2008 Volkswagen GLI Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The 2008 GLI, formerly a Jetta, competes in the sport compact sedan class against the likes of the Acura TSX, Chevy Malibu, Nissan Sentra, MAZDA3, Civic Si, and Subaru's WRX and Legacy GT models. Reviewers believe VW's entry can hold its own.
The GLI model is powered only by a turbocharged, direct-injected 2.0-liter inline four that produces 200 hp at 5,100-6,000 rpm and 207 lb-ft of torque at 1,800-5,000 rpm. One of two transmissions sends power to the front wheels - a six-speed manual or a high-tech six-speed DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) sequential-shift transmission. VW gives a faster 0-60 time for the DSG-equipped GLI - 6.9 seconds for the tricked-out automatic vs. 7.2 seconds for the manual. Top speed is governed to 127 mph. Consumer Guide managed 6.8 seconds with the DSG, but noted turbo lag, particularly from a standing start. The EPA rates the manual at 21/29 mpg, with the automatic at 22/29 mpg; premium fuel is recommended.
All reviewers praise the GLI's suspension and handling. Edmunds says it "strikes a near-perfect balance between a comfortable ride and sporty handling" with "precise, communicative steering." Body lean is minimal through tight curves, brakes are strong, and Consumer Guide says the car's handling is "a class standout." Yet that review was the only one to fault the ride as, "jiggly, thumpy, and borderline harsh."
Everyone was impressed with the high-quality, European-styled interior and attention to build detail. Reviews note great legroom in front and adequate room in back, though some felt the back seats were uncomfortable with three adults. Aggressively bolstered front seats and a tilt and telescoping steering wheel that has audio controls, remote trunk release, and remote window operation facilitate driver fit and control. The list of standard equipment is impressive, including such items as a compass, trip computer, external temperature display, heated and powered mirrors, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, alloy trim on the doors and dash, AM/FM/satellite-capable radio, ten speakers, and a six-disc CD player with MP3 capability and output.
The trunk's cargo space is impressive for a compact car, with 16 cubic feet that are augmented by 60/40 rear folding seats, nonintrusive trunk hinges, and a large aperture for easy access.
The list of standard safety equipment is long and includes stability and traction control, ABS brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, a tire pressure monitoring system, emergency assist, front-seat side airbags, and full-length head curtain airbags with optional side airbags for the rear.
The GLI is a solid, well-engineered sport compact for those who like their performance with a German accent.
Published Aug 8, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 2008 Volkswagen GLI
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by Rick N
Mar 05, 2015
Positives - Performance, Safety, sporty look and feel, 6 speed manual, premium sound and roomy cargo space.
Negatives - Premium Fuel, 90 Octane or higher, maintenance is above average, and cabin noise is above average as well due to noise maker in engine compartment.Mar 05, 2015
by Don H
Feb 14, 2011
Great power, Great handling, loads of fun to drive. This is my third v-dub, previously I have had a 2006 Passat and a 1996 GTI VR6. Their is just nothing like a volpkswagen in my opinion. The fit and finish is unlike any other car in its classFeb 14, 2011
by Conner M
Apr 21, 2010
Perfect. 6 speed manual makes every gear feel like 3rd gear. H&R springs make cornering a dream. Awesome factory 10 speaker system with 6 cd changer. Even the base model has plenty of safety features like 10 airbags! Had it for over a year now and not ONE thing had needed to be replaced/repaired.Apr 21, 2010
User rating:
by Rick N
Mar 05, 2015
Positives - Performance, Safety, sporty look and feel, 6 speed manual, premium sound and roomy cargo space.
Negatives - Premium Fuel, 90 Octane or higher, maintenance is above average, and cabin noise is above average as well due to noise maker in engine compartment.Mar 05, 2015
by Don H
Feb 14, 2011
Great power, Great handling, loads of fun to drive. This is my third v-dub, previously I have had a 2006 Passat and a 1996 GTI VR6. Their is just nothing like a volpkswagen in my opinion. The fit and finish is unlike any other car in its classFeb 14, 2011
by Conner M
Apr 21, 2010
Perfect. 6 speed manual makes every gear feel like 3rd gear. H&R springs make cornering a dream. Awesome factory 10 speaker system with 6 cd changer. Even the base model has plenty of safety features like 10 airbags! Had it for over a year now and not ONE thing had needed to be replaced/repaired.Apr 21, 2010
by Doug A
Mar 18, 2010
It is awesome. It is the perfect mix of performance and useability. It is able to carry five people when I need it to for business, yet it is able to get to 100kph in under 6 seconds when I want to hit the highway. Mar 18, 2010
by Anonymous
Feb 28, 2010
It quality is great well build has no issues. Very quick 0-60 9.1 seconds 2.0 16v. very expensive to own spark plug wires 200.00. its really a blast to drive takes corners tight. all in all its an awesome car. Feb 28, 2010
by Joshua S
Dec 03, 2009
Awesome Car, excellent power, very fun to drive. VWs
quality shines through with the GLI. From the
bolstered plaid seats (throwback to the original MK1
GTI), to the standard Bi-Xenon headlights, this car will
not disappoint! 2.0T engine with the standard sporty
suspension makes for a very fun car to drive Dec 03, 2009
by Alexander O
Nov 04, 2009
VOLKSWAGEN GLI SPECIAL EDITION
frenos BREMBO, ABS, ESP
butacas RECARO GLI
250hp
aros RIN 18 BBS MAGNESIO
11 PSI
(el motor es 1.8T pero no aparecia en las opciones, 2004)
color rojo brillante
estribos, bumpers traceros y delanteros modificados
solo hay 6 en toda guatemala
.............................................................Nov 04, 2009
by Tom B
Sep 14, 2009
Great car. Handles excellent for a fwd, the power is
great for an economical 4-cyl, and the dsg tranny is
like Gran Turismo in real life! This is a great all-
around car, good mileage, fun, classy, and
comfortable.Sep 14, 2009
by Paul O
Sep 04, 2009
anybody stupid enough to bring it when i get my car back bring it hahahahaha its awesome the greatest most exciting gti/gli to date except the mk2 but there my favourite go trade your ricers and buy one nowSep 04, 2009
by Carlos Q
Aug 22, 2009
21 psi of boost makes me smile.....good quality great, appearance... great gas millage ( when driven like a grandmother :) ) good space to haul the whole family and other such thing needed to keep the little one entertained. still space for 2 more (not for long)Aug 22, 2009
by Tiffany H
Jul 03, 2009
I love it! I wish it was flat black though. Overall the
performance is great, the oil changes are cheap. I do
hate having to put premium gas in it. Tires are
appropriately priced. Wish I would have gotten the
GPS function. Jul 03, 2009
by Will W
Feb 11, 2009
This car is AWESOME. It kicks a lot of but to be a 4cyl. I've raced quite a few cars - incuding a tC, Corolla S, dodge durango, ford explorer, beat them all.
