This affordable manual transmission sports sedan is a rarity
It’s hard to believe that VW makes a sporty, manual transmission sedan for $33,000 and some change. The 2025 Jetta GLI stands alone at this price point, and it’s the only compact European sports sedan with three pedals at this price. The GLI was facelifted for 2025, and it features a cleaner look both front and back while still sporting the racy red trim that sets it apart from the regular Jetta. The Jetta GLI gets a new grille, new headlights, new intakes, and a fresh set of taillights that spans the entire back end. The cabin also received a new dashboard with a standard 8-inch infotainment touchscreen and new modern touch-sensitive climate controls.
The Jetta GLI is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder good for 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, mated to either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. It also has a standard front differential lock and adaptive chassis control. It’s great that VW continues to give the GLI the rope-your-own-gears option, although the manual is no longer available on the regular Jetta. 0-60 happens in less than six seconds for the automatic, but our choice would be the manual transmission that provides a higher level of driver engagement.
2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn lease deal for September
Volkswagen is offering an attractive lease deal for September that’s actually cheaper than last month’s offer. The 2025 Jetta GLI Autobahn lease is $419/month for 36 months with $0 security deposit and $4,499 due at signing. The amount due does not include tax, title, license, options, and dealer fees. The lease deal is the same in Chicago, New York, and San Francisco, as well as other locations such as Santa Fe, Dallas, and Washington, DC. At the end of the lease term, a $395 disposition fee is due, and the mileage limit is 10,000 miles per year or 30,000 miles for the lease term. The offer is good through September 30, 2025. Learn more here.
2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI feature highlights
The Jetta GLI Autobahn has an excellent set of standard features that make it a perfect daily sports sedan. It comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, chrome-tipped dual exhaust, heated/folding exterior mirrors, LED headlights/DRLs/taillights, integrated front light bar, rain-sensing wipers, panoramic sunroof, ambient interior lighting, leather seats, power driver’s seat with memory and power lumbar, heated/ventilated front seats, an 8-inch VW digital cockpit, 8-inch infotainment screen, wireless charging, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Standard safety tech includes adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking, pedestrian monitoring, and lane keeping assist. Just like the regular Jetta, the GLI provides 37.4 inches of rear legroom and 14.1 cubic feet of trunk space.
Final thoughts
The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI doesn’t compromise on performance and practicality. It’s just as good at hauling groceries and kids as it is at nailing apexes and carving curves. The very reasonable lease price makes it a tantalizing deal, but be sure to review the fine print of any lease contract before signing. Additional costs such as taxes, registration, and dealer fees can vary by location, so confirm all the details with your local Volkswagen dealer to ensure you’re getting the most accurate and up-to-date information.
*Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle.
About the author
Amos Kwon
Contributing Writer, Autoblog