2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn
While the traditional domestic Big Three automakers no longer offer the once ubiquitous four-door sedan, demand still exists and the void fills with offerings from Europe and Asia. Case in point, Volkswagen’s long running Jetta.
This compact sedan offers family comfort and a conventional still-appreciated 14.1 cubic foot trunk, quite spacious for a sedan of this size. Also in dealerships, a sporty, upmarket version of the Jetta sold in a single trim with all the trimmings standard marketed as the Jetta GLI Autobahn. Think of it as the peppiest Jetta available. For those seeking mid-size sedan travel, VW markets the Arteon.
Europe’s largest automaker, as with many Eurasian and American counterparts, offers an up-notch designation (in Jetta’s case GLI) differentiating itself from the mainstream product. In exchange for choosing the posh version (for a bit more cash of course) consumers get rewarded with sportier characteristics. The South Korean auto giant Hyundai offers its ‘N’ trims and Honda boasts its Si opportunities. The GLI withstood the test of time as it first arrived four decades ago.
From German, Volkswagen translates into, ‘The People’s Car’ in English. Volkswagen rates as Europe’s largest automaker by sales volume and second worldwide behind Toyota.
Jetta’s first generation arrived in the states in 1979 as a 1980 model year product answering a question not too many folks were asking; ‘Can VW please build a sedan version of the popular VW Golf-sized hatchback?’ Jetta’s sales and demand soon soared.
As part of its sporty experience, Jetta GLI offers a six-speed manual transmission allowing pilots the opportunity to fine-tune gear selection with human input. It’s getting harder and harder to locate any ‘stick shifts’ domestic or import as demand wanes and an upcoming generation of drivers never bothered or had the opportunity to learn/appreciate this art. But for those who still thrill to the moves, it’s a hoot. For those seeking mainstream shifts, a seven-speed dual clutch transmission is available at no extra charge.
A performance-oriented dual clutch transmission blends together the worlds of manual and automatic transmissions, tweaking fuel economy while providing lightning quick gear switches with no interruptions in propulsion power. This parallel gearbox design requires no foot clutch found within the manual transmission world while eliminating the heavy torque converter found within conventional automatics. Clutch one handles odd gears (1,3,5,7) while the second clutch tackles even ones (2,4,6) plus reverse. From a layman’s point of view, it’s a performance upgrade to a conventional automatic and historically associated with premium brands.
No changes mechanically for the GLI Autobahn from 2024 but notable visual changes upfront include a narrow grille flanked by updated jewel-like lighting structures and lower bumpers. Step inside and a larger, ‘floating’ 8.0-inch information touch screen proudly adorns the dash. Volkswagen exclusively sells Jetta in and for the North American market.
The current seventh-generation Jetta GLI sport sedan configuration debuted globally to the public at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show and marked the first Jetta built from the flexible MQB technology platform. Volkswagen debuted the Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) in 2012 allowing a higher degree of flexibility and capitalizes upon economics of scale by building vehicles with different wheelbases and track widths on the same production line. The MQB platform, employing two solid-mounted subframes, underpins vehicles of multiple sizes from the compact Golf to the midsize three-row Atlas crossover. Another benefit, a quicker turnaround time from one vehicle generation to the next. The MQB initials represent ‘Modularer Querbaukasten’ in German, loosely translating to Modular Transverse Matrix in English.
Under hood Jetta GLI Autobahn returns a direct injected 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 228 horsepower. The conventional non-GLI Jetta offers a 1.5-liter turbocharged four cylinder cranking out 158 horses mated with a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission. All Jetta’s provide front-wheel drive standard. Regular 87-octane fuel helps generate decent fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon city and 35 mpg highway.
A start/top function temporarily quiets the engine at prolonged stops improving fuel economy. Take the right foot off the brake pedal and the powertrain snaps back to attention. Jetta’s design provides minimal shimmy when summoned back from its dormant stage but an audible rumble is heard. It deactivates via a push button near the vertical sliding transmission handle between front buckets.
One of the few GLI available packaged extras is the ‘Black Package’ ($650) featuring 18-inch black alloy wheels.
The price of our blue tester featuring the dual clutch automatic transmission (at no extra cost) stuffed full of just about every available item started at $32,715 and added the $650 Black Package. After adding a $1,225 destination charge, the bottom line stretched to $34,590. A base 2025 non-GLI Jetta starts at $23,200.
Included in all GLIs, VW’s IQ.DRIVE suite of safety assist packaging including rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, active cruise control (automatically speeding and slowing the vehicle when on the highway based on radar technology) and lane keep assist.