You will enjot Volkswagen and what it has to offer. Even as a VW owner, you will learn to love it.Feb 11, 2009
by Seth T
Dec 22, 2008
The performance aspect of the car is great. It has enough horsepower and just a little under my expectations on torque. Getting off the line the car screams trough the first 4 gears with alot of pull. The build quality is great. Couldn't have asked for a quieter yet smoother ride than my previous car. the appearance is great to me, yet could use a lower front facia and sleek side skirts stock to enhance it even more. This car is fun to drive, it's able to handle the turns i throw at it withthe traction control settign on. If you want to be an enthusiast for european cars this is it. It's well worth the $ to have this car, than a POS toyota, honda or chevy sports car. Dec 22, 2008
by Joshua S
Aug 29, 2008
This car is nice. I love driving this thing around! Its small but has plenty of room. The trunk space is incredible. The handling is sweet and it has some "get-up-and-go" for a 2.0L. The only two things I don't like about it is the fact that it could look better...but i feel good 'cause i'm the only one with a red VW GLI 2.0T on post...and most the outlying areas...and the second dislike is that its front wheel drive...not a big fan of FWD cars. But other than that its BA.Aug 29, 2008
by Scott C
Jul 28, 2008
I love this car... it's got all the featues my wife wants, yet keeps me interested enough to want to drive it everywhere... fast! Fuel economy is great (32mpg) yet has a 0-60 at approx 5.9sec. The paddleshifters are fun and the interior is best in fit-finish. The stearing wheel is one of the best i've ever felt... including some of the most expensive cars at the autoshows. VERY little turbo lag! And its a 'sleeper'... u never see it coming!Jul 28, 2008
by Taylor W
Jun 12, 2008
fast as a bat outta hell...with a turbo engineJun 12, 2008
by Julian O
Jun 11, 2008
Its fast for the motor size but could be faster for the pricei got it for.Jun 11, 2008
by Alejandro F
Jun 10, 2008
En general muy buen coche es deportivo, de muy buen tamaño para 4 personas, muy bien equipado en todas sus areas.Jun 10, 2008
by Justin H
May 07, 2008
I bought my car about 6 months after it was released... its still running well after 20k miles or so. It turns heads... I think it looks sharp and sleek, but it also has open exhaust (except for a 200 cell cat)...
Needs a better method for launching and maintaining grip on those key stoplight runs, but other than that, it performs to the best of its ability
I havent dynoed, but im guessing 240 whp and around 280-290 wheel lb/ft
the interior is perfect...steering wheel looks like from a car 2x its price.
The one thing i hated about the looks was the 4x4 suspension, but that was resolved w/ eibach sportline springs--> lowered about 2 inches
radio/audio performance is decent for a stock radio... but i added 1 12" rockford sub pumping 500 watts rms and 1000 watts peak and that does it for low end
my mods: cosmetic tid bits, springs aformentioned, AWE boost gauge, AWE Turboback exhaust w/o resonator, EVOMS intake, GIAC X+ w/ flashloader, subwoofer, Greddy RS BOV, probably some more...just forgot...May 07, 2008
by Jennifer P
Apr 01, 2008
Love riding around with the window open so i can hear the turbo... it's awesome!
Wait til the exhaust kit goes on!Apr 01, 2008
by Rayce F
Mar 20, 2008
Full turbo back exhaust, ECU chip, Intake, and some color mods!Mar 20, 2008
by Alejandro G
Mar 17, 2008
This 4 cylinder will smoke most of the V8's in the neighborhoodMar 17, 2008
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2008 Volkswagen GLI Pricing
Original MSRP
$24,230 to $24,230Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
IPod auxiliary audio input · CD changer: 6 · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Remote CD changer location: in center console · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 10
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.3 · Front brake width: 1.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.3 · Rear brake width: 0.5 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage and pass-thru · Center console trim: alloy · Dash trim: alloy · Door trim: alloy · Floor Mat Material: vinyl/rubber · Floor Material: cargo area carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: storage organizer · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual adjustments: 8
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: self-leveling
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual Adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Sunroof: tilt
Safety
Active head restraints: driver
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Heated: front seats · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Navigation system: DVD navigation system
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent · Power windows: remote operation