Osvern Davidson I 100% agree. A manual transmission makes a car much more enjoyable to drive. Especially a 4 cylinder turbo like the gli. I had a 2006 Saab 9-3 turbo manual and the automatic version was boring and actually much slower.
Manual offered ,but with uselessly tall gearing, you can break the speed limit on the highway in 2nd gear. Gas pedal is made for automatics, with a downshift pedal transition built in that wasn't removed for the manual. Fail.
5.6 seconds is great. I think the last gen GLI with the DSG did it in about 6.5. This is a great car and will be an awesome value on the used market in a couple years.
GTI owner here... that “boost gauge” display doesn’t factor out atmospheric pressure - which is going to be different depending where you’re located. They really shouldn’t have included a number and should have just used a non-descript needle or bars.
I have never understood why car companies will give a car a soft touch dashboard... yet no padding on the transmission tunnel where your knee will rest all the time.... no one even touches their dashboard...
Completely agree with this. I guess their rationale is that you're looking at your dashboard more than looking beneath it (hence why hard plastics are usually down there). Idk.
VW doesnt subtract the atmospheric pressure in the boast gauge, so if you do some quick subtraction of 14.6 from the gauge when your at 6k rpm at peak boost you might get a bit distracted
@@TheKacper2001 going faster. Hellcats for example you can get a manual or one of the best autos in the industry. And auto will do great in traffic and also will be faster when put against the manual. I'm a manual fanboy too but the facts are: autos are better.
@@_LEONKING_ there will always be another car faster regardless of the transmission and there won't be a huge difference of speed with a good manual driver. Most people simply pick auto purely for comfort and ease of use.
Interesting to hear the Accord recommendation. I went from a ‘16 GTI DSG to the Accord 2.0t Sport 10AT, now when my lease is out I want to go back to something smaller. The Accord is faster than the GTI, no doubt, but despite how well it handles you feel the size, it’s a big car. As for the WRX, I’d love AWD but I’ve heard it rides pretty harsh. Keep up the good work!
Have a 2.0T Sport manual and while I agree it’s a great car I really want something smaller! Thinking about a GTI now which is what I liked the most when test driving.
Accord faster than a gti? that's debatable they are pretty close in numbers in quarter mile and 0 to 60. However in around a track the accord would be way slower.
Yay Matt! Glad you got around to this one as now I own two 2019 Mk7 Jetta's, my 14 month old S trim and a two month old GLI 35th Anniversary model both with 6 speed manuals. I am SO loving this new GLI as it is my first performance car since I had my 69 Mustang with a 351 V8 back in the early 80s. Also it is just as fast in a straight line which is incredible considering the fuel economy. The DCC or adaptive dampeners in the 35th trim are amazing for track handling and comfort city driving. Yes I am going to Autocross her when I get some all summer 300 tread ware tires on. Highly recommend both versions of this new Jetta. The basic Jetta for a more affordable and softer riding upscale driving experience and of course the GLI for the daily driver you can still take to the track or tear up a back road for fun. Just to point out even though you are correct these ride higher than a GTI it is noticeable lower than the standard Jetta. Excellent review as always and fully agreed about the differences between the Jetta and the GTI and with that in mind I still feel these are still best in class. (yes the key is disappointing but it is small and light at least, lol)
@@MattMaranMotoring anytime sir, I have been enjoying your channel since the BRZ days and as I dude your fathers age I am really happy and impressed with your success Matt. Our best to Beth and have her help with reviews more, she is a delight. Look forward to the next one!
Spot-on analysis versus the GTI. I've owned both and the GLI feels a touch softer in the steering, suspension, and braking. Add the padded seats with less bolster support and the higher seating position - it doesn't have QUITE enough GTI in it for me - BUT as you said, it's still a very nice, sporty, compact sedan.
Great Review! I own this exact tester down to the color and Manual with 10k Miles so far! I spend about 3500 miles a month on the road and as a four-time GLI owner I definitely like this one the most. I slapped a APRtune on it as soon as I got it, this not only gives some more ponies but I'm also seeing about 37-39mpg hwy. My only complaints with it is the annoying Hill start that seems to definitely hold much too long. 2nd is Not being able to have text messages read to you well vehicle is in motion like previous generation. Other than that it's a lot of car for the money!
