Mk7 with new front and rear exterior treatments and an updated center stack inside.
Let us refresh your memory on this once popular Volkswagen sedan…
The first Jetta arrived for the 1980 model year as a slightly upmarket and German-built companion to the Rabbit that was built in Pennsylvania (in case you’re keeping score, the Rabbit is the Golf Mk1). While it shared the same platform as the Golf, the Jetta was presented by Volkswagen of America as an aspirational car – one for those who rather not have an Audi or a BMW.
The folks at Wolfsburg kept the Golf GTI away from our market. They finally acquiesced by giving us a Rabbit GTI for the 1983 model year – again produced in Pennsylvania. That 90-horsepower engine eventually appeared under the Jetta’s hood in 1984 – the final year of the Mk1 generation. With that, the GLI model was born.
It is safe to say that we have seen the Jetta GLI through almost every generation since. It is the more desirable Jetta model, thanks to its more powerful engine, enhanced suspension and feature list. Today’s Mk7 Jetta GLI continues to engage enthusiasts looking for a “GTI with a trunk.”

For 2025, Volkswagen enhanced the Mk7 with new front and rear exterior treatments and an updated center stack inside. In the case of the GLI, that means a new set of wheels and some different color options.
Considering that the last couple of Jettas we tested had been GLIs, there may not be much to actually discuss.
Well, there is.
Lately, the word “relevance” came up in discussions about a lot of things. Too many to name here. Yet, one context this word comes up relates to the automotive industry. In particular, the fate of the sedan here in North America.
The message is on repeat regarding how sedans no longer make sense to be offered alongside SUVs. It is now a broken record that needs to be thrown out with the garbage.
Volkswagen still believes in sedans in every market they sell in. Especially here in the USA. We still prefer them over hatchbacks. Although, both the Golf GTI and R remain desirable for enthusiasts.

That is the Jetta is still on sale. That is why the Puebla, Mexico plant still produces them for our market. Moreso, the Jetta GLI is still the best sedan Volkswagen sells in this market.
That’s a huge claim we made. Which is also why we’re happy to work with another one.
The first thing we noticed in our Monterey Blue tester is the revised front clip. We noticed that Volkswagen was working on a design that forced air through a larger lower grille on the bumper. We noticed that air intake into the engine bay is also available through the narrower front grille between the two new LED headlamp units. A good thing, indeed!
The look is sleeker, perhaps a bit blunter than before. I could see that coming from recent Volkswagen models, such as the ID.4. It gives the Jetta a bit of an upmarket look. In the case of the GLI, a sportier look. The red trim around the lower part of the front clip is exclusive to the GLI.

The other facelift to the 2025 Jetta is the rear taillight unit that stretches across the trunk lid. This is something we’re seeing on recent Volkswagen models, and it does elevate the Jetta GLI. The GLI badge appears in the middle of the taillight unit, just below the Volkswagen logo.
If you look closely, the 2025 Jetta removed that trim piece ahead of the front doors seen on previous Mk7 models. It is a cleaner design, allowing the GLI badge to appear on the front door panels.
What made this Monterey Blue tester pop is the combination of a set of 18-inch black alloy wheels, black side mirror caps, and the black roof trim. Two-thirds of these elements are part of the available Black Package. Still, the GLI is given a global sporty look that is far from what you expect from a “German” sports sedan.

You will notice the same when you step inside of the GLI’s cabin. While the Digital Cockpit Pro instrumentation screen resides in its binnacle in front of the driver, there are a couple of new-for-2025 elements to point out. The trim that steaks across the instrument panel housing the outboard vents are different than before. A bold choice that works well.
The other is the tablet housing for the eight-inch infotainment touchscreen. It is not the massive screen found on other Volkswagen models that yielded complaints from owners. This is one that is surrounded by tactile switches and controls. There is wireless smartphone integration that works well. Sound is emitted by a set of BeatsAudio speakers.
The haptic-like touch switches on the climate control and steering wheel are a choice. Perhaps that’s something we try to work with.
You forget about the drawbacks and your worries when you settle into the two-tone Grigio and Titan Black leather seats that denotes the Jetta GLI’s only trim level – the Autobahn. The bolstering is deep up front. Rear seat room is the same as on normal Jetta models with plenty of leg room, but some headroom for six-footers. Trunk space is a generous 14.1 cubic feet. Just don’t mind the “step down” into the trunk.

Motivating the 2025 Jetta GLI is the 228-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged TSI four-cylinder engine. It also puts down 258 pound-feet of torque. Our tester has this engine connected to the seven-speed DSG dual clutch gearbox, driving the front wheels. Although, you can still get the Jetta GLI with a six-speed manual gearbox.
In short, this 2025 Jetta GLI still got it. It is quick off the line and can spool up to highway speed with ease. The DSG delivers smooth shifts in Normal and Comfort model. Put the Dynamic Chassis Control – DCC to the Volkswagen set – into Sport, and it will add a bit of drama to gear changes.
In terms of fuel economy, we observed an average of 27.1 MPG. On some stints, we observed fuel consumption averages of up to 35 MPG.
About DCC, you first engage it with a button on the console. On the infotainment screen, you can select from four modes. We already mentioned three of them, with the fourth being a customizable mode.

Overall, the GLI balances the sure-footedness of the Golf GTI with the smoothness of the longer wheelbase of the Jetta. In Normal and Comfort modes, the ride quality is smooth. Switch to Sport mode and you get a somewhat firmer feel. Cornering is great and the Jetta GLI delivers a quick response to evasive maneuvers.
The steering system also provided us with quick response at the wheel, delivering solid turns. On-center feel is quite good. Switch the DCC into Sport and the steering system weighs down for more precise action. Clicking on the ID.Drive button will completely lock it into a lane. As for the brakes, we experienced great pedal feel and solid response to the wheels. Observed stops were good in normal and panic situations.
You can only get the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI in the Autobahn trim. Pricing starts at $32,715. Our tester with the DSG transmission came with a sticker price of $34,590.

It is safe to say that nothing’s changed on the 2025 Jetta GLI. It drives the same as it always has throughout the Mk7 generation. That’s truly a good thing, because you know how much fun one should have behind the wheel of one.
But, could consistency become boring? We disagree. Because, the Jetta GLI is far from boring. For that, it continues to be relevant for enthusiasts since it a well-balanced sports sedan.
Forget what you hear from owners of other sporty compact sedans. The 2025 Jetta GLI is truly the real deal. Always have. Always will be.
DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by Volkswagen of America – our opinions are of our own.
All photos by Randy Stern