What Kind of Driver Should (or Shouldn't) Buy a Volkswagen GLI? - One Take

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The Jetta GLI has always been the "Mature" choice. With a relatively luxurious interior, a handsome exterior, and the powertrain and suspension architecture from the sporty Golf GTI, there is a lot to like. But there are also formidable competitors in the space, like the engaging Civic Si and super quick Elantra N. Why should one buy the GLI over those two options? And why should someone choose one of the others?
Volkswagen provided the Jetta GLI, a full tank of gas, and insurance for this review.
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What Kind of Driver Should (or Shouldn't) Buy a Volkswagen GLI? - One Take
#volkswagenjetta
#jettagli

[@mmontgomeryy]

The fact that VW updated the steering wheel in the newer refresh of the jetta/gli but kept the physical buttons instead of putting the haptic ones like the Mk8 golf gives me hope that they got the message that consumers are not liking them.

[@TechnoHouseHD]

I don’t think that’s the case. This has the old engine , and older infotainment. I think they wanted to get rid of some left over parts.

[@SNiiPEDoGG]

It's just because it's mk7.5 platform... vw may pull itself back into reality, but it won't be the GLI leading the way

[@mthlaxer]

The new S3 has the new interior but physical buttons so that gives me hope.

[@dubsessed9790]

@@mthlaxer mmmm new S3.

[@dragospahontu]

But the glossy buttons look so much better

[@stephaneasselin3359]

I have a 2021 GLI, I was initially looking for a GTI but I needed more room. After a year of ownership Im pretty satisfied.

[@DamianSabre]

I had a manual 2019 Jetta and the trunk space actually shocked me. It is, indeed huge. Really practical.

[@AH-lw2bj]

I have a 2019 Golf Sportwagen, and had a Jetta rental one time, and was surprised to find I could fit just as much stuff into the trunk as I do in my hatch

[@dubsessed9790]

I have an S3 now and miss the massive space my GTI had for road trips, you could fold the seats down and pack that sucker to the roof.

[@markjohnson2079]

I had a 2016! Loved it! (until I traded up to my 2016 S4)

[@Rocketfish17]

You need to move the gear leaver to the right to get into manual mode where it won't shift. Being in sport it'll revert to auto after about 10-20 seconds

[@Icanreadgood1]

thats what I was thinking, in my 2017 alltrack thats what I do and It doesnt auto shift. Am I missing something with this new gli? will it actually shift on you with the stick moved into manual shift mode?

[@nastynatee88]

@@Icanreadgood1 yes it will

[@juliocesarmessuti887]

this guy does not know how to drive... look he never attack the apex even knowing no ones coming at the curve exit he just talk

[@spazysmalls]

@@juliocesarmessuti887 lol. Hes only driven most sports cars if not all. He definitely knows how to drive dude, probably didnt feel like going hard in this thing

[@Superbustr]

It's kinda hard to believe that he doesn't know that to put the car in (override) manual mode, you have to push the gear selector to the right. Like every new Audi and a lot of VW models have the same or similar shift lever.

[@mitchellflanders-dd8kr]

I’m so glad I came across this review. I changed jobs last year and now commute 115 everyday. This, the N, Sonata N Line, Mazda 3, Toyota Camry V6 have all been in the conversation but the fact you said it’s great for highway miles, and for a bit bigger of a guy, I’m essentially sold.

[@ilyaslobodkin3811]

Def your best option

[@hpmetabolics7558]

As a former owner of 3 VWs and now the owner of a 3rd gen TL Type S, there no way I'd pick this over a 18-22 Honda Accord 2.0T Sport! No way!

[@dragospahontu]

This thing is made by Germans. If the power is between 1500-5000 there's no reason to go out of that power band. It is inconceivable for a German.

[@coreygolphenee9633]

That was the first rule of German car ownership I learned, the graphs are laws over there

[@jeffk464]

They say 1,500 to 5000 rpm, but my experience is there isn't any power until 2,000 rpm. My biggest gripe about my mk7 is that the transmission always wants to keep the rpm at 1,500-1,600 rpm. It would be a lot better daily driver if it tried to keep it 1,900-2,000 rpm when cruising.

[@jmmyjimmy106]

@@jeffk464 I've personally never driven an automatic VW long enough to ever need to do this but you could try disconnecting the battery for about 10-15 minutes and hooking everything back up and trying to get the TCU to better adapt to your driving style. I've always felt like in normal drive mode the DSG cars did like to shift early unless you were heavy footed on the accelerator pedal.

[@dragospahontu]

@@jeffk464 there's a little bit of laf from 1500

[@dragospahontu]

@@jmmyjimmy106 exactly

[@zero_dbmv3322]

I have the 35th anniversary edition and I’m very happy with it and agree with this review. The Han look tires wore out very quickly and I replaced them with pilot sport 4s and that made the handling and road feel and feed back much better. I get almost 40 mpg at 75 mph as well and it’s a great road trip car/highway car.

[@SonOfTheDawn515]

I've gotten 42.5 MPG in my GLI S highway using eco mode and cruise control. Definitely capable of better numbers than advertised.

[@CogMarks]

The first thing I did when I bought a GTI with those poor quality Hancook tires was to replace them with Continentals that perform well and last.

[@infowazz]

can i have it?

[@bjjbrawler1]

Interesting, my 2021 GTI came with Pirelli tires.... theyre ok but I will consider Continentals or Pilots soon....@@CogMarks

[@Subpac_ww2]

Those Hankooks are junk. Just don't be like me to wait for a 2.0T Honda Accord or Sonata N to blow your doors off...get ahead of yhe competition toss an IS38 Turbo on that GLI and let her rip tater chip. Getting my IS38 and software today not getting walked by a Honda or Hyundai again. Come on VW....make a faster GLI....we're waiting.

