2025 Volkswagen Jetta proves sedans aren't dead

Volkswagen of America has given the 2025 Jetta and GLI compact sedans a bold update with refreshed exteriors and interiors. The new design features Golf-inspired grille elements and LED headlights, while inside, the dashboard boasts an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen.

The Jetta retains a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 158 hp and 184 pound-feet of torque. The sportier Jetta GLI packs a 2.0-liter engine that cranks out 228 hp and 258 pound-feet of torque. It offers both a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and a six-speed manual transmission.

The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta kicks off at $23,220 — $240 less than the 2024 model, including shipping— and will reach U.S. dealerships by the end of the third quarter. We've rounded up some early reviews from the automotive press.

"To create the GLI, Volkswagen starts with the Jetta compact sedan and dips it into the same special sauce that's traditionally made the Golf GTI hatchback much more flavorful than a standard Golf: more turbocharged horsepower and tightened-up suspension. The GLI's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder provides 228 overachieving horsepower harnessed to either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic — the latter enabling sub-6.0 second rip to 60 mph. We'd choose the slightly less quick stick, though, as its smooth-shifting nature is easy to live with in daily driving and adds an extra dose of driver engagement when you want to get frisky. For times when you don't, the Jetta GLI offers a comfortable ride and a quiet cabin — making it a more relaxed option to more focused rivals such as the Honda Civic Si and the Hyundai Elantra N. If you're shopping in the sport compact car class, a sharper handling sedan might be more to your liking. If so, those two GLI rivals are worth a look. But if you're in the market for a dual-purpose sedan that's up for tussling with twisty roads but can also be chill on your daily commute, you'll find that the GLI deftly walks that line.

"The GLI looks a little more modern for 2025, even as its mechanicals are unchanged from the previous model year. A reshaped front bumper, new headlamps and a revised grille give the sporty compact sedan a sharper look. The rear end sees a similar update, with a new full-width light bar connecting the tail lamps across the trunk lid. Inside, the GLI's dashboard has been redesigned to incorporate a new 8.0-inch infotainment screen."

– Drew Dorian, Car and Driver

"Most Jetta models have a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 158 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 184 pound-feet of torque at 1,750 rpm. An eight-speed automatic transmission powers the car's front wheels.

"That engine debuted in the 2022 Jetta and boasted numerous engineering enhancements designed to preserve power while improving fuel economy. Volkswagen estimates the 2025 Jetta will return 33 mpg in combined driving, which aligns with my observed 31.8 mpg driving in the city, on the highway, and in the mountains near Pasadena, Calif.

"Equipped to perform as a legitimate sports sedan, the 2025 Jetta GLI continues with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine good for 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Notably, it still offers a six-speed manual transmission, a feature the updated 2025 VW Golf GTI goes without. If you can't drive a stick, you can get the Jetta GLI with a no-cost optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

"The Jetta GLI also features a 0.6-inch lowered sport suspension with adaptive damping and employs a more sophisticated rear independent multilink design compared to the standard Jetta's simple torsion beam setup. In addition, the GLI has larger brakes, a front torque-sensing limited-slip differential, and progressive variable-ratio steering.

"For the 2025 model year, Volkswagen adds the GLI's stiffer and 0.6-inch lower suspension to the Sport, SE, and SEL trim levels (but without the adaptive dampers and independent rear end). This seemingly small change makes the less powerful versions of the car more engaging to drive, particularly with the 18-inch wheels available for the SE and standard for the SEL.

"Volkswagen also equips the GLI with the appropriately named Autobahn trim. Loosely translated, that means [it is] fast, it is capable, and [it is] fully loaded with everything you get in the Jetta SEL plus sport seats, touch-sensing steering wheel controls, and exclusive styling details like red accents, a black headliner, and stainless steel pedals."

– Christian Wardlaw, J.D. Power

"The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta is a sign that sedans aren't dead — at least not for Volkswagen. While others are axing the low-slung four-doors from their lineups, the Jetta remains VW's third-best seller in the United States behind the Tiguan and Atlas. For 2025, the Jetta gets some light updates to spruce it up for its loyal customers, and we got to drive it — along with the sporty GLI — to refresh our memories.

"Outside, the Jetta gets a little bit of a nip and tuck up front and in the rear. The upper and lower grilles have been updated, and it gets new LED headlights with an available light bar across the nose. In back, there's a slight tweak to the trunk lid, along with a standard light bar stretching across it. The Jetta SE gets new 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, while the SEL and GLI get 18-inchers. The SE and GLI are also offered with black wheel packages. Finally, two new exterior colors join the palette: Monterey Blue Pearl and Monument Grey.

"Inside, the dash has been revised with a new design comprising three horizontal bars flanking the standard 8-inch infotainment touchscreen and gauge cluster, and helping to camouflage the air vents. No matter which trim you choose, you get the "Climatronic" touch controls for the HVAC, which we've started to get used to — we've found that tapping either the red or blue end is considerably easier than trying to precisely slide your finger to adjust the temperature, especially if you're trying to keep your eyes on the road. We usually prefer the functionality of something more tactile, like the older HVAC knobs the Jetta used to use, but the sliders definitely give the cabin a more upscale appearance. The 8-inch infotainment display still feels a little dated, but wireless Apple CarPlay made life easy on us when trying to listen to our own tunes while navigating with Waze. And, thankfully, the Jetta employs volume and tuning knobs, as well as infotainment buttons to the sides of the actual screen, which make menu navigation easier. We appreciated the "Digital Cockpit" that comes standard in the Jetta, measuring 8 inches in the S, Sport and SE, or 10.25 inches in the SEL and GLI."

