It’s a slight increase but you gain adaptive damping and I don’t remember the last autobahn having the heated steering wheel either. I wish they made a more stripped out version but they barely sell these😢
The GLI is a great (and practical) driver's car! And VW's manual transmissions are flawless! I still have my now 22 year old 2003 GTI VR6 (with a 6-speed manual), and have never had to do anything to that tranny (never even changed the tranny oil even once), and it shifts like new! When it comes to reliability, if you get a VW with a manual AND a well designed engine, you are golden!
I like VWs! I drove a new '98 Passat GLA 1.8T 5speed for 24 yrs. It got an APR chip (150hp became 200hp), new shocks/springs, a Neuspeed short shifter, .... (If I could do it again, I would have gotten the wagon, and maybe the fwd 6 cylinder engine/5spd) Like any German machine, VWs are great cars if you feed them a steady diet of spare parts.
I'm a big fan of somewhat sporty cars that use regular fuel. I see cars that recommend or require premium as crossing over into impractical territory even if it realistically isn't that big of a deal. Yet another reason I'm excited for the new Prelude, which presumably uses regular.
Always a fun review. Can't help but smile when watching. My only question is for the OEM's Why? Why simulate engine sounds. What is the point. It's not a video game. Im glad VW is still making a car for regular people.
As a former VW family owner I literally learned to drive a step shift on a new VW fox. The VW Jetta client for a manual are few in the US. The GLI is already a specialty sub class and the dual clutch is more reasonable for newer drivers. Anyone who remembers clutching around in traffic especially with occupants and the stress will know what I am referring to. That said I live very near VW dealer (3 blocks) and they sold GLi out (3). The trade in market is tricky with these since there are so few drivers of step clutch cars. Honda still rules around here with occasional WRX making an appearance. This a guy's car and I am happy that VW still makes it. Former Sciroco, Fox, Golf, and Quantum.and yes they all had one electrical issue or another but driver engagement and almost aspirational religion to things German carried them along way.
I wish the Si had an auto option and I still have no idea if I would be comfortable in the Elantra N's stripped out buckets (bad joint problems and stuff) I have a 24 40th anniversary I got under sticker and I love it. I have the adaptive dampers and stuff on it even which is quite nice to have. I had one minor glitch on the telecommunication module that was replaced quickly with no hassle by my dealer and other than that it's been bulletproof so far. Funny enough the 2 German cars I've had have been flawless
I think it really depends where you live at, in usa where the competition is cheaper its a hard sell but in Canada where the only competitor with the same price is the si, it becomes a fantastic choice. Wrx is at least 2 grand more for less options and the elantra n is 5 grand more, the si just has a better transmission. If you can handle the maintenance costs, its the best car out of the competition
Id say it still packs a lot more features/comfort than its competitors in the US too. Though it trades those things for handling and fun factor imo. Give and take, but at least it’s cheap too.
The new design for the GLI is definitely an improvement. I like it a lot. The face lifted GTI is nice - except for the stupid giant screen. But I really don’t think the redesigned SUVs are an improvement. They just look like a Toyota or something. The clean German design is gone 🥹
For capacitive controls, it's just such a sale-killer for me. A car is so expensive and maybe some people just don't care but I'd have a hard time pulling the trigger without physical controls for the regular functions. It's one of the biggest reasons I don't have a new Santa Fe.
That’s a personal one, I really like the new Santa Fe (new video soon), I’d love to have more physical controls and their low position makes them more annoying too but Hyundai didn’t do them AS bad as some brands have at least. I think my least favorite are the ones that require multiple steps to use (think Ford). I’m hoping the industry goes back soon as the best selling cars don’t use them.
What’s the deference between the 24 vs 25? I just test drove a 24 with 2k miles on it with all bells and whistles with 2k miles on it for 29k. I was so tempted to buy it. I also test drove the GTI and it has less back seat room and the GLI felt to be a better daily!
If you were driving a 2024 autobahn (and not the 40th anniversary), the big difference is adaptive damping, heated steering wheel*, styling, and the capacitive controls. Might be some more nuances but that was all that I caught. 29k is good but you might be able to get a new one for 32-33k too (like the one in this video). Best of luck!
A specced out gli is more than an Elantra N and the Elantra N runs faster lap times than a golf r. That's probably the hardest sell. If you want a more comfortable car with a nice interior, there are better cars than the gli too (Mazda 3 turbo or something). As a performance car, it's not competitive
Don't understand why VW can't manufacture fuel flaps....At the local dealer here in Canada, EVERY SINGLE NEW VW in the lot has a fuel flap that is not aligned with the body of the vehicle. That goes for the Atlas, Tiguan, ID4, Golf R etc. Freaking embarrassing.