[@mattdeboer1]

Gotta move the shifter to the right for the transmission to not shift on its own.

[@petsur]

Matt, I normally like your videos but this one you were off base. I'm looking at this car as a daily driver, not as an HPDE track car.

[@AndreThompson925]

This car with the 6 speed is actually pretty good. I didn't know how good it was until I traded in my lease for a 2021 Mazda3 Turbo Hatchback. The interior wasn't nearly as nice as the Mazda, but it was such a more fun car. I also factory ordered my GLI with summer tires, so I think I addressed all of your concerns. I disliked the Mazda3 so much I sold it after 5 months and factory ordered a Miata Club with the BBS/Brembo/Recaro package. It's the most fun new car I've ever driven and makes every drive enjoyable.

[@opmike343]

Mazda REALLY needs to knock off the dust from their performance division. Even freaking Hyundai has one now, and it makes no sense for them to not give cars like their Mazda 3 a proper "sports" trim like they used to have with the Mazdaspeed cars. If it weren't for the Miata (I have a '20 Club), they'd be just another car appliance company. Might as well be called Whirlpool.

[@2bunphettered788]

What did you dislike the most about the Mazda Turbo? 🤔

[@yopacific]

Miata Is Always The Answer

[@haroldstaam]

@@opmike343 the hyundai veloster r is no joke. but those mazda 3 are pretty slick too

[@darrenmathias9384]

@@opmike343 Mazda has made it clear that they have re-positioned themselves as a premium brand rather than a sports brand. Hence they have left the "Zoom Zoom" philosophy behind for new pastures which is working out well for them honestly. They still prioritize the love of driving, but for a different set of drivers than hardcore enthusiasts (save for the Miata of course).

[@leoahearn7382]

My first VW was a new 1985 GLI. Fast forward to today and we have a 2018 Sportwagen 4Motion. The stock Hancooks had an internal separation at 20k miles and had to be replaced. The trans is programmed to take advantage of the low torque peak, plain and simple. Long live the Mk7 and its buttons and knobs!!!!

[@kylerice9714]

My review of this review so far "ah didn't take long to find our first problem. Not fully manual." That's because you're driving an automatic and you didn't put it into manual mode. Everyone thinks a $30,000 car is going to read their minds these days. The reason it shifts automatically is to protect itself from you Now go do what you would tell your kids to do and read the instructions first ugh

[@nastynati3501]

Agreed 💯 percent

[@steven44799]

I have the golf r, if there’s one mod you do it’s a dsg tune. Moves the shift points around so it’s more practical in drive, but not as aggressive rpm wise as the factory sports mode. Way nicer to drive around town as it’s not trying to sit the engine at 1000-1500rpm all the time.

[@moochiezpitt]

What tuner is your dsg tune?

[@steven44799]

@@moochiezpitt APR

[@sleepy35th]

APR S1 w/ DSG tune GLI 35 here. Can confirm dsg tune should practically come with the car

[@ziceman46]

The "hidden" kick-down feature is great in these too. Try it on an open straight first, but pressing the pedal almost-completely down will automatically downshift to the next lowest gear. I have a stock mk6.5 GLI

[@austinpeterson4898]

My mom drives a 2016 GLI 6-speed that she got after she was bored of her Panamera GTS with a PDK. She enjoys it a lot. The MK7s look good in white.

[@rendaddy_]

Actually sounds surprisingly good. With a stick this seems like a decent car. E: I thought Jetta and Golf shared the wheelbase, but there's actually 5cm difference. huh.

[@spacepxl]

It's funny how the soundaktor got so much hate originally for being "fake engine noise" but now, compared to the atrocious fake sounds some other cars put out, it's surprisingly tolerable or even pleasant.

[@jeffk464]

@@spacepxl I unplugged mine early on.

[@dubsessed9790]

@@spacepxl their design for the soundaktor was actually pretty clever, as opposed to just using the speakers like some other manufacturers do. The method used to make the sound (vibrating the windshield to act as a subwoofer) is much more natural sounding, though still fake. Its a good implementation of a bad idea, haha

[@SonOfTheDawn515]

@@spacepxl It's not a "fake" noise though. They just insulated the engines really well and the actuator just pipes the sound it. That's in. I actually like it. Gets a sportier sound inside without drawing attention from the outside. I LOATHE noisy exhausts. Sound like lawnmowers but louder and sound like shit.

[@evanswift5020]

The turbos in these cars run out of boost past 6000 rpm. The torque curve is literally a triangle with peak torque really low.

[@MrWhitePerson]

that diesel powerband on the model that's supposed to be sporty hmmmm

[@mistamaog]

Seems like a great daily and road trip car, especially if you get a good set of tires and of course get the manual

[@postalpancho]

Funny how giving a car a manual can make even the most mundane car fun to drive. I don’t mind DCT and automatics but most car companies just suck at tuning them other than BMW.

[@mistamaog]

@@postalpancho It's hard to make machines predict exactly what you want them to do. I'd rather just control it myself and not have to complain about weird programming or downshifting issues.

[@JustinConley]

@@postalpancho it depends on the car. My Mk6 Golf TDI with the DSG is preferable to the manual, I test drove both - and I prefer a manual always. It was not even a contest with the diesel.

[@juice7661]

@@postalpancho Theres A LOT!!! of rev hang on the jettas

[@Blackdawn80]

Finding one of these with a 6M is nearly impossible. Not to mention some dealers are asking for markups on a vehicle that is not even a limited production like a Civic Type R. It's a shame VW doesn't allow you to dealer order these things to your spec and color. If anyone knows a way around this, here in FL no dealer is playing ball. Great video and review as always Matt!

