Starts at $32,715
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Pros
Cons
What's New for 2025?
Significantly revised this year, the Jetta GLI gets crisper exterior styling that's complemented by standard LED headlights, while inside there's a reshaped dashboard that unfortunately uses a touch-based climate control system rather than last year's foolproof three-knob layout. The significant price increase compared to 2024 is largely due to the fact that the well-equipped Autobahn trim is now the sole offering.
FAST FACTS
"It may seem odd that the GLI's competing against the GTI in this segment, but that's just because the GTI almost the only sport-compact hatchback left — it has nowhere else to go. Everything else in here is a sedan, and the GLI acquits itself quite well on the merits, from its sweet 2.0T four-cylinder engine to its athletic handling and exemplary high-speed composure. VW even decided to keep offering the three-pedal manual transmission with the GLI's refresh for 2025, which incidentally brought crisper styling that keeps this aging model looking fresh. Throw in nice-to-haves like a big backseat and good fuel economy, and you've got a recipe for a great affordable sport sedan, even if the mandatory 8-inch touchscreen looks and feels behind the times."—Ranked #4 out of 7 Sport Compact Cars
Publisher and Donkey-in-Chief
Josh has been reviewing cars professionally since joining Edmunds.com fresh out of grad school in 2008, personally driving most new cars on the market every year since. He also served as the project manager for Edmunds' expert vehicle rankings from their inception in 2018, building the product out from the back end to the front end. Josh is a card-carrying member of the Motor Press Guild and a lifelong car nut who has tested, compared and critiqued a ridiculous number of cars in his career.
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