2026 Volkswagen Jetta GLI: A quick bargain that may be gone in a flash
Financial troubles at Volkswagen mean it could cut this hot rod from its lineup. It offers a lot of fun — and creature comforts — at an attractive price.
2026 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn vs. Hyundai Elantra N vs. Mazda3 2.5T Premium Plus AWD Hatchback: Let’s have some fun without breaking the bank.
Price: $35,670 as tested. And that comes pretty tricked out, with heated and ventilated seats, and premium audio. Just $650 for the 18-inch black rims and black side mirror caps. Autobahn is simply a top trim level, with one special feature noted below.
What others are saying: “Highs: Just as quick as the GTI, as playful as ever, kind of a hot deal. Lows: We still prefer the manual even if it’s slower, annoying exhaust drone at highway speeds, deserving of a summer-tire option,” says Car and Driver.
What Volkswagen is saying: “It’s the kind of car that’s hard to ignore.”
Reality: It actually is quite easy to ignore, with all the exterior excitement of a Buick sedan, but it’s worth paying some attention.
What’s new: Volkswagen has been having some financial problems and is planning to cut 100,000 jobs, according to BBC. As those in the know handicap which models may be cut from the lineup, Car and Driver is betting the GLI could be on the short list.
Until then, though, let’s take this baby out for a ride. Fun seems to be harder to find these days, with war in Iran and tariff roulette costing us all money, so it seems like a good time to see which little cars might return a smile to our faces with little-ish price tags. With that comes a comparison of the Jetta GLI, Hyundai Elantra N, and the Mazda3 Turbo.
Competition: In addition to the comparison vehicles, there are the Honda Civic Si, Honda Civic Type R, Toyota GR Corolla, Volkswagen Golf GTI, and Volkswagen Golf R.
Up to speed: Woo hoo, the Jetta GLI Autobahn will get you to 60 quickly. Car and Driver says it gets there in 5.6 seconds, and I’m skeptical. It feels faster than that; I thought for sure I’d find a sub-5 time. But whatever, the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine creates 228 horses, and it really gets the small sedan around in a hurry.
Zipping past cars on the highway is easy, so is getting the Jetta to 65, 70, and beyond, if you’re not looking. This is not the car to hand over to a teen to take to college.
On the road: In fact, the Jetta GLI gets moving with more force than the front-wheel-drive system can adequately handle. Stomp on the accelerator while turning from a red light and the Jetta GLI Autobahn can quickly lose its composure and start dancing from side to side. All-wheel drive would be such a blessing to this little car.
After you get rolling, give the GLI free rein in and out of turns and it’ll go exactly where you point it. The highway seams are not as brutal as you’d think in this sporty little sedan (unlike the unforgiving Toyota Sienna XSE I tested on a recent Minnesota drive) and there’s certainly plenty of gusto for passing your fellow motorists.
Shifty: The Jetta in all its forms offers Volkswagen’s typical D-S shifter, where a double pull adds to the performance, and a push to the (wrong) right side gives you shift capabilities (the left side is the right side for shifting, people). Then a push forward lets you upshift — also incorrect, because a pull was mandated in documents carried by Moses from the Mount. The shifter is also a little too mushy for shifting, so maybe opt for the paddles.
Or the stick shift. The Jetta GLI is one of the last few vehicles to let you shift for real, with a 6-speed manual also on offer.
Driver’s Seat: The leather-covered, red-accented Driver’s Seat offers more performance than comfort; it’ll hold you firmly in place, but it’s not ache-inducing. (Ask me about my back problems; I have aged into the perfect Goldilocks for all your Driver’s Seat insights.)
The controls and gauges haven’t changed much in the past 10 years. You go, Volkswagen. Save those pennies.
Friends and stuff: The rear seat has decent headroom and legroom, although foot room under the front seat is a little snug. The center seat is tight behind the console, of course. The entire seat is comfortable enough, especially for the price point.
Cargo space is 14.1 cubic feet; the seats fold down for a pass-through.
In and out: The Jetta sits sports-car low, so brace yourself for the ups and downs.
Play some tunes: The stereo interface is also classically inspired, with volume and tuning knobs and an 8-inch screen. Like the 0-60 time, the little screen really punches above its weight; I searched and searched to make sure I didn’t have some larger upgrade, but no.
Sound from the Volkswagen Premium Audio system, part of the Autobahn trim level, is quite good, an A- almost hitting an A.
Keeping warm and cool: Dials control temperature, and buttons handle everything else. The blowers provide plenty of air on the hot days, something we’ve had more than our share of this summer, and the ventilated seats help with cooling as well.
Fuel economy: The vehicle averaged 29 mpg over the last 1,500 miles, including a few hundred of mine.
Where it’s built: Puebla, Mexico. The parts are 36% Mexican and 17% German.
How it’s built: Consumer Reports predicts the Jetta reliability to be a 2 out of 5.
In the end: You’re basically getting an Audi A3 for a Volkswagen price, so why wouldn’t you take it? Still, gotta check out the competition.
Next week: We try the Hyundai Elantra N.