[@Terror1Void]

I got one coming to me in OKC this month. I didn't order it, it was already allocated to the dealer here.

[@rreichar1]

Very nice job sir! I like the GLI. I would get the manual. We owned 3 Audis a month or two ago. The 2 dealers here in Austin are 6 or 7 months behind on available appointments. With my wife’s Tiguan I can pull into the express service lane with no appointment. Though it’s mechanically much the same as my son’s A3 having the DSG service done at a VW dealer is around $3-400. For the A3 it is $1500. I traded my TTS for a Tacoma. Also my daily A3. It is frustrating to be driving around in an semi-expensive luxury car that is under warranty but won’t get repaired until next year. If I buy a replacement for the A3 it will be a GLI with the manual. I am not a cloth seat fan and I love heated seats because I have had 5 spinal surgeries so I drive around with them on no matter the ambient temp. Those 2 things take the Civic si off of my list. Also locally here in central Texas dealers are charging between $5-7500 over MSRP for the Si. We have 3 VW dealers. If I order a car they will sell it to me for MSRP. The Elantra just doesn’t do it for me visually. I don’t love the look of the Jetta but I don’t find it offensive.

[@omariwest9068]

Agreed re: service costs vs. what you actually get in terms of features and performance. I love my '21 Autobahn 6MT - and yeah the heated and coooled leatehr seats are a must here in CA as well.

[@SonOfTheDawn515]

I have a GLI S (didn't want the LED dash or sunroof in the Autobahn) and the cloth seats are better than you'd think. I've had three back procedures myself and the seat heater is quite nice.

[@biodot88]

Manual in Austin traffic?

[@rreichar1]

@@biodot88 I had a manual 2017 GTI SE as may daily for several years in Austin. My job involved lots of driving to different locations all over the city. I never wished for an automatic.

[@joelbaker2172]

I just service my A3 at VW, longer waits, but better service for half the price.

[@Krauser1226]

Agree with the DSG frustrations. My father has one of these with a DSG and the same tires and the auto upshifting and refusing downshifts regardless of having headroom kills most of the potential fun of this vehicle. I have a Mk7 GTI and it also had similar frustrations with auto upshifting, but the GTIs tuning was a bit more willing to let you downshift closer to redline and not auto upshift until you were similarly close to redline. I did get an APR DSG tune though which allows for full control and it will hang onto the gear without auto upshifting and just bang off the limiter if you let it. It's almost a necessary upgrade for anyone with a DSG GLI or GTI as far as I'm concerned and if my dad's wasn't a lease, it would've been done already. Same with upgraded tires. The stock tires on this car neuter the fun as you mentioned. I have PS4S on mine and with that combo with the DSG tune (along with a stage 1 performance tune) it completely changes the car.

[@kevinm8715]

That DSG issue sounds like some serious BS. I had a 2013 Jetta TDi with the DSG and it didn't have this problem. Of course there was also no point in trying to hold the gear above 3200rpm, because there was zero power left at that point. 🙂

[@Krauser1226]

@@kevinm8715 yeah, again the GTI, at least my Mk7 DSG model (which has the 6 speed mind you, not the newer 7 speed) was much less intrusive than the GLI's is, likely because of the tuning and intention from VW on the average buyer of this car wanting a more cushy commuter compared to the GTI. The stock GTI DSG tuning would auto upshift, but it would only actually do it into redline which, generally speaking, was fine. I almost always shifted before that anyway because, especially with the 2.0T, going right into redline wasn't offering much more power anyway. With the GLI, it's too aggressive and, most annoyingly, downshifting was VERY limited because you'd have to wait for the revs to fall much to low before it'd let you actually downshift. Again, the stock DSG map for the GTI was never that aggressive and allowed much more control, so perhaps it's a specific choice either for the GLI or the newer 7 speed DSG boxes, one or the other. A simple TCU tune fixes this immediately regardless, so I'd just factor that into the price of the vehicle and forget the stock tune even existed, but I get that's not really an option for people who are leasing or want to not worry about retaining their warranty should an issue arise.

[@dragospahontu]

Do you lose the warranty?

[@Krauser1226]

@@dragospahontu with ECU and TCU modifications, especially full tunes, they'll throw a TD1 flag which tells VW when scanned that the cars been modified. Technically, they can't deny warranty work for things unrelated to the tune itself (give the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act a search for reference) but they absolutely CAN deny warranty work related to your engine and it's associated components if a failure occurs and you're tuned if they say the tune did it. I didn't tune my car until my warranty was up for that reason and because I just didn't want to deal with the headache if something happened on my only daily that I relied on for commuting.

[@dragospahontu]

@@Krauser1226 good to know

[@Quadruple-Vaxxed-Boomer]

This guy is litterally the only one roasting this car.

[@grantkendrick277]

You shouldn't have to, but most frustrations can be fixed by the aftermarket (trans tune, wheels and tires etc) as for the powerband, in my mk7 GTI I feel like the car pulls harder when I shift from 3rd to 4th if I'm going flat out in a straight line (shifting at roughly 6-6500 rpm) so I get why it *encourages* upshifting but I still didn't like it

[@user-ql1tt7cm1d]

Hey 👋 You’ve won something 🎉🎉✅✅

[@VMPhilosophy]

About the redline and shifting, its a common thing with VW. The MK6 GLI redline was 6k. With a tune, it would bump that rev limiter higher but realistically, power dies shortly after 6k because it is a relatively small turbo. VW wants their cars to pull like a freight train right up to their predefined redline to make the car feel more powerful. Sure, it's less fun with a lower redline but it makes it easier to stay within the turbo's powerband. Also, the summer tires are very good on these.