Great review. Really good looking car, and looks fantastic rolling down the road. Love seeing the new GLI pull up in my rear-view mirror, or coming towards me
I noticed that after my GLI hit 4,000 miles it pulled a LOT harder. It's probably all in my head, but I've seen a couple others talking about the same thing on the forums. Who knows
Recently purchased a 2019 VW GLI 35TH anniversary DSG - this car belongs in DSG it feels a lot faster than the manual and because this car is a more comfortable "GTI" it actually feels right with the DSG. 35TH is also a bit better with handling with the DCC. The GLI is a great car but if you really just care for sporty driving, get a GTI. The GLI is great for someone who wants a sporty daily driver with rear seat space and a big trunk. I had a 2015 GTI and I loved it but I also love the GLI in its own respect. P.S. the cloth seats are a bit more holding than the leatherette!
Flat in my DSG i got 5.5 0-60 but once you tune these cars the DSG really out performs the manual in every aspect - I'd say drive both to see for yourself at the end of the day its preference!
@@dasneekj so with a tune does the manual not stay within the same range of 0 to 60 and quarter mile??? I wouldn't think it would be a huge gap. It just the dsg really provide ease of use
Really like your videos, especially the 6spd manuals, but would like to see more of the road views over just the the face shots (don’t get me wrong, we like you too lol), just seeing what your POV gives a bit more realism. Oh, did you get to test the 2019 Honda sport 2.0t 6spd yet? Would definitely like to hear/see your review on that one! Thanks again...happy trails..👍
Oh Matt, VW does not subtract the atmospheric pressure from the boost gauge which is about 14.6 at sea level. So 32 psi minus 14ish psi equals the 18 psi this engine generates. Yes the sound is a bit quieter but you can hear blowoff up in the mountains hitting it hard. Catback is the first project for me, lol.
thanks for the review. I bought the first one of these that arrived in town. When I found out I could get a MANUAL!! and red, I was at the dealer's door the next day. But a favor here please: (1) All car reviewers seem to think we are going to track our cars and therefore are always asking for more bolstering. Well, most of us do not track our cars, especially one like the Jetta GTI. Doing a road trip in a car with big bolsters just ends up in thigh chafing and no ability to just wriggle around and stretch in the seat. This likewise applies to the cars where the bolstering continues up the sides. A road trip in a cocoon is not a good thing. (2) The absence of an imbedded NAV system is NOT a good thing. Oh yes, Apple Car Play does work as a NAV, but ACP depends on a cellular signal, whereas most factory NAV systems work off of a satellite. So two things: (1) Using the ACP for navigation eats up data minutes and (2) When out in the boonies on a long road trip, guess what, NO cell reception or weak cell reception means no NAV. Otherwise, I generally like this car. Do wish the ventilated seats had more ventilation up the back as well as the seat surface. it gets hot here in Texas. Keep up the good work. If the car companies listen to guys like you, please ask them, "More manuals, please!!!
Looks great in red. A base GLI with an APR+ tune (fully covered under warranty) will give you a serious performance sedan with nearly 300 HP for way under $30K.
I've got a 2014 GLI 6-Speed and I absolutely love it. I was torn between buying a 2015 Subaru Crosstrek manual and my GLI and I am so happy I bought the GLI.
Get the APR+ tune and an intake for 290hp and 320TQ for around $1400 and you'll be faster than a stock GTI or Golf R (granted you won't have 4motion like the R) and you'll still be spending way less than a GTI or R
I have a 2017 GLI in Tornado Red and 6spd Manual and i see the interior is a bit more updated but same steering wheel and HVAC controls. Looks nice but i am very happy with mine been one of the best cars i have owned so far and its a great daily driver sporty enough for me and not get me into too much trouble. Oh and i Vw uses a thing called Vodkator or something to enhance the engine sound its under the cowl of the hood. I actually dont like the Fake/enhanced sound i need to unplug it.
