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Car and Driver
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
2026 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Review, Pricing, and Specs
Overview 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). View Photos Marc Urbano | 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. View Photos Marc Urbano | 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 More Features and Specs
Car and Driver
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
2026 Volkswagen Jetta Review, Pricing, and Specs
Overview As compact cars have fallen out of favor in the automotive zeitgeist, affordable and efficient four-doors like the Volkswagen Jetta have become increasingly rare. That's especially true if you're looking for a compact car of German origin, as the Jetta is the final holdout following the standard Golf hatchback's demise. With a starting price below key rivals like the Honda Civic and Mazda 3, the Jetta is a value play. Its cabin is spacious, its 158-hp turbocharged inline-four gas engine boasts great fuel efficiency, and it comes chock-full of standard features. It might not be the most exciting compact around (look to the Jetta GLI if that's what you're after), but the Jetta's value proposition is hard to deny. What's New for 2026? After a substantial refresh last year, the Jetta gets only minor packaging tweaks for 2026. All Jetta trims now benefit from rear seatbelt pretensioners. The SE trim now comes with a sunroof as standard equipment, and the top-tier SEL model gets an eight-speaker premium VW audio system. Pricing and Which One to Buy The price of the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta is expected to start around $24,000 and go up to $31,000 depending on the trim and options. S $24,000 (est) Sport $26,000 (est) SE $27,000 (est) SEL $31,000 (est) 0 $10k $20k $30k $40k $50k While it's hard to ignore the S model's bargain price, the Sport trim hits the sweet spot for just a few dollars more. The Sport trim justifies its title with a front anti-roll bar, VW's XDS brake-based limited-slip differential, and standard 17-inch alloys. On the feature side are heated front seats, stainless-steel pedal trim, black window trim and mirror caps, and a 60/40 folding rear seat; all in, it's a steal for a moderate price increase. However, if power seats, remote start, satellite radio, and wireless charging are dealbreakers, you'll need to step up to the SE. Engine, Transmission, and Performance The 2026 Jetta carries over with the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder making 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The six-speed manual is now only available in the Jetta GLI, so the eight-speed automatic handles gear swaps regardless of trim. In our initial test drive, we found that the updated model drives much the same as before. The chassis is tuned more for a quiet and comfortable ride than razor-edge handling, but that doesn't mean it's not entertaining within its limits; just know that its steering isn't as precise as its GLI sibling's or even the Mazda 3's. In this case, "performance" means a pleasant personality that doesn't mind stretching its legs when called upon. 0–60-MPH Times The last Jetta SEL we strapped our test gear to knocked off the dash to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds. View Photos Volkswagen More on the Jetta Sedan 2025 Jetta 1.5T Doesn't Save the Manuals Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG The EPA hasn't released any fuel economy information for the 2026 Jetta yet, but last year's Sport, SE, and SEL trims tied for top efficiency honors with an EPA-estimated 29 mpg city and 40 mpg highway. The base Jetta interestingly received a slightly lower rating, checking in with 29 mpg city and 39 mpg highway. We're pleased to report that previous Jetta models with the automatic exceeded their EPA Highway estimates in our 75-mph fuel-economy route, returning an impressive 42 mpg. For more information about the Jetta's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website. Interior, Comfort, and Cargo The Jetta provides a satisfying amount of front passenger head, shoulder, and legroom. The rear passenger compartment is reasonably roomy as well. The interior's design is contemporary, if not particularly fashionable, and although the feature content increases with each higher trim, every cabin caters to the driver and boasts excellent outward visibility. The base S has cloth upholstery, manually adjustable seats, useful door pockets, and a deep center console bin. Features including ambient interior lighting, wireless device charging, and ventilated front seats are reserved for the most expensive models. Though the Golf GTI hatchback trades partially on its cargo capacity, our testing revealed the Jetta held seven bags out of sight in its trunk, whereas the Golf swallowed only five behind its rear seat. Likewise, the Jetta held three extra bags more than the Golf (18 total) with the back seats folded, so there's no need to feel like you're forgoing cargo space by selecting the Jetta over a Golf. View Photos Volkswagen Infotainment and Connectivity Jetta S, Sport, and SE trims get a basic 8-inch digital gauge cluster; the SEL gets a 10.3-inch fully customizable setup. Thankfully, the tiny but useful hard knobs for volume and tuning on either side of the touchscreen remain. We're less excited about the exit of the previous Jetta's simple and familiar three-dial HVAC control setup, replaced here with a more finicky touch setup as seen in other VW products. A 4-speaker audio system is standard, the SE improves things with a six-speaker setup, and the SEL gets an eight-speaker Beats Audio rig. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability are baked in (wireless is standard on the SE and SEL), and VW's Car-Net feature allows for gesture controls such as swiping and pinch-to-zoom. Two USB-C ports are standard. Every Jetta has a mobile hotspot as long as you're willing to pay for a subscription-based data plan, and wireless charging is standard on the top two trim levels. Safety and Driver-Assistance Features Even the entry-level Jetta comes with a handful of standard driver-assistance technology, and upgraded equipment such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist are all available. For more information about the Jetta's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include: Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking Standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert Available adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology Warranty and Maintenance Coverage Volkswagen has an above-average limited warranty and below-average powertrain coverage. To offset the latter, the company provides some complimentary maintenance. Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Complimentary maintenance is covered for two years or 20,000 miles Specifications Specifications 2025 Volkswagen Jetta Vehicle Type: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan PRICE Base: S, $23,220; Sport, $24,500; SE, $26,200; SEL, $30,225 ENGINE turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection Displacement: 91 in3, 1498 cm3 Power: 158 hp @ 5500 rpm Torque: 184 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm TRANSMISSION 8-speed automatic DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 105.7 in Length: 186.5 in Width: 70.8 in Height: 57.7 in Passenger Volume, F/R: 51/43 ft3 Trunk Volume: 14 ft3 Curb Weight (C/D est): 3100 lb PERFORMANCE (C/D EST) 60 mph: 7.1 sec 1/4-Mile: 15.5 sec Top Speed: 126 mph EPA FUEL ECONOMY Combined/City/Highway: 33/29/39–40 mpg More Features and Specs