[@sameerpandya1947]

There is no power at 6500, the little IS20 is out of steam by then, so you should shift at 6k with the stock turbo. That said, trans tunes allow you to delete auto-upshift if so desired, and ups the shift points by 500 even in drive mode. Leave it in manual mode if you want to drive spirited (push lever to the right when in drive) and now you are in full manual mode and it will only shift per paddles (yes auto-upshift still there unless you tune it out). Stock tires are miserable, with a set of good summers (I run PS4s) the car really wakes up and is a roomier more relaxed alternative to a GTI.

[@mitchfortson8413]

Love mine,tires are trash , also I just keep in sport automatic, new tires and a good tune , she's great ,and a great everyday use.

[@mitchfortson8413]

Good job it's suits me at 53,new tires ,tint ,I use 93 octane in mine ,it really runs good for 500$ tune Thx bro

[@freedmike1394]

Take the car into ESC sport mode and you can rev it pretty much the way you want, but with the E888 there's no real point to redlining it - all this engine makes over 6,000 rpm is noise. This car lives between 2000-5500 rpm - same for every other similar turbo engine. I don't know why this person got so exercised about it.

[@scorber23]

I know .. I never see anyone reviewing this car 'know' about the ESC Sport setting (traction control) < also the mode demanded to engage Launch Control

[@martingriggs6362]

I drove one of these yesterday, and I loved it. Here at the end of 2023, this car is the only available fun sedan. The Elantra N is nowhere to be found because the 2024 is coming out early next year. The K5 GT and the Sonata N-line are not as fun as this car. They are bigger, and the power they have easily overwhelms the front tires. As someone who has owned mostly manual cars over the last 65 cars, and my 61 years - if you want control over gearbox - BUY THE Manual!

[@tgrainwater]

We have a 2019 GLI in black with a touch over 40,000 miles and have had no issues. We love the car still and enjoy driving it.

[@christophcollier]

How do you put 40k miles in 3 years?

[@tgrainwater]

@@christophcollier By commuting to work five days a week.

[@christophcollier]

@@tgrainwater I might not have a point of reference but would that be a 30 miles each way?

[@tgrainwater]

@@christophcollier Sounds about right; it’s also our vehicle of choice for most road trips. We like the car. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@CaptainKielbasa]

I just picked mine up last week. Exactly the one and color you have in the video. To me, this thing is great! I am coming from a 2011 Jetta and what an upgrade for me. I don't drive it like you and I never use the manual shifters because I can't drive a stick. I didn't use this feature in my last Jetta either so it is of no concern to me. I love everything else about the car, but I get why someone like you would be frustrated.

[@zed0k]

A DSG tune resolves all of those shifting qualms, and after 6500rpm, it's not within the full power range, it starts to taper off.

[@superbirdclub3968]

The discontinued GLI-S base package with the 6-speed manual at $27,500 was the bargain. The car does everything really well.

[@mikem495]

Shoulda moved shifter to the right so paddles dont auto ip n downshift

[@marcdinsmore8690]

Yup. Sport mode is sport auto, not manual mode.

[@ragweedmakesmesneeze]

I know that there's lots of comparison cars that get left out of these reviews, but I'm curious how the Kia Forte GT (FWD, 200-ish hp, heated/cooled seats, good sounding exhaust, huge trunk) stacks up against the main rivals.

[@SonOfTheDawn515]

15:32 I don't mind that. I don't have kids. I put my dog in the back with a seat cover with flaps that cover the doors as well. The doors in the rear don't need to be as "nice" and saves money for the person behind the steering wheel.

[@bondovwvw]

Anyone hate the seats ? I had a 2019 gli and really loved the car. I hated the seats on long trips

[@ridge_r4cer]

Cant beat a Seiko. Love that orange dial.

[@richardwalther6229]

I had a 2012. Bought it without a test drive, so my biggest surprise (not a deal breaker, but kind of bewildering) was that there were no shift “farts” on the DCT, although the Golf had them. Same engine and transmission. So, my observation is that the GLI isn’t simply a GTI with a trunk, and is for a far less sporty crowd. I hate to say, but the changes seemed more cosmetic than performance oriented.

[@SonOfTheDawn515]

Up until the MK7, the GLI and GTI did not fully share engine and transmission.

[@309gti8]

I own a 2016 Jetta GLI. In some ways, I’d like to upgrade to the Mk7, but on the other hand, I’m very satisfied with the Mk6. I like the way it looks, it’s quick enough in most scenarios, it has most of the features I want, and it’s paid for. I’ve done a few upgrades it - short throw shifter, Mk7 GTI wheels, and made some coding changes with OBD11.

[@SonOfTheDawn515]

GLIs until the MK7 got less everything compared to the GTI. However, I do like the MK6 style (I had a MK6 2.5 SE) but the MK7 is definitely nice. If you're happy with the MK6, stick with it!

[@BretFrohwein]

It's perfect for those of us who got old and our ears and Vertebrae can no longer cope with Civic Si's. Also who have to sit in bumper to bumper traffic 2 hours a day and are tired of rowing our own gears.

[@Pamlicojdjdj1487]

If you have to sit 2 hours a day in traffic, time to re-evaluate your current job and employer. No Job/paycheck is worth sacrificing your physical and Mental health in exchange to sit in traffic 10 hours+ a week😉

[@spenceraaltonen]

A little disappointed that they ditched the base spec GLI. I had a 2020 GLI S w/ 5-Speed Manual and it was an excellent value for the money. As someone that had a long commute at the time, it returned really great fuel mileage and was comfortable over long trips. When I wanted to drive it aggressively it was a lot of fun with the manual trans. I bought a set of OEM take-off Golf R wheels and put some Conti Extreme Contact Sports on it, that really solved the issues with the cheap all-seasons that it came with. I still think with the only-Autobahn trim for this year, it still offers great value but would have liked to see a cheaper option for those that didn't mind a more basic trim.

