2026 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Review, Pricing, and Specs
VW's recipe for the GLI isn't complex: Start with the more pedestrian Jetta sedan and increase its engine displacement to 2.0 liters and the pony count to 228 horsepower. Then upgrade the suspension with adaptive dampers and give shoppers a choice of transmissions: a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
Keep the price reasonable, the handling sharp, and the ride comfortable. Then bulk up the standard-features list with several amenities (like leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats) and lots of driver aids. Voila! You have the 2026 Jetta GLI.
Expert Tip: If you like the GLI but want a little more muscle and cargo space, the Volkswagen Golf GTI hatchback is worth a look. The six-speed manual comes off the table, though.
What's New for 2026?
The Jetta GLI is largely unchanged for 2026, but it gains an eight-speaker stereo system and some steering-wheel buttons.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The price of the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is expected to start around $34,000.
Autobahn
$34,000 (est) 0 $10k $20k $30k $40k $50k $60k
Every 2026 GLI comes in Autobahn trim, with adaptive dampers, leather upholstery, lots of driver-assistance features, and a great infotainment setup. All you have to do is select the transmission. We'd opt for the stick shift, as we're still out to save them. Plus, the manual car costs less and returns better fuel economy.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Engine: 228-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder
228-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder Transmissions: 6-speed manual; 7-speed dual-clutch automatic
6-speed manual; 7-speed dual-clutch automatic Drivetrain: front-wheel drive
The GLI is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. (The current GTI gets a 241-hp version of this engine.) A six-speed manual transmission is standard, and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is optional. Regardless of which setup you choose, the GLI is significantly quicker than the regular Jetta, which comes with a 158-hp engine. The stick shift is easy and satisfying to row. Our only complaint with the automatic is its hesitancy to downshift during spirited driving. Even so, the Jetta GLI is fun to drive, providing feelsome steering, strong brakes, and a compliant ride on its adaptive dampers, but it could use a set of summer tires to improve its cornering grip. (The hatchback GTI offers stickier rubber, but the sedan comes exclusively with all-seasons.)
0–60-MPH Times
C/D 60-mph Tests: 6.0 seconds (manual); 5.6 seconds (automatic)
In Comparison: In terms of acceleration, the VW Jetta GLI bests the Honda Civic Si (which needs 6.6 seconds to reach 60) but lags behind the Hyundai Elantra N (which needs only 4.8 seconds to hit the mark).
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Marc Urbano
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Car and Driver
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
C/D 75-mph Highway Fuel-Economy Test: 26 mpg
26 mpg EPA City Ratings: 25-26 mpg
25-26 mpg EPA Highway Ratings: 35-36 mpg
The EPA hasn't released fuel-economy information for the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta GLI yet, but the 2025 manual-equipped model earns ratings of 26 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. With the automatic, the GLI posts only slightly worse numbers: 25 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. We don't expect these estimates to change for the 2026 model. For more information about the Jetta GLI's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
First Row: While VW could've used nicer materials and bulked up the seat bolsters some, the GLI is at least spacious for a compact sedan and packed with goodies like a 10.3-inch digital gauge cluster, customizable ambient interior lighting, heated and ventilated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof.
Second Row: VW's compact sedan offers more rear-seat legroom than the GTI hatch. Average-sized adults can sit in the back of the GLI without banging their knees.
Cargo Capacity: This compact sedan has a sizable trunk, offering 14.1 cubic feet of space and capable of holding seven carry-on suitcases.
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Marc Urbano
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Car and Driver
Infotainment and Connectivity
Infotainment: 8.0-inch touchscreen
8.0-inch touchscreen Connectivity: Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility Audio System: 8-speaker stereo
The Jetta GLI has a user-friendly infotainment system featuring an 8.0-inch touchscreen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functions. A Wi-Fi hotspot, an eight-speaker stereo, and wireless device charging are also standard.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The Jetta GLI is loaded with standard driver-assistance technology, including automatic high-beam headlights and lane-keeping assist.
Standard Safety Features: adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross-traffic alert
For information about the Jetta GLI's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
The Volkswagen Jetta GLI has an above-average limited warranty for its class but below-average powertrain coverage. To offset the latter, the company provides some complimentary maintenance.
Limited Warranty: four years or 50,000 miles
four years or 50,000 miles Powertrain Warranty: four years or 50,000 miles
four years or 50,000 miles Complimentary Maintenance: two years or 20,000 miles
C/D Test Results and Specs
Whenever a model debuts or sees significant revisions, we test it and publish the results. While the chart below may list data for an earlier model year, the numbers still apply to the current model, as it hasn't seen meaningful changes and doesn't warrant a new test.
Specifications
Specifications
2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI
Vehicle Type: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $33,940/$35,045
Options: GLI Black package (black wheels, mirror caps, and trunk-lid spoiler), $650; Monument Gray with Deep Black roof, $455
ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, iron block and aluminum head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 121 in3, 1984 cm3
Power: 228 hp @ 6700 rpm
Torque: 258 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm
TRANSMISSION
6-speed manual
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 13.4-in vented disc/11.8-in disc
Tires: Hankook Kinergy GT
225/45R-18 91H M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 105.6 in
Length: 186.9 in
Width: 70.8 in
Height: 57.3 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 51/43 ft3
Trunk Volume: 14 ft3
Curb Weight: 3537 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 6.0 sec
100 mph: 14.0 sec
1/4-Mile: 14.5 sec @ 102 mph
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.4 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.8 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 12.5 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 8.8 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 126 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 177 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 363 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.88 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 26 mpg
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 30/26/36 mpg
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