“… a true German road car …”
Volkswagen’s Jetta sedan was all-new for the North American market for the 1985 model year. The top-of-the-line version (and the one that attracted the most attention from the “buff books”) was the GLI. The Jetta was a small car by modern standards—the 171.7-inch length makes it more than a foot shorter than the 2025 Jetta.
Under the hood was a 100 bhp 1.8 liter/109 ci inline four with Bosch KE-Jetronic fuel injection. A five-speed manual transmission completed the rest of the powertrain—an automatic transmission was optional. Car and Driver recorded a 10.9-second 0-60 time and a 108 mph top speed in a vehicle with a 2,460-pound curb weight. Fuel economy was rated at 26 city/32 highway (23/29 by today’s measures); a 14.5-gallon gas tank gave a 340 to 375-mile range with a 10% fuel reserve.
The Jetta GLI’s base price was $10,315—about $31,600 in 2025 dollars and just a little less than the 2025 Jetta GLI goes for. Standard exterior and mechanical equipment included a front spoiler, aerodynamic halogen headlights, tinted glass, quick ratio power assisted rack and pinion steering, power-assisted four wheel disc brakes with the front brakes ventilated, and 185/60HR14 performance series steel belted radial tires (a size still readily available) on 14-inch styled alloy wheels. Inside, fully reclining front sport bucket seats with adjustable headrests, a 4-spoke leather-wrapped Sport steering wheel, a leather shift knob, a center console, and an electric rear window defroster were included.
Options & Period Reviews
Individual options were relatively few and included a manual sunroof ($335), metallic paint ($150), air conditioning ($725), cruise control, and an AM/FM stereo cassette with four speakers ($575). The $595 power-assist group included power windows, power door locks, and power mirrors.
The 1985 Jetta GLI got good reviews—Car and Driver‘s tagline was “one of the most capable sport sedans.”
The View From 2025
Second-generation Jettas have a following, and GLIs are occasionally featured in the Hemming’s Motor News classifieds, eBay Motors, and Bring a Trailer.
Make mine Black, please.
I have also written about the 1981 Dasher station wagon, the 1981 Sirocco S hatchback coupe, the 1983 Rabbit GTI hatchback coupe, and the 1985 Cabriolet.
Eighties Cars 