[@francescomaimone8865]

Glad you finally said to get the manual version if folks want the manual driving experience. No automatics can truly replicate the manual driving experience, which is a very personal one that varies by person.

[@SonOfTheDawn515]

I didn't want the GLI Autobahn because of LED screen and sunroof. Thanks to explosives overseas I get headaches too easily and the sunroof adds weight for a function I don't like. I would have just preferred the GLI S had leather seat option and that little extra in suspension system the Autobahn gets over the S. But, I'm still very satisfied with my purchase (had it since last November after waiting 6 months for factory order).

[@yongwaikeat9126]

try adjust it in the DCC regarding the manual gear changing

[@singular9]

Hankook tires suck honestly. Slapped DWS06+ tires and its like a different car! Biggest question is...what are the dealer markups on these, at 32k this is a great freaking car! Think about it, there is nothing at this price point that offers this much options. No honda or toyota sub 35k offers a DSG, a diff, cooled seats and memory seats, and 250ish horsepower.

[@ADHski]

even better at 23k in 2019 ;)

[@vincenzosciortino4411]

I liked my ‘19 Jetta GLI 35th anniversary (6spd) but it was lacking driving pleasure in my opinion. I bought it new and traded up 2yrs later with 24k miles on it to a used, 16k mile Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport. I did get 5k more than what I paid new for trade on my GLI and had a difference of 4K to the Giulia. Love my Giulia and it has been absolutely amazing.

[@vincenzosciortino4411]

Also the GLI had god awful uncomfortable seats that killed my back in 30-40m of driving. I am in my 20s and not an old man 👴🏻

[@MeltingRubberZ28]

I have the car mentioned and I love it. FBO IS38 right now. This thing is a blast.

[@wattnega]

I’m pretty sure when you put it in the sport mode which slides the shifter to the left should keep the gear in whichever one you selected but maybe they changed it for the 2023 GLI but it works like that for other DSG models to my knowledge

[@ktwei]

Don't do it Matt!! He's got more than a hundred grand under the hood of that car!!

[@emo3113]

Word is, he’s going to be running three Honda Civics with spoon engines. And, he just went into Harry’s and ordered three T66 turbos with NOS. And a Motec System exhaust.

[@adamrobbins2091]

@@emo3113 I don't have friends... I have family

[@Daveyboy_GolfR]

As a previous MK6 GTi and current 2015 mk7 Golf R owner, the GLI being that it's like a loaded Autobahn GTI in sedan form is very attractive at 34k. Most people will say that the GTI is far quicker and more engaging, but my golf bar has been APR stage 2 with FBO for over 5 years, so GTI Autobahn or GLI Autobahn wouldn't make a difference to me, except the fact that the GLI is a lot cheaper and I personally love the interior over the no button mk8 GTI. Most people with ask me why would I even bother getting rid of my mk7 Golf R, and if I do why not get the mk8.... and it's because it's going on 8 years old so time for something new before repairs start, and I want to stay in the low to mid-30s and that's why I'm thinking either GLI or Elantra N DCT. I'm very aware of the differences performance wise and refinement wise between both cars. I know that the GLI is a much nicer place to be than the Elantra, even though the N touch points are premium like the recaro seats, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. But the GLI gives you a level of refinement while driving that you cannot achieve with the N, even when you have the N fully set to comfort mode, you still don't get anywhere close to that German insulated and refined drive. On the flip side, I've driven the 2021 Veloster N DCT, and there's no way the Jetta GLI can approach the smiles that the car brings in terms of every aspect of performance. Even after driving my buddies Veloster N DCT, and getting back into my highly tuned and modded Golf R, with the exception of the golfer being faster with the stage 2 APR ECU, everything else about the Elantra was better in terms of handling, chassis balance, weight distribution, that incredible front LSD, the communication I felt between the road and the seat and the steering wheel is incredible in comparison to my Golf R which feels numb in comparison. Best way to say it is the N feels like a hardcore no compromise race car, and is a freaking blast at all times. And is actually hard to drive it normally cuz it just wants to go. And the immediacy and precision and steering is also just great. Combine that with all the customization of the different performance features, especially the adaptive dampers and active exhaust which sounds fantastic and it's shocking that you can get one for low 30s. However even though I've never driven the GLI, I know why I've owned three Volkswagens already, and it's that premium feel that keeps me coming back, while still being a very fun and capable sports compact car. Anyway those are the two at the top of my list and I guess my first job is to find out if dealers are still marking up the crap out of both cars, and that'll help me with my decision.

[@prismspectrum1600]

Thank you for your info, very helpful!

[@omariwest9068]

I agree re: canyon performance. I’m no stunt guy but have been driving the mountains in and around Mendocino County CA for work - and they are wonderful roads for canyon driving. I have the ‘21 Autobahn 6MT so have full control over shifting and that’s sweet! However the tires don’t even give you ability to do 7/10ths (at least with my skill level) - you definitely feel the tires struggling around tight turn-in’s on any kind of sharp gradient. So my plan - wear out these hankooks over the next year or so (thankfully I’m mostly a city/highway driver) and then get good tires and a stage 1 tune. Otherwise this is a very pleasant car to drive and haul people in. I paid just under $30k - so a full set of tires and a tune gets me up to about $32k; which to me is a good bargain! BTW - I think the Elantra looks hideous, does not have ventilated seats (necessary for CA IMHO), and no sunroof! - dealbreaker for me. I can basically spend 2k and exceed Elantra power and torque and still come out cheaper.

[@postalpancho]

You won’t be faster than an Elantra N buddy, not even close. I say this as someone who hates those over rated turds. They ugly as hell and have poop reliability but the Elantra N is fast as hell for a 4cyl. The GLI is simply out classed in performance at this time. Hopefully VW will bump that HP significantly to make this car relevant again.

