The Volkswagen Jetta GLI will get a mid-cycle refresh, finally updating the car while sticking around $30,000.
The manual transmission is dead, or so every car manufacturer would have you think. Volkswagen has just refreshed the Jetta GLI for the 2025 model year and it retains every single bit of itself that has kept it one of the hottest sedans for car enthusiasts. Starting at $30,000, the Jetta GLI fits into a niche category of vehicles that’s fast disappearing—cheap, quick, and fun.
The GLI will be one of the last remaining cars in the United States sold with a manual transmission and one of only two VW’s to make it stateside that comes with a row-your-own. The new Jetta gets a facelift, looking more refined and streamlined than the outgoing design. New headlights completely change the front fascia. The new GLI will get a minor boost in style points joining the long list of LED light bars connecting two points on either bumper.
The rear end also gets a major update, with a light bar conjoining the taillights. Both bumpers get new sculpts and the GLI will end up wearing new wheels. The GLI gets new 18-inch wheels along with a brand new black optics package for said shoes. The car can also sport two fresh color options—Monument Gray and Monterey Blue Pearl.
On the interior, the Jetta gets a completely refreshed dashboard that updates and modernizes the car, finally bringing it up to snuff.
The new GLI won’t get anything new underneath the hood but in reality, it doesn’t need to. The GLI already has 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. For around 30 grand, it’s not a bad deal at all. Volkswagen has opted to not fix what ain’t broke with the GLI, something we can all appreciate.
Volkswagen will still feature the 2.0 liter four-cylinder with the option for either a six-speed manual or a dual-clutch transmission. The decision for us is easy though, #savethemanuals. The GLI is one of the best value propositions that’s available in the car market today.
With beefier brakes, a limited-slip differential, and adaptive dampers, there’s not much more you can get for the same cost as a lowly-equipped Toyota Camry these days.
It’s easy to see why the GLI has been one of the better options for car enthusiasts, there’s truly only so much you can get with under $50,000 when it comes to value-packed vehicles. Volkswagen has done a bang-up job of making one.