Funny my buddy bought one of these...he had Mini which got horrible mpg. I couldn't have imagined him ever getting a VW but I said the same about the Mini. But anyhow he let me drive the car and it's a fun car to drive. I felt the same with it feeling like it taking longer to engage. It also left some to be desired in terms of power but decent for what it is. For the money I would've got a WRX or a used CTS-V but that's me. Came with a good warranty though.
.2 second difference, that can easily be made up by a good driver manual. So both are great, I wish they would upgrade the manual to 7 speed with rev match, anti stall, and great gearing.
2:45 "These seats are not borrowed from the GTI and that is unfortunate..." Um no. That is very fortunate. The GTI seats feel like a prison. They are overly bolstered which makes them uncomfortable for daily driving and long trips and getting in and out is just that much harder. These seats are so much better for the average driver. Good job VW.
I almost have the impression that VW has been focusing on their SUV’s so much that they’ve lost their way a bit with their cars. If one selects GTI/GLI, then VW should know these people want something sporty. Not a compromise in sportiness for comfort.
The boost gauge reading I think is total manifold psi but you have to minus the atmospheric psi which is 14.7 from whatever the boost psi the gauge shows. It's weird don't even know why VW wouldn't put a normal boost gauge on there.
The GTI will also feel more nimble due to its shorter wheel base. Compared to a GTI, feature for feature, the GLI is a bargain if you compare the 30k GLI Autobahn vs. 38k GTI Autobahn trim.
well it actually kind of makes sense, but I do think the gti should be maybe like $1-$2k cheaper. but the GTI autobahn does have led foglights, adaptive front light system, led cornering lights, adaptive cruise control, lane assist, automatic high beams, navigation, 360 degree overhead view camera, automatic parallel/perpendicular parking, rear ac vents, dcc adaptive chassis control, 12-way adjustable driver's seat, and sportier front seats over the GLI autobahn. while the GLI autobahn only has the digital cockpit and ventilated seats over the GTI.
Thank you for the review Matt. Could you possibly compare this manual Jetta GLI to an Accord Sport 2.0 6 speed by any chance ? They have similar engines and both available with a manual.
There is another video on RU-vid that directly compares the 2. On paper, I’d be torn between them. The typical Honda reliability is a big + if a long term relationship with a car is your thing. To counter that, VW backs their car with a nice base warranty. The other video takes points away from Honda for its shifter and that may be the tiebreaker for most of us. If we are shortening our shopping list to manual only cars, most of us will want a slick shifting one.
I will say seating position while important is a rather subject thing. Some people like sitting higher even in sporty vehicles cause it gives them a better idea of where their corners are. But hey, personal differences
Also the accord sport has an open differential not an limited slip differential. The power doesn't get put down as well through corners as the GLI does. Overall highway drives that are longer and straighter yeah the accord for sure, but everyday city or back roads just for joy riding, GLI all day
Thanks for the video. I test drove both DSG and manual and DSG is way faster; it's not even close. Manual shift throws are way too long to be considered sporty. I also agree the car should be lowered about an inch.
Matt, I recommend you carry a tape measure or at least check the specs when you do reviews. You think the GLI has "way, way more trunk space than a GTI"? (10:17). A GTI has 17.4 cubic ft of cargo space with the rear shelf in place. The GLI has 14.1 cubic ft. Numbers don't tell the whole story, of course. The shape of a cargo space can make a difference in what and how to pack. The GLI's trunk is deeper than the GTI's as a result of the fact that the GLI is almost a foot more in overall length. But the total cargo space in the GTI is 23% larger! Furthermore, the GLI's trunk hinges impinge on cargo space in a way that restrict the shape of cargo that can be carried. As far as overall cargo space behind the first row, the GTI wins on that measure as well with more than 53 cubic ft of cargo space compared to the GLI's 44. Again, the GLI is relatively generous for a compact sedan but it doesn't come close to the GTI.