[@postalpancho]

Honestly this cars gears are long as hell. Wonder if you can just get a larger final drive, that would completely transform the performance without sacrificing any reliability.

[@omariwest9068]

@@postalpancho - with stage 1 GLI makes 298 while Elantra is 276. Thé thing that makes Elantra faster is DSG does not auto-up shift like GLI - but since I have a manual it’s a non-issue. GLI manual + tune beats Elantra manual.

[@carado1984]

Elantra can be tuned with the same 2k.

[@omariwest9068]

@@carado1984 - true but then it’s still more expensive and has fewer creature comforts. Plus it’s hideous-looking….

[@DrLol07]

Whoever in the automotive industry genius thought glossy black piano finish belongs on the steering wheel deserves jail time

[@MarioGomez-zg7hb]

Please excuse my ignorance but, why would you want to rev an engine past it's peak horse power RPMs? Can someone please explain?

[@babelhuber3449]

Did you put the car in manual before shifting? Or did you just shift? At Audi, if you simply shift, the car is still in semi-automatic. It will also shift back to D when you stop. To get rid of this, you can use the M mode instead.

[@kmuck8677]

Pretty sure Matt would know this by now and if he said manual mode he means manual mode.

[@thomasmacgruber6701]

I have a 2022 SE, needed something to pile the miles on for kids travel baseball. For the price, it's really good at long hauls. 40+ mpg and I got a 8 year 80 thousand mile warranty for 31 bucks a month extra that covered everything even maintenence. The only downside is the back seat, I might have to trade it in for an atlas or 2022 Passat as my 13 year old is 6 foot tall and my 10 year old is almost as tall. My precious Passat was like a limo compared to this in legroom. Overall it's a solid highway mile eater, over 10 thousand miles since Feb, but if you can deal with analog guages and a couple extra bucks a month go with the passat, and if you can afford to, the Atlas is real nice.

[@klarckewatz3351]

My 2020 gli w 8k miles is supposed to be mine next week. So excited. Big upgrade over my 2012 malibu😂

[@anthonyamodio9995]

these frustrations only seem to matter on a beautiful windy road which is where all these tests take place. i may be naive and just not have fun roads to drive (south florida), but i never need a gear to hold at redline for me to finish a corner. my last car was a jaguar xe v6 supercharged that would bounce off the redline in manual sport but that was never necessary or even fun tbh.

[@daven6145]

What's a good all season tire to replace the nightmare EOM Hankook that VW put on the vehicle?

[@scorber23]

I know it's a year later, but I put on Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate (high performance all season) on mine and it is literally night and day difference .. it changed the way the gli performs all the way around

[@jakejanusi5554]

I own this car and love it. Slide the gear shifter to the right and use that as opposed to the paddles it will automatically downshift but never automatically upshift. I have never even used the paddles because I knew how bad they were in the Fusion I had before it and I just don’t trust paddles. Definitely needed better tires they slip all the time especially when it’s wet even if you’re not trying to get on it. Other than that ZERO complaints. The automatic transmission definitely sticks a gear higher than I would like but when you step on it she doesn’t hesitate to get nasty. Everyone complains about the “plastic” but it’s not like it’s cheap or shitty every person that’s looked at the interior thought it looks cool as shit. The thing you don’t get is the ambient lighting inside. The colors are dope as hell man!

[@marco1173]

I wonder if a trans tune will get rid of those unwanted shifts in manual mode? I have to agree, it does seem weird to have a manual mode only to have the car do it when it wants to anyway. I don't know tho. $34k is already a pretty steep price tag to have to add aftermarket mods on top of that just to make the car what it should've been from the start.

[@SonOfTheDawn515]

I got the S for 30k last year (it'll be close to $34k with interest of course at the end and I'm at 2.9%).

[@marco1173]

@@SonOfTheDawn515 Oof

[@nathanstuart2215]

I AGREE.

[@Chimmy912]

Seems like a good competitor to my Mazda6 with the Turbo. The DSG is probably much more responsive

[@carlohenley4044]

I have a 2019 base Golf Sportwagen 4Motion DSG, with a Unitronic Stage 1 tune. I always drive in manual mode, using the shifter because I have no paddles. It does auto-upshift, but only at the 6700 RPM redline. It's never auto-upshifted on me in manual mode before redline, and I can downshift in to any gear, even when the downshift is within a few hundred RPM of redline. It's the first car I've had where I can smoothly shift down to 1st gear around a tight corner, without stopping. It's an amazing drivetrain for the money. I hope VW hasn't ruined the manual DSG experience :(

[@GoadedGoblin]

$500 bag? Will it fit in the Porsche I also can't afford? Yikes.

[@seelooney5509]

I'll never buy another hyundai. The elantra N looks horrible

[@mcwendel8066]

So if peak power is at 5000 RPMs and peek torque‘s at 1500 RPMs why do you wanna go beyond that? It’s a Jetta dude! 🤣

[@Subpac_ww2]

My GLI, at $28k in 2019, was 100% worth the money. Honestly, $6k more for NO MAJOR HARDWARE UPDATE and even worse paint, pass. I am glad I got my last VW when I did. Pre-pandemic quality was better too(which is a stretch to say for any VW made in Mexico....) and actually slightly faster in the 60-120mph pull. How VW managed to make is slower is beyond me. But for $6k more I would expect it to FINALLY come with some summer performance tires(like ALL it's direct competitors) yet VW still let's them leave the lots with junk Hankook tires, doing their product a huge disservice....you can tell VW never reads Car & Driver or the forums, that's for sure. They'd sell more if they did. Additionally, a problem with the GLI, it's slower than a 2.0T Honda Accord Sport. By a lot. That is not right.... So, as a reault of VW not staying competitive and charging more than ever, my $28k GLI is going to have 400hp by the end of the week thanks to APR and I will keep it to the grave. VW can't build a competitive car anymore, you gotta make it yourself.

