Volkswagen’s Jetta GLI is among the few sporty sedans remaining on the market with a manual transmission, and with an update for the 2025 model year Volkswagen is giving the GLI buyer even more. Jetta continues to prove its worth in the VW lineup, outselling the Taos and Atlas Cross Sport. Perhaps this is a sign that the world is realizing how great sedans are again. And if the GLI is any indication, the manual transmission sedan is worth fighting for. This new MK8 model looks like a banger.
On the outside the new car gets a revised front fascia, which looks spectacular with its aggressive wide red line around the bottom of the bumper. Also new are the 18-inch wheels available in silver or black. And there are a pair of new colors, Monterey Blue Pearl and Monument Gray.
Inside, the Jetta (and GLI) gets a pretty comprehensive remodel. It’s adapting the interior design Volkswagen introduced on the Atlas, including an 8-inch infotainment system, full-width air vents, and (unfortunately) piano black trim. The infotainment screen does keep its shortcut buttons and knobs. The much-hated touch-controls for the climate system are back, but have been revamped with backlighting and peaks and valleys have been added for tactile wayfinding.
Now that the boilerplate stuff is out of the way, let’s celebrate the good here. Obviously we’re excited that Volkswagen has chosen to retain the stick for the GLI, in spite of making its hatchback GTI sibling a DSG-only machine. Power still comes from the known-quantity 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft two-liter turbocharged inline four. You can, of course, option a seven-speed DSG for your GLI, but you’d only do that if you’re a coward, and you’re not a coward, are you?
The base model Jetta S has seen a price decrease of about $160, though GLI pricing hasn’t been announced yet. I don’t expect it to change much, as the bones of the car all remain the same as they were last year.