A multi-link rear suspension includes stiffer springs and a .06 lower stance along with sport-tuned gas-filled shock absorbers. Handling and cornering receive an assist from an electronic Cross Differential System (also known as XDS). The XDS actively monitors data from each wheel sensor, helping reduce understeer by automatically applying braking during cornering.
Unique to VW Jetta GLI’s exterior and not found in the conventional versions, red underscoring of the lower front air dam which continues up the sides into the fog lamp region forming an elongated “U” accent. Red accents also appear on brake calipers.
From a profile view, Jetta GLI Autobahn includes a horizontal character line beginning at the upper end of wrap-around trunk tail housing and extending through body-colored strap-handles ending at the front fender before reaching the rounded wheel well structure. Rear C pillars include a narrow stance. Jetta exudes a conservative confidence without harsh chiseled corners.
The circular, iconic V over W logo centers the narrow grille with a built-in beam-like light bar flanked by headlight house featuring three diminutive LED type jewel-like bulbs integrated with daytime running lights. The lower back end includes a chrome-tipped dual exhaust.
Both the driver and front passenger seats come heated and ventilated with the driver’s side power-operated and the shotgun side manually adjustable with the assist of an oval-ended under-seat pull bar. Seating positions are lower than traditional crossovers but higher than what’s found in two-door sports cars. The GLI interior includes red stitched accents on the dash and seats with a black headliner. All five seating positions provide ample headroom and ceiling grab handles. A rather substantial vertical floor hump limits leg room for the middle person seated in the back row, so two adults fit with optimal comfort. Seat backs fold with a 60/40 split to access the trunk.
A red swath adorns the three-spoke steering wheel’s flat bottom. Padded leatherette door inserts come standard as does a power opening/tilting sunroof. The MQB platform maximizes inside room providing the compact Jetta with a mid-size atmosphere. A pull-tab opening the trunk locates on the driver’s door.
The eight-inch multi-function flat screen elevates slightly above the central dash, not an in-dash design and skews towards the driver. It’s completely separate from the electronic instrument panel. An HVAC unit positions below the screen and a pair of manually-adjusting air vents with a pressure sensitive design.
A gentle touch or slide of a finger, not a hard press, activates commands. A white slide bar adjusts fan speed while dual front zone temperatures raise up or fall down by a designated point near the digital temperature read out. Above the slide bar, a half dozen or so push buttons including heated/ventilated seats and mode button. All nice but not the convenience and ease of VW’s old-school manually-operated tri twist dials. A secondary solution exists by selecting HVAC commands through a touch screen menu.
Between front buckets, one finds the circular, electronic start/stop button summoning the internal combustion engine, a more convenient location than the lower dash (many rivals locate it there) where the steering column and turn signal stalk at times block easy access. Also in the region, an electronic parking brake and push button for selecting one of five drive modes. Each choice reflects within the 10.25-inch digital instrument panel with four different view selections always flanked by vertical, bar-type, back lit columns at each end reflecting fuel limits and oil temperature readouts.
A flat, wireless charging pad comes standard up front as do a couple of the newer-generation USB Type C plug ports. Download the my ‘VW mobile app’ to a compatible Smartphone to access ‘Car-Net’ adding a number of in-screen features and connectivity (navigation, infotainment) some of which require a monthly stipend. Remote start and speed alerts are part of Car Net. A base plan arrives free of charge for the first seven years.
A tri-bar dashboard design borrows from the exterior’s narrow front grille theme. The tri-bar format with a center brushed aluminum midline stretches along the dash on the passenger side from the center screen with a cloaked air vent at the end. The same tri-bar vent style adorns the driver side left of the steering column. Glove box dimensions rate larger than expected inside a compact-sized sedan.
Total VW U.S. sales in 2023 reached 329,029 (a 9 percent increase from the previous 12-month cycle) with Jetta GTI tagged for 7,451 (up 7.6 percent) units and the conventional Jetta itself) reaching 47,408 (up 29 percent).
Jetta, as with all 2025 VWs sold in the U.S., includes VW’s Carefree Coverage as part of the purchase experience providing checkups (including oil changes) at one and two year intervolves at a participating dealer. Volkswagen also adds three years (or 36,000 miles) of roadside assistance and a four-year 50,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty that’s transferable to the next owner up to the time-mile duration.
For those seeking mainstream sedan travel with decent fuel mileage and a sporty attitude, Jetta GLI fits the bill and deserves heavy consideration.
2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn
Price as tested: $34,590
Engine: Turbocharged 2.0-liter four cylinder
Horsepower: 228
Wheelbase: 105.7 inches
Overall Length: 186.5 inches
Overall Width: 70.8 inches
Overall Height: 57.7 inches
Fuel Economy: 25 mpg city, 35 mpg highway
Curb Weight: 3,311 pounds
Assembly: Pueblo, Mexico
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