The 2.8-L narrow-angle V6, or VR6 as Volkswagen calls it, gets a new 24-valve cylinder head improving output to 200-hp from 174 last year, while torque is up to 195 from 181 lb-ft. It's easy to feel the difference in forward thrust. A few years back VW fans would have thought the Germans joking if told their future VR6 equipped Volkswagens would produce 200 horsepower. But in today's world, rivals with similar curb weights are producing 240-hp V6 engines making the upgraded GLI seem almost anticlimactic. It's no wonder VW is making mention of a 240-hp VR6 in its near future.
But why wait. The GLI isn't all about power anyway. No, it's more about the complete package of quality, performance and cool. That's right. The Jetta GLI, with its unassuming good looks, 17-inch 5-spoke alloy rims, low profile tires, and jet black paint gets more looks from the young and restless generation Y and X than most of the cars I drive. Its subtle GLI script on the rear deck lid packs a lot of respect among the tuner crowd too.
But there's another reason why the VW commands respect. It costs more to buy one that many of its competitors. Load it up in GLX trim and the price rises to over $37,000. That's already past the base price of an Audi A4 1.8T, but now with more power and a lot more equipment. The GLI gets all the respect at only $30,950. That results in a payment easy enough for most middle income earners to handle.
When you're talking price though, it's important to look at the entire cost of ownership. Maintenance is covered by VW's 48 month / 80,000 km comprehensive warranty with an extra year and 20,000 km of powertrain protection, so that's not what I'm talking about when I say cost of ownership. It comes down to how much you pay for a car and then how much you can sell it for when it's time for a new one. It's the difference between the two that makes up the actual cost. It's similar to figuring out how much income you make a year. Most people tell you their gross income and leave it at that. I like to start with the gross, subtract all my living expenses including car payments, and figure out how much I've put into savings and investments. That nominal number in my case will be my real earnings. It makes sense right?