The Volkswagen Jetta is a comfortable family cruiser with solid value and sporty styling, but its performance hasn’t been the most exciting. That’s where the uprated GLI trim comes into play, bringing a larger turbocharged engine with a significant power boost, more aggressive styling, and a more upscale interior.
- What’s New for the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta GLI
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta GLI
The GLI gets more standard safety features, more generous comfort and interior features, and a new 40th Anniversary model for the 2024 model year. The Jetta’s last refresh happened in 2022, so the car could be due for another update in the near future.
Design
The Jetta is larger now than it was to start, but its friendly sedan proportions are unmistakable. VW gave the 2024 GLI a more muscular look with a high beltline and sculpted sides, and the new front-end design makes the car look larger than it is, at least from a head-on angle. It comes standard with 18-inch wheels and gets a power sunroof at no extra charge.
Powertrain
The standard Jetta comes with a 1.5-liter turbo-four making 158 horsepower, but the GLI’s larger 2.0-liter unit gives it a significantly better 228 hp and 258 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, and VW offers a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
The GLI’s performance isn’t on par with the Golf GTI hatchback, but it’s head and shoulders above that of the standard Jetta. Acceleration is quicker, and a front limited-slip differential helps manage cornering speeds and handling. The upgrades don’t make the GLI a super-thrilling sports sedan, but they are a notable improvement over the standard car and make the Jetta much more engaging to drive.
Interior
The GLI’s interior looks sportier than the standard car, but it retains the comfort and space that make the Jetta a solid compact family car. The front seats are deep, nicely padded, and supportive, offering good space for adults. The rear bench offers decent support, but seating three across is less than comfortable for adults. Leather comes standard on the Autobahn-only GLI, and heated/ventilated front seats come by default. The rear seats fold to open a larger trunk space, and the car comes standard with ambient LED interior lighting.
Technology
The 2024 Jetta GLI gets an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s paired with a BeatsAudio sound system and wireless charging. Volkswagen’s fantastic Digital Cockpit Pro system runs on a configurable 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, which offers maps, audio, vehicle information, and more. Other standard tech includes SiriusXM radio, VW app connect, HD radio, and keyless entry with push-button start.
Safety
The 2024 Jetta missed out on an Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) due to middling performance in some portions of the agency’s updated crash tests. Even so, it has a generous number of advanced driver aids, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and more.
Pricing
The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 40th Anniversary starts at $29,310, which includes a $1,225 destination charge. The GLI Autobahn trim starts at $33,010.