The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI (Grand Luxury Injection) celebrates the sporty sedan’s 35th anniversary. It debuted in February at the Chicago Auto Show and is offered in S, Autobahn and a special trim commemorating the occasion.
The 2019 model is also the debut of the vehicle’s seventh edition; the Jetta in other styles debuted in 1980. Its new version has a longer wheelbase (105.6 inches) and is three inches longer overall as well as slightly wider and taller and sits lower.
Key Takeaways
- Seventh-generation Jetta celebrates GLI’s 35th anniversary: The sporty Grand Luxury Injection model returns on a stretched 105.6-inch wheelbase with three inches of added overall length, more width, and a lower stance.
- 2.0-liter turbo delivers 5.8-second 0-60 performance: Featured with a six-speed manual or optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, the GLI feels quicker in real-world driving than the official rating suggests.
- 34.7 mpg real-world on an extended test: EPA rates the Jetta GLI at 25 mpg city and 32 mpg highway; the reviewer averaged 34.7 mpg on a multi-day highway trip.
- $31,185 MSRP sits near the U.S. average new-car price: Standard equipment includes LED headlights and taillights, BeatsAudio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an 8-inch touchscreen.
- Notable omission: no factory navigation system: The only major drawback. Owners rely on Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for directions, which work well but require a connected phone.
 The 14th annual event, the country’s largest professional bicycle race began in Sacramento and advanced to South Lake Tahoe for one day. It then followed a north-to- south route through the central valley and onto a coastal route to Pasadena. The return trek to Sacramento was an inland route through the agricultural wonderlands, mostly along Highway 101.
The GLI combines the comfort of a small sedan with sports car leanings. Its upgrades from the standard Jetta include a red stripe running across the honeycomb front grille and different front and rear bumpers.
A six-speed manual transmission is standard, but the optional dual-clutch seven-speed automatic, with its smooth transition through the gears, was effortless. It advanced efficiently during city driving, up and down winding mountain roads and across long stretches of the open round. The GLI’s 0-60 miles-per-hour standard is rated at 5.8 seconds, but the Jetta seemed to accelerate more quickly.
Standard safety features are aplenty, including an automatic emergency braking, a blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning and an automatic braking system that engages post-collision. LED headlights and taillights are also standard.
The Jetta’s top competition is the Honda Civic and Subaru WRX. And like those vehicles, the GLI joins an increasing percentage of cars that nearly instantly feel comfortable. Seating is pleasing with sufficient head and leg room. Similar to many small sedans, the GLI is designated as a five-passenger sedan, but if front-seat occupants are tall and push back their seats, back-seat passengers’ have a tight go of it. The Jetta is realistically a four-passenger vehicle unless all rear-seat passengers are petite. The 60-40 rear seats are foldable for more utility.
One Volkswagen signature is its interior simplicity. There are hard plastic panels, but the positioning of dials, the visibility of dashboard readings and location of the USB ports all complement the overall the Jetta GLI’s overall appeal.
The GLI has also a spacious trunk and a healthy supply of other storage areas. It’s all impressive considering the Jetta’s designation as a small sedan.
The only major drawback is the Jetta’s lack of a navigation system. It’s confusing considering the superior option of a BeatsAudio system and the efficiency of the digital instrument panel and the standard inclusion of Android Audio and Apple CarPlay. I used the later feature often with the map app on my iPhone. Instructions were presented in a timely and clear fashion on the eight-inch touchscreen.
Fuel efficiency was the biggest surprise of the extended test drive. The Jetta GLI is rated at 25 miles per gallon in city driving, 32 miles per gallon on the freeway. While primarily traveling on freeways and with the flow of traffic often exceeding the speed limit, I averaged 34.7 miles per gallon during the trip.
It’s one more reason the 2019 Volkswagen Jett GLI, priced at $31,185 and near the average price of a new car in the United States, is worthy of serious consideration.
What We Like
- 5.8-second 0-60 with a manual or seven-speed DSG
- Real-world 34.7 mpg beats EPA estimate
- Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and BeatsAudio standard
- Automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitor, forward collision warning standard
- Spacious trunk unusual for small sedan segment
What We Don’t
- No factory navigation system at any trim level
- Rear-seat legroom tight when front seats are pushed back
- Hard plastic dashboard panels in places
- Realistically a four-passenger car despite five-seat designation
- Subaru WRX and Honda Civic Si offer all-wheel drive or more tuning options
Facts & Figures: 2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L Turbo 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 228 |
| Transmission | 6-speed Manual or 7-speed Dual-Clutch Automatic (DSG) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Wheelbase | 105.6 inches |
| Fuel Economy (EPA) | 25 city / 32 hwy / 28 combined mpg |
| Real-World Fuel Economy | 34.7 mpg (tested) |
| Acceleration | 0-60 mph, 5.8 seconds |
| Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price | $31,185 |
How It Compares
| Vehicle | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| 2019 Honda Civic Si | $24,800 |
| 2019 Subaru WRX | $27,195 |
| 2019 Hyundai Elantra Sport | $22,500 |
| 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI | $28,490 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast is the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI?
The 2019 Jetta GLI accelerates from 0-60 mph in a rated 5.8 seconds. Real-world driving suggests acceleration feels quicker, with smooth shifts through the optional seven-speed dual-clutch DSG automatic or standard six-speed manual.
How much does the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI cost?
The 2019 Jetta GLI is priced at $31,185, near the U.S. average new-car price of 2019.
What is the fuel economy of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI?
EPA ratings are 25 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined on regular gasoline. The reviewer averaged 34.7 mpg in real-world driving on a multi-day highway trip.
Does the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI have navigation?
No factory navigation system is offered. Drivers rely on Apple CarPlay or Android Auto smartphone integration through the standard 8-inch touchscreen. Both work well with a connected phone.
What transmissions does the Jetta GLI offer?
A six-speed manual transmission is standard. A seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic is optional and provides smooth, quick shifts for everyday driving.
How does the Jetta GLI compare to the Subaru WRX and Honda Civic Si?
The Jetta GLI offers more interior refinement and trunk space than either rival. The Civic Si undercuts the GLI on price; the Subaru WRX delivers all-wheel drive the Jetta can’t match. The GLI excels as a refined sport sedan rather than a pure track tool.
Article Last Updated: April 16, 2026.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.