[@stevemartegani]

They changed the DSG programming in 2018 when they went to the 7 speed. The 2017 GTI sport I had allowed full manual control plus would hold revs to redline, it was wonderful especially with sticky tires and a rear swaybar! As mentioned, there are transmission tunes available to fix this. But man its inexcusable why they would ruin the experience.

[@scrutch666]

Really loved my 2018 gti dsg but when i came to the redlight in manual mode and even in some situations in auto mode i had this hick ups and it was not smooth in downshifting at low speeds before coming to a halt. Maybe it was my input failure but that was something i never really got used to.

[@Chris-qe6qr]

Because of emission regulations I imagine

[@RCSonicjet]

Makes sense. We had a 2020 Jetta SEL with the 8 speed and traded the lease in early for a smoking deal on a 22 Taos SEL with the 7 speed DSG and Matt here has fully articulated my feelings on the DSG. Simply makes zero sense in the car to use anything but S or D. I actually prefer the 8 speed slush's manual mode. Had way more freedom.

[@MaxiimTribe]

nothing a tune cant fix and if you're not tuning there are probably better options for you

[@etonthompson5175]

Transmission tunes could void the warranty.

[@richardmahoney9415]

I’m intrigued by these as a cheap daily driver that’s semi fun to drive never even sat in one just always loved the look

[@lucasschmitz4588]

Vw golfs and jettas especially now are great dailys plus with a few upgrades and a tune they can be rather fast aswell

[@MrWhitePerson]

30k is cheap?

[@lucasschmitz4588]

@@MrWhitePerson for bramd new yes considering a 2018 golf gti is 23k aont bad either

[@nathanstuart2215]

hmitz4588

[@nathanstuart2215]

​I AGREE it's not cheap. I think it will be like that. I don't see them selling them for less money. I might buy it. I don't want to become a slave to the bank.

[@dinoandrighetto9111]

To fix the gearbox problem shifting early, couldn’t you just get a DSG tune?

[@scorber23]

Yes. Many amazing TCU tunes make this DSG even faster/crisper and allows for full manual mode, auto shifting disengaged with 7k+ redline shifting + temp control ect. IE Integrated Engineering has an amazing ECU and TCU tune for this Mk7 EA888

[@citoacion]

speculation, but newer vehicles don't let you go above a certain rpm because the engine isn't broken in yet. Some cars don't let you go above 4k rpm until 1 or 2k miles on the odometer

[@masterofdisaster666]

Whats the point of a DSG that does not listen to you

[@singular9]

I can explain the gear box: Peak power is at 5000 RPM. The tuning and ECU see zero reason to keep reving, so it shifts.

[@vvevvevvvv]

So why they made a 6500rpm redline? What for?

[@noprob364]

@@vvevvevvvv because you aren't in danger of over speeding the engine. Just because you have another 1500rpm doesn't mean you have to use it.

[@vvevvevvvv]

@@noprob364 it means exactly that. But the stupid programming won't let ya

[@darrenmathias9384]

@@noprob364 They could have set the limiter at 6000 rpm. The reason it extends beyond that is for the fun of revving it out, which confusingly it does not allow (unless probably you max out the car to top speed so there is no next gear lol)

[@TerpCrazy]

You have to change the lever to sport or else it just reverts back to auto shifting … kinda a weird thing but yeah

[@ninjeff]

Why doesnt the Mazda3 turbo ever get mentioned? Not hating, just curious.

[@rootsmanuva82]

The great thing about the EA888 motor is that a simple stage 1 tune yields about 325 hp and 390 lbs of torque on 93. That’s approaching the power to weight of an original GLA45 AMG (355 hp, 3,589 lbs) . Combine that with a DSG tune, which you don’t need but is nice to have, and it’s a properly fast “sleeper”.

[@joes.7536]

Agreed most enthusiast that buy turbo Volkswagens Tune it and lower it immediately. I have to all mine. Currently driving a 1.8t. Downpipe and tune within 48hrs of ownership.

[@Pamlicojdjdj1487]

I still like my new car warranty tho

[@touringmagazine5935]

I’ve always liked the GLI!

[@anonymoussoap8310]

Attempt number 5 (I think) of identifying Matt's watch of the day : Seiko SSK005 , new-ish GMT model for the 5 sports line , this exact model features an eye catching orange dial. I personally have been thinking of getting this exact watch.

[@rpitneyjr]

I wish he would say what he's wearing in these.

[@negahplz1156]

Same!

[@anonymoussoap8310]

@@rpitneyjr He said on the watchandlisten podcast that people on the TST podcast complain when they talked about watches on there. So that's probably why.

[@rpitneyjr]

@@anonymoussoap8310 Bummer!

[@gordonmccracken1209]

I would buy a CPO Volvo S60 for that price. It may not have the sporty intent however the double wishbone front suspension makes it a fluid handling sedan.

[@franciscodelvalle1761]

Same issue I had with my 2020 GTI DSG until I tuned it up with EQT. Auto Up-Shift and Kick-Down is enabled from factory. Same with not being able to downshift to 2nd or 1st if you're high on the RPM range.

[@ducbox572]

I'm not in the market for the GLI or any of its competition, but I've been eyeing the S5 GMT and am now convinced to buy one.

[@ac1143]

Prices these days are insane.

[@argi0774]

What do you mean "for what type of driver"? In general for everyone who likes it and wants it, regardless of "type of driver"

[@stevemiller1626]

A DSG tune from APR *should* fox the shifting issue.

