The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta GLI stays true to its roots.  Because going all the way back to 1984 it’s been considered a GTI with a trunk.  And that holds true today.

But what does that mean?  Specifically, it’s sporty, Euro-stylish, handles great and is fun to drive.  Moreover, it’s wildly affordable.  And definitely within the financial reach of every car buyer.

✅  At Ontario VW, every new Jetta GLI includes 3-years of zero-cost maintenance!  Check out your best prices.

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228 hp & 258 lb-ft of torque

Here’s what’s great about VW.  No other car company has as robust an ownership group.  Because VW enjoys sibling brands like Porsche and Audi.  Plus many others.

So it’s easy to understand how VW manages to pack so much value into an incredibly reasonable price point.  And that definitely holds true with the ’21 Jetta GLI.  You get far more than you pay for.

It accelerates quickly, is nimble to navigate, and exudes European luxury inside and out.  And all at a price that’s well within the reach of any new car shopper.

For 2021 Volkswagen keeps your GLI options pretty simple.  You can go with the base-model S or jump to the top-trimmed Autobahn.

Of course, with only two trims there’s a considerable difference between the two.  And the GLI that’s pictured throughout this post is a base model S.  It’s adequately equipped for sure.  But my pick would definitely be to go with the Autobahn.  And that’s because of all the extras you get including Volkswagen’s digital cockpit which is one of my favorites.

It replaces the traditional instrumentation in the dashboard with a digital monitor.  And that monitor is completely customizable.  So you can have a traditional view with your tachometer and speedometer.  Or, you can minimize that information while placing your navigation instructions inside the dash!

Length 185.2″ Height 57.9″

While keeping your trim options simple VW does the same with your engine and transmission choices.  Because you get nearly the same no matter what.

So, regardless of S or Autobahn trims you get a highly spirited 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder that turbocharged.  And it puts out 228 horsepower with 258 pound-feet of torque.

6-speed manual or 7-spd automatic transmission

When it comes to transmissions you can go with a 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic.  As much as I love manual, living here in Southern California almost always requires automatic for daily drivers.  Because manual transmissions and SoCal traffic is a recipe for frustration.  But, if you can control your schedule and miss traffic it’s doable.

But, that said, the automatic offers paddle shifters to keep the driving experience fun and low-maintenance at the same time.

When it comes to curb weights the manual transmission comes to 3,228 pounds while the automatic bumps up to 3,294 lbs.

18″ aluminum-alloy wheels

And GLI’s fuel economy keeps you skipping more gas stations than stopping at for certain.  That’s due to 24 mpg in the city for both transmission options.  While you’ll get 33 mpg on the highway with manual trans and up to 35 highway mpg with automatic.

It’s undeniably two things – European and a VW.  Sporty and stylish with great lines from all angles.  And again, that masterful design packed under a very affordable price tag is tough to beat.  Value, baby, value. :0)

*All inches 

And speaking of both great lines and value – the fit and finish of GLI is top-notch inside and out.  Which, being a Volkswagen, comes standard.

Up to 94.7 cu-ft passenger volume

And even the base-model GLI is sporty inside.  With red accent stitching and stainless steel capping on the pedals.  Plus a flat-bottom steering wheel and driver-centric dash.

37.4″ backseat legroom

Additionally, the Jetta GLI is spacious inside for an EPA-class compact vehicle.  It seats up to 5-adults with plenty of comfort space and cargo room too.

14.1 cu-ft cargo space with the backseats up

When you drop the backseats down 2021 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is highly reminiscent of the Golf GTI in terms of the ability to open up space for your stuff.

* All inches

Both trims come with Volkswagen’s touchscreen infotainment systems.  The base-model S includes a 6.5-inch while the Autobahn bumps up to an 8-inch display.  Another notable feature inside when you go with the Autobahn is the premium BeatsAudio system.

Smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard on both trims as well.

Base model cockpit

In addition to a totally customizable in-dash monitor replacing the traditional instrument cluster, multiple digital cockpit profiles can be saved.  And this easy access is great for different driving types.  For instance, you can have a profile for your city driving and another for highway driving or road trips.

Available driver assistance and safety features include all the basics.  Such as blind-spot monitoring, front and lane assist, rear traffic alert, and more.

The ’21 Jetta GLI packs a lot into its barely $30k price tag.

Ontario VW

Thanks, as always to my friends at Ontario VW for providing the 2021 VW Jetta GLI for this review.  That’s your go-to dealer for all things Volkswagen – buying, servicing, or just talking shop!

All the latest Volkswagen news HERE.