Mk7 GTI vs. 2024 GLI

[Parabola]

I have a low mileage (~50,500 miles) 2015 GTI, manual, S with lightning package, which has served me well and it's been reliable so far. I upgraded the infotainment to MIB2 few years ago and, put in Helix sub and removed CDV from the bleeder in the clutch line, other than that it's stock.
Browsing the cars locally, I came across 2024 GLI, also manual, and started thinking about upgrading as the GTI is pushing 9yrs old and I've been lucky so far not to have any issues with it, but feel like I'm pushing it .
For those that have switched from GTI to GLI, what are the pros and cons? Would you do it again, or you'd wanna go back to GTI?

 

[ElectricEye]

From what I've read over the years here is that the GLI will serve you just fine.
I believe that the biggest "thing" really is that the GTI is the GTI.
It's an icon.
The GLI is just the GLI.

 

[mrmatto]

I test drove a mk7.5 GLI (2023) very recently and it honestly kind of sucked or at least was disappointing. Perhaps the mk7 (2019-2021) is better, but it is NOT simply a sedan version of the GTI. Maybe on its own it's a good car, but compared to the GTI it has worse visibility, a cheaper and poorer quality interior, the AC vents are in a stupid place, and all the digital stuff is painful to use. I also test drove a 2019 BMW 330i and my 2015 GTI still had it beat in every way except cabin noise.

I'd look at a 2019-2021 GTI if I were you if you're dead set on something newer. But I gotta say it's hard to want to give up a car you've taken care of yourself and still has such low mileage. I really don't think you'll find much better.

 

[Parabola]

I test drove a mk7.5 GLI (2023) very recently and it honestly kind of sucked or at least was disappointing. Perhaps the mk7 (2019-2021) is better, but it is NOT simply a sedan version of the GTI. Maybe on its own it's a good car, but compared to the GTI it has worse visibility, a cheaper and poorer quality interior, the AC vents are in a stupid place, and all the digital stuff is painful to use. I also test drove a 2019 BMW 330i and my 2015 GTI still had it beat in every way except cabin noise.

I'd look at a 2019-2021 GTI if I were you if you're dead set on something newer. But I gotta say it's hard to want to give up a car you've taken care of yourself and still has such low mileage. I really don't think you'll find much better.

I get what you’re saying, even though I haven’t had a chance to drive GLI…had a few rental Jettas over the years, and yeah interior does not stand up to mk7 GTI. Like I said, my GTI is super reliable and don’t really need to get into new ride, but just wanted to hear what others are saying who switched over. GLI seems like a bargain these days at $30k though and comes with three pedals.

 

[mrmatto]

I get what you’re saying, even though I haven’t had a chance to drive GLI…had a few rental Jettas over the years, and yeah interior does not stand up to mk7 GTI. Like I said, my GTI is super reliable and don’t really need to get into new ride, but just wanted to hear what others are saying who switched over. GLI seems like a bargain these days at $30k though and comes with three pedals.

Yeah it's definitely a bargain! And the newer ones you have ventilated seats, digital cockpit, and all kinds of goodies. They really load up the features, but to keep the price down they make cuts elsewhere that make the car feel a little crappy, and that's ultimately what disappointed me. But definitely do some test drives. If you have a Carmax near you, that's generally a low-pressure environment with a wide variety of cars to try out.

 

[snobrdrdan]

Yeah it's definitely a bargain! And the newer ones you have ventilated seats, digital cockpit, and all kinds of goodies. They really load up the features, but to keep the price down they make cuts elsewhere that make the car feel a little crappy, and that's ultimately what disappointed me. But definitely do some test drives. If you have a Carmax near you, that's generally a low-pressure environment with a wide variety of cars to try out.

Yup. I've always been a GLI fan.
The MK5 GTI/GLI were pretty similar. But when the MK6 one came out, I wanted to love it (as the family was just starting) but it was a HUGE let down on the interior (compared to the GTI) with all of the hard plastic & cost cutting.
They're nice, but definitely not on a GTI level.

 

[GTI Jake]

I’ve owned my 2016 GTI eight years now, and had a 2021 GLI Autobahn for my wife for two years (traded it in last fall for a Volvo XC90).

I’d buy another GLI in a heartbeat. The only reason kept the GTI over it was I’d just completely rebuilt the 6MT along with a WaveTrac installation and knew I’d never get my money back from that project.

 

[Maiden69]

Yup. I've always been a GLI fan.
The MK5 GTI/GLI were pretty similar.

I don't know, I had a 2005 GLI, and test drove an 07 and was let down by the quality. Faster, but felt cheap. I do agree that the MK6 was pure garbage compared to both the MK4 and 5. When I bought my 2020 GTI I drove a 2020 GLI, was not impressed. I don't think I can place them in the same category as the GTI, no matter what GEN, but the quality and handling characteristics did suffer after the MK4/5.

 

[EpicTech]

Not long ago when I still had my 21' Jetta Redline I found myself still choosing to take the GTI. It just drives better. Even when it was stock it's just a different animal. The Jetta was supposed to be my new daily so as to keep miles off the GTI, but it was so normal feeling apart from the GTI that I found the car boring. It's a good car don't get me wrong, but I decided that if I was going to have a normal vehicle, to get something I could use. Ended up getting my 2023 Tacoma.

 

[swcrow]

Question to the OP....do you really need a bigger car, cause that's what the GLI is. Drop in a bigger turbo, tune it and enjoy it.....9 years is nothing....if you like it, keep it!

 

[mrmatto]

I’ve owned my 2016 GTI eight years now, and had a 2021 GLI Autobahn for my wife for two years (traded it in last fall for a Volvo XC90).

I’d buy another GLI in a heartbeat. The only reason kept the GTI over it was I’d just completely rebuilt the 6MT along with a WaveTrac installation and knew I’d never get my money back from that project.

Did you find the mk7 GLI interior pretty comparable to the GTI's? The mk7.5 GLI interior is definitely not.

 

[YamR1rider]

Question to the OP....do you really need a bigger car, cause that's what the GLI is. Drop in a bigger turbo, tune it and enjoy it.....9 years is nothing....if you like it, keep it!

Agree....also, 50k miles is nothing. Enjoy it being paid off, keep up with maintenance and be happy. GLI to me (even a newer one) seems more of a lateral move and as @ElectricEye said, GTI hatchback is just more iconic, especially here in the US with the general preference for saloon cars (which I've never really understood given the greater practicality of the hatch).

 

[mrmatto]

I think if you go test drive the GLI and maybe a few other cars you'll realize how great your GTI is

 

[EpicTech]

I think if you go test drive the GLI and maybe a few other cars you'll realize how great your GTI is

^this

 

[StockblockGLI]

Do it. It is literally a GTI with a trunk. You actually get more for the money in terms of options and space. I like it more than the GTI.