[@rondressler4510]

Been looking at the Jetta GLI and the Mazda 3. You did a nice job in evaluating the GLI. I appreciate your insights.

[@molsen1029]

The key with this car to make it more sporty will be to get a TCU tune at the very least. That will fix the weird stock DSG tuning.

[@toddf93]

did it with mine (went with APR for trans tune), when I did ecu tune... definitely how trans should be tuned from factory

[@LeanBackMac]

Great hot takes. Love my GLI 35 but 34k is steep. Sad they got rid of the base models. I got my GLI 35 Manual new for about 24 before tax title and license. I think its a great car for under 30 but over 30 is another battle. From a mod standpoint the EA888 motor is bullet proof up to about 500HP. recommended first mods. Pull out the snowguard in the air intake for better flow, Better tires, and a tune.

[@samaccurso]

Think it's automatically up shifting as built in protection to help protect the engine. Beautiful car.

[@paial]

You missed the point of buying this platform: Mod's and tune's... you can up the power to 250-270 WHEEL hp with a stage 2. and to 310-330whp with a plug and play (IS38) turbo. There is a tone of great tunes for the DSG, allowing total control of it...

[@motorsport_buddy]

unfortunatly even though it sucks that this is a new car, a 500$ DSG specific tune will really fix every single complaint that was mentioned. (i mean while ur at the tuner you might as well be putting on a stage 1 flash ecu at the same time lol

[@ilyaslobodkin3811]

Lol 5.7 seconds 0-60 DSG. I'd love to see that. I haven't found anyone on KZbin getting less than 6.5 with summer tires and launch control. The average is prob higher than that. When you hear these low 0--60, just add a second and that's what you really get. and I mean best case scenario with summers on. That goes for almost any car tho. I'm not knocking on the car tho. I just ordered one for a 4 year lease. 2024 GLI DSG black. Planning to wrap the red bumper vents in black. I cross shopped with the Subaru WRX auto, but didn't like the CVT among other things. And the Acura TLX A Spec. The Acura is fantastic inside and out. Only negatives is it's not too fast, about same as GLI, difficult to use infotainment system, and lack of rear headroom (anyone over 5'8 will have their head rubbing the ceiling). But I went with the GLI cuz it was better value. Cheaper, much better on gas, cheaper insurance, and just as fun to drive, if not more.

[@deus555]

It's a fun car to drive with great brakes but the launch control is garbage. It revs up to 6500, tires spin, screech and squeal like crazy before it starts to move.. It needs all wheel drive.

[@CogMarks]

I looked into buying a Jetta GLI to replace my 2018 GTI. I bout an Audi A3 instead. I’m happy with my decision.

[@R32vdubb]

“Ah, didn’t take long for to watch the first problem”….. Matt you failed to set the DSG to fully manual!!!! Shift to S and then move shifter to the right……. Now fully in control of the DSG

[@thegirthquake8574]

Interesting to see Matt rocking the new SKX GMT!

[@pvfeB7Ax]

The first thing I always do with my vdubs are new tires! 👍

[@jaball77]

I'm a MK7 GTI owner and I'm considering trading it in for a 21+ GLI for a few reasons. 1) 2" more rear seat room. I have a kid with long legs. She's 6 and already complaining about how dad's car has less leg room than mom's CX-5. 2) Ventilated seats. To get ventilated seats on a GTI means a $41k Autobahn trim car. MUCH cheaper to get ventilated seats in a GLI. 3) Adaptive dampers. Again, MUCH cheaper to get them on the GLI vs GTI.

[@jeffk464]

Or you can learn how to say - "stop whining"

[@BLACATTAK117]

To get the most out of these cars you need to tune them.

[@markmacdonald6452]

I disagree with the Elantra N recommendation, unless you don't mine losing most of your resale value. The Civic and the VW will retain more value. As far as the shifts, if you really like to stretch the gears, get the manual gearbox. That would also bring the price closer to the Civic.

[@mikuelable]

34k nahhh Elantra n in a heartbeat

[@jcsdesign]

I'd be interested in hearing your review of this car in a 6 speed manual. I didn't think the DSG would be such a disappointment to you. Although many GTi owners seem to to think highly of them. I have an MKV GLI in 6 spd and with the right mods, this car has a lot of potential. It actually transforms the car from being a regular family sedan with some sporty character into a budget like Audi A4 in my opinion. This car makes good power with a software tune and a turbo back exhaust. Throw on a set of KW coilovers and a nice set of 18/19" wheels with good rubber and it's becomes a very fun car to drive.

[@dubsessed9790]

Little closer to a budget A3, but fair point.

[@_dmfd]

The DSG is great for a consumer level dual clutch. The issues are mainly with the weird shift points, and clunky creeping but all DCTs feel clunky. Ford & Hyundai have dry DCT systems and they are horrible. The DSG is better forsure but overall the Mk7 MQB platform is disappointing and feels super cheap for $35k

[@JT-fq2bl]

Hyundai have both wet & dry DCT.

[@_dmfd]

@@JT-fq2bl yes their new 8spd is waaaaaaaay better than their 7spd dry DCT. I've had both.

[@SonOfTheDawn515]

I like the DSG with paddles in the MK7. I love sticks but my back injuries/problems plus a move to a hilly state with snow pushed me over. It's more efficient and is quite responsive. No complaints.

[@javan875]

the reason its not shifting the way you want is because the engine hasnt been broken in yet. its not gonna let you redline until its been broken in. even then, its not made to be a track car so why treat it as such

[@grasucat1720]

Nice car for 34k It is the exact same platform as the Skoda Octavia - look at the rear! Ultimately, it's a comfortable car that does everything one may need and can be driven daily.

[@rogersmith8261]

Zack! I see that pan to the garbage cans right as Matt says "Unchanged from the 2022 GLI".