DecodedCarsVolkswagen GLI
6 model years from 2022 to 2027, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.
- Model years
- 2022–2027
- Class
- Compact Cars
- Latest engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Best MPG
- 29–30 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 0 campaigns, all years
- Fewest problems
- 2023
- Interest
- 14,797 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2026 GLI in brief
The 2026 Volkswagen GLI is a compact car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 29 MPG combined (26 city / 36 highway), 1% worse than the 2026 compact car average of 29.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,300 a year in fuel.
There are no recalls or owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.
The Volkswagen GLI has 6 model years in our data, from 2022 to 2027.
Its most efficient year was 2025 at 30 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 29 to 30 MPG.
Buying used? 2024 has the fewest problems in our data.
How the 2022 GLI compares
The 2022 Volkswagen GLI is a compact car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 30 MPG combined (26 city / 37 highway), 6% better than the 2022 compact car average of 28.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,250 a year in fuel.
About the Volkswagen GLI
The Volkswagen Jetta is a compact car/small family car manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen since 1979. Positioned to fill a sedan niche slightly above the Golf hatchback, it has been marketed over seven generations, variously as the Atlantic, Vento, Bora, City Jetta, Jetta City, GLI, Jetta, Clasico, and Sagitar.
From the Wikipedia article "Volkswagen Jetta", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Best and worst years to buy used
2024 GLI
0 owner complaints · 0 recalls
None of the 3 model years we compared stands out for complaints or recalls.
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 3 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Show all 6 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 29 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 29 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 30 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 30 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 30 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 30 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
Alternatives to the 2026 GLI
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Toyota Corolla | 50 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Mazda 3 | 30 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Volkswagen Jetta | 34 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Toyota Mirai | – | Not rated | 0 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volkswagen. How we calculate this →