I have the previous gen GLI, and while I'm fine with its performance as a daily driver, I HATE the seats. They are cheap & unsupportive. Has that been fixed in this gen? I have the 6M transmission and I love being able to throw my own gears. That said, and regardless of the seats, I won't buy a new one because I also hate having a traditional trunk. I previously had a TDI sportwagen with a 6M and I miss it every day! As far as problems, I did have to replace my infotainment system after only 20K miles, and I chose NOT to replace it with VW OEM.
Regular fuel, manual transmission, simple interior. Pretty cool. Price increase is unfortunate tho.
It’s a slight increase but you gain adaptive damping and I don’t remember the last autobahn having the heated steering wheel either. I wish they made a more stripped out version but they barely sell these😢
I personally love the new exterior face design especially the lights.
Agreed, I like that they got rid of the bright red circular air ducts too👌
The Si hatch with this much power and interior comforts for mid 30k would be an instant buy for me.
Sadly Honda won't make the Si hatch cause that would kill the market for the Integra and the upcoming Prelude
I bought one just over 3 weeks ago, and I’m loving it so far
The GLI is a great (and practical) driver's car! And VW's manual transmissions are flawless! I still have my now 22 year old 2003 GTI VR6 (with a 6-speed manual), and have never had to do anything to that tranny (never even changed the tranny oil even once), and it shifts like new! When it comes to reliability, if you get a VW with a manual AND a well designed engine, you are golden!
I just got the same exact trim and year this thing moves for sure yall!
I like VWs! I drove a new '98 Passat GLA 1.8T 5speed for 24 yrs.
It got an APR chip (150hp became 200hp), new shocks/springs, a Neuspeed short shifter, ....
(If I could do it again, I would have gotten the wagon, and maybe the fwd 6 cylinder engine/5spd)
Like any German machine, VWs are great cars if you feed them a steady diet of spare parts.
I'm a big fan of somewhat sporty cars that use regular fuel. I see cars that recommend or require premium as crossing over into impractical territory even if it realistically isn't that big of a deal. Yet another reason I'm excited for the new Prelude, which presumably uses regular.
Always a fun review. Can't help but smile when watching.
My only question is for the OEM's Why? Why simulate engine sounds. What is the point. It's not a video game. Im glad VW is still making a car for regular people.
Here in nyc there has been so many people buying jettas newest and back to the mk7 I’ve seen them on basically every block or parking lot
As a former VW family owner I literally learned to drive a step shift on a new VW fox. The VW Jetta client for a manual are few in the US. The GLI is already a specialty sub class and the dual clutch is more reasonable for newer drivers. Anyone who remembers clutching around in traffic especially with occupants and the stress will know what I am referring to. That said I live very near VW dealer (3 blocks) and they sold GLi out (3). The trade in market is tricky with these since there are so few drivers of step clutch cars. Honda still rules around here with occasional WRX making an appearance. This a guy's car and I am happy that VW still makes it. Former Sciroco, Fox, Golf, and Quantum.and yes they all had one electrical issue or another but driver engagement and almost aspirational religion to things German carried them along way.
Should say VW family after all cars listed.
Depends on the market, the manual VWs actually do just as well as the DCTs in the US by sales numbers (according to GTI sales data).
Visually it looks a ton better but if only VW had gone with a subtler red stripe in the grill like the GTI rather than the lower number.
Another great review on a pretty decent car
I just got the same exact trim and year this thing moves for sure
Nice report Tyler!
It’s a nice car for sure. But if you’re an enthusiast and need 4 doors Elentra N more performance and superior car for under 2k more.
I wish the Si had an auto option and I still have no idea if I would be comfortable in the Elantra N's stripped out buckets (bad joint problems and stuff)
I have a 24 40th anniversary I got under sticker and I love it. I have the adaptive dampers and stuff on it even which is quite nice to have. I had one minor glitch on the telecommunication module that was replaced quickly with no hassle by my dealer and other than that it's been bulletproof so far.
Funny enough the 2 German cars I've had have been flawless
Thanks I was waiting for this
I think it really depends where you live at, in usa where the competition is cheaper its a hard sell but in Canada where the only competitor with the same price is the si, it becomes a fantastic choice. Wrx is at least 2 grand more for less options and the elantra n is 5 grand more, the si just has a better transmission. If you can handle the maintenance costs, its the best car out of the competition
Id say it still packs a lot more features/comfort than its competitors in the US too. Though it trades those things for handling and fun factor imo. Give and take, but at least it’s cheap too.