– John Snyder, AutoBlog

"The most significant improvements happen inside the Jetta's roomy and refined cabin, which gets even better for 2025. All models get a refreshed dash design with a standard 8-inch touchscreen angled toward the driver. Dual-zone automatic climate control is also added and fitted with a haptic touch control panel. While black is still the overarching theme inside the Jetta, upper-level trims offer more color, including blue and brown upholstery.

"The driver-focused layout works well, accompanied by supportive front seats that hold the body firmly. An 8-inch digital instrument cluster is another standard feature uncommon at this price point, with the SEL and GLI upgraded to a larger 10.25-inch configurable unit.

"Overall, the interior space is generous, with rear legroom of 37.4 inches, which is comparable to the Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra. The Jetta's 14.1 cubic-foot trunk matches most of its competitors.

"We find the Jetta's styling subtle but purposeful. A refreshed front end features a new grille and LED headlights, with some trims adding a nifty light bar running along the grille's lower edge, and a new trunklid light bar. It's been said that wheels make the car, and VW's designs certainly qualify, especially on the upper-level SE, SEL, and GLI, with new exclusive wheel designs available this year. Also new for 2025 are Monterey Blue Pearl and Monument Gray, two subtle yet eye-catching shades that are sure to turn heads."

– Joe Tralongo, Kelley Blue Book

"Although we'll need more time for a comprehensive review, our initial impressions of the new 2025 Jetta were positive. The 1.5-liter turbo-four engine, which made its debut with this generation, carries over to the 2025 model, delivering 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, this engine provides the Jetta with decent power, handling L.A.'s steep roads with ease.

"Although the Jetta isn't the most powerful sedan in its segment, its low-end torque provides a decent push. However, the downside is a noticeable lack of power at higher speeds, making it challenging to overtake quickly on the freeway. Overall, the powertrain works well in most situations, with the gearbox delivering smooth and well-timed shifts.

"Our SEL model felt well planted on Angeles Crest Highway, one of L.A.'s most iconic mountain roads. The suspension did a commendable job of minimizing body roll, and it delivered a composed ride on city streets. The steering leans toward the lighter side, but it's still precise, particularly on winding roads. The 2025 Jetta delivers 29/39/33 mpg city/highway/combined fuel economy, slightly lower than last year's figures."

– Miguel Cortina, Motor Trend

"The first Jetta GLI was introduced 40 years ago, and this 2025 model retains the spirit of the original as an engaging sporty car with all the practicality and usability of the spacious and affordable Jetta. What's new for 2025? Not a ton, and that'sOK. VW restyled the front end, which now aligns better with the rest of Volkswagen's lineup and looks far more modern and attractive. The rear gains a full-width tail light bar, and inside there's a new dash design with a larger tablet-style infotainment screen and touch-sensitive climate controls.

"Unfortunately for serious bargain hunters, the Jetta GLI is now only offered in top Autobahn trim; all other trim levels have been eliminated. This means the cheapest GLI now costs a still-reasonable $33,940 (including $1,225 for destination), and neither transmission option saves you any dough. My test car rang in at $35,045 thanks to its optional gorgeous Kings Red paint job and Black Package that blacks out the mirror caps and the roof.

"What doesn't change in the 2025 update is the powertrain. Volkswagen's much-loved EA888 turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 engine still lives under the Jetta's restyled hood, and it produces the same 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque as last year. It can be mated to a six-speed manual transmission like my test car or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, if you insist. I'm not an automatic transmission hater, but the 2025 Jetta GLI is the only new Volkswagen offered with three pedals in the U.S., so it deserves to be celebrated for that. The GLI also retains the outgoing car's independent rear suspension and limited-slip front differential, two very important pieces of the fun-to-drive puzzle.

"Driving the GLI is a joyful experience regardless of the setting, but let's start with the fun stuff. Be warned — driving the GLI like a hooligan may produce side effects like excessive grinning and giggling, because this thing is a hoot. Select Sport mode, and the GLI's steering and adaptive dampers firm up while the speakers let the fizzy EA888's sounds fill the cabin. Drop the clutch, let the front tires find grip, and ride the hefty wave of torque to the 6,500 rpm redline."

– Logan Carter, Jalopnik

"The 2025 GLI is the only Jetta available with a six-speed manual. My test car had the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic with paddle shifters instead, which was fine. It's the gearbox that about 70 percent of GLI customers opt for, anyway. Sport Mode awakens the throttle response, stiffens the standard Dynamic Chassis Control adaptive dampers, increases the sound of the exhaust note inside the cabin, and holds the revs high in anticipation of your right foot. Never once did I feel the transmission shift up a gear too early, and it's always eager to shift down when needed. It enhances all the noises I love to hear, too—sorry, neighbors.

"Normal, Comfort, and Eco Modes still work as advertised, taming the suspension, throttle response, and exhaust note. Your passengers will appreciate them, but I barely remember they existed when I laid into the throttle, soaking up the sound of the turbo and waiting for the pops and burbles from the exhaust. Even if the piped-in engine noise is a bit raspy, it's still awesome."

– Anthony Alaniz, Motor 1