When I talk about trunk space I talk about floor space mainly, and I noted that the GTI would be better if you stack. Realistically, for average daily activities (like grocery bags that don’t stack) the GLI is roomier than the GTI. That’s what I was getting at, and why I don’t just rely on overall measurements as they can be misleading.
@@closg9309 As already noted, the shape of cargo space can be an important factor in determining how satisfactory a vehicle is for carrying particular objects. Nevertheless, that doesn't trump the empirical evidence of actual capacity. And it certainly doesn't mean that the Jetta has a "way bigger trunk." It doesn't.
Holy trunk lid arms, Batman... those things are huge! I don't see how you could put much of anything in the trunk under those without it being crushed by those arms when you close the lid. I know that's a weird nit to pick, but I remember when the Jetta had cool double-hinged trunk lid hinges that didn't intrude into the trunk AT ALL. Unfortunately those got nixed when they made the Jetta "more affordable" (cheaper). Great review, as usual, but all in all, it's a pass for me on this vehicle. I'd DEFINITELY take the Honda Accord Sport 2.0 manual over this - IF - it didn't have that HIDEOUS face. I hope that gets a big revision SOON, because it's a great car otherwise.
In your video you mentioned that the DsG version does not have rev-matching downshifts, but I’ve seen a few write ups claiming it does have rev matching downshifts. Any confirmation on this ?
Cylinder balance seems a bit off on this tester from the engine sound I'm hearing. May have been hammered too much and is exhibiting hot stuck rings or fuel quality is suspect. I enjoy my Base Jetta for 16,800 out the door. The 1.4 t is fine up to say 75mph then it slacks off. Great around town, but a bit lazy for hard charging highway driving. Look at the Motorweek video - their test vehicle is running 100% + - Sandy
Some people prefer taller seating positions. Better view of the road, easier ingress and egress. I spend 99.999% of my time driving in normal commuting duties. While lower seat height may feel more sporty, in a 4-door sedan I think the taller seats are more practical.
I'm one of those that prefer a higher seating position to get a better view of the road, especially while manually shifting. Agree with Matt that that this is a "solid value" and with my kids being on the tall side, I would put this on my (very) short list.
I've really never been a fan of VW and was thinking of purchasing a new civic si. but after seeing this video, I'm definitely going to be test driving one of these bad boys. This thing is minimalistic and gorgeous at the same time
Having just purchased a used WRX I've waved goodbye to front wheel vehicles for good! I'm gonna wait on the 2022 VW Tiguan that looks amazing! I would like for you to review the Subaru Cross Trek if you haven't already. Thanks!
Thanks for the review, Matt! This car looks very spacious. Other than that, it's pretty cheap-looking, and its design is less inspiring than a cereal box. Has VW looked at the competition, lately?
The problem with this car is the GTI exists. Not that there is anything wrong with that but most Americans are hooked on hatch backs. Odds are I would opt for the DSG myself not big on VW manual gearbox’s. I love a good manual but for some reason VW dropped the ball with their gearboxes.
Americans are *not* hooked on hatchbacks - unless you count "subcompact crossovers" which are basically lifted hatchbacks. I love hatchbacks and own a GTI, but I think sedans are still more popular here in the US.
@@NOFATCHICK1 it's more of less than same car but with a trunk. I don't care for the tech B.S myself odds are I'd but a base car without all the crap. The fact that it's got a digital dash is enough to sway me away from Vws these days. At least the newer ones.
All Jettas come with LED headlights... also you knocked it for having cheap plastic interior but yet you compared it to other like the base Civic. I can assure you the the 10th gen Civic has a lot of hard plastic and if anything is cheaper than this. Even the new Accord has hard plastic by your knees. I know because I have those cars too. Just letting you know since you are giving false info on that part of your review.
Haven't driven an S3 unfortunately so it's hard for me to say, but considering it's nicer and more powerful, I'd likely go for the S3 if you could afford it over this. Unless you really want a manual.
This is a perfect car for that tho! I am not a big guy but I find these seats more comfortable than a GTI. I am not looking to drive like I am on a race track every time I get in the car. Picking up my new 35th this week.