The new design for the GLI is definitely an improvement. I like it a lot.
The face lifted GTI is nice - except for the stupid giant screen.
But I really don’t think the redesigned SUVs are an improvement. They just look like a Toyota or something. The clean German design is gone 🥹
The number of people who are clueless about this great car is staggering, to my greatest delight 🤗
Had a GLI now a GTI. Both are great cars
Gotta get R next.
Love the new GLI with a manual
its a nice car
Built in Mexico. Still pretty good for the price though.
For capacitive controls, it's just such a sale-killer for me. A car is so expensive and maybe some people just don't care but I'd have a hard time pulling the trigger without physical controls for the regular functions. It's one of the biggest reasons I don't have a new Santa Fe.
That’s a personal one, I really like the new Santa Fe (new video soon), I’d love to have more physical controls and their low position makes them more annoying too but Hyundai didn’t do them AS bad as some brands have at least. I think my least favorite are the ones that require multiple steps to use (think Ford). I’m hoping the industry goes back soon as the best selling cars don’t use them.
What’s the deference between the 24 vs 25? I just test drove a 24 with 2k miles on it with all bells and whistles with 2k miles on it for 29k. I was so tempted to buy it. I also test drove the GTI and it has less back seat room and the GLI felt to be a better daily!
If you were driving a 2024 autobahn (and not the 40th anniversary), the big difference is adaptive damping, heated steering wheel*, styling, and the capacitive controls. Might be some more nuances but that was all that I caught. 29k is good but you might be able to get a new one for 32-33k too (like the one in this video). Best of luck!
A specced out gli is more than an Elantra N and the Elantra N runs faster lap times than a golf r. That's probably the hardest sell.
If you want a more comfortable car with a nice interior, there are better cars than the gli too (Mazda 3 turbo or something). As a performance car, it's not competitive
🔥🔥🔥
Best Mazda 3 awd turbo 🔥🛤️
Have you driven the Kia Forte GT?
Don't understand why VW can't manufacture fuel flaps....At the local dealer here in Canada, EVERY SINGLE NEW VW in the lot has a fuel flap that is not aligned with the body of the vehicle. That goes for the Atlas, Tiguan, ID4, Golf R etc. Freaking embarrassing.
I have the previous gen GLI, and while I'm fine with its performance as a daily driver, I HATE the seats. They are cheap & unsupportive. Has that been fixed in this gen? I have the 6M transmission and I love being able to throw my own gears. That said, and regardless of the seats, I won't buy a new one because I also hate having a traditional trunk. I previously had a TDI sportwagen with a 6M and I miss it every day!
As far as problems, I did have to replace my infotainment system after only 20K miles, and I chose NOT to replace it with VW OEM.
I have a 2025 SEL and I agree, the Beats audio system is not impressive. The Fender system offered in the Tiguan is much better.
Have Beats ever made anything impressive?
German Elantra N vibe.
“Easy to obtain”!? (10:57) Depends where you live. Closest one I can test drive is 200 miles away. 😢
Ouch, that's unfortunate, though at least the lack of markups make them easy to buy!
This is probably the only VW product that I would own. Well maybe this or the Golf R.
Your money your headache down the road
Does anyone else think that the infotainment screen look cheap
No heated steering wheel at this orice in any of the trims? Ooooof....
Heated steering wheel is standard on the US cars!
Mazda 3 manual blows this out the water
VW is trying really hard for this to look like a KIA
Only estethism for 2025, I think the 2023 Autobahn look better and the performance are just the same.
Not available in germany! BUMMER!
the red is so ugly also the tall gearing ruins this car as a manual trans
Did anyone ask for them to replace excellent physical buttons and dials with the capacitive "buttons"
Cost cutting
1st
VW is nobody's first choice. Generic looks and subpar reliability.
Reliability rating is not impressive. Pass.
Gets handily beaten by a Sonata N-line in every category and the Hyundai is cheaper.
The Sonata does not have a limited slip or leather seats
Sonata has no manual and costs $3k more.
It's still a much better performance car, even without an LSD.
Oh, ojay
Word on the street that sound system is a complete abomination especially as compared to other cars and its price and class.
It sounds like it was tuned by Mr. Dre
Which could easily be modded for $400
@@richardmichael59 Absolutely. But that's the problem w/VWs - they need upgrades (ie suspension) bcuz VWofA wants to sell Audis.
2023 interior looks SO MUCH BETTER!!!!!!