The GLI comes with only one transmission, a wonderfully precise 6-speed manual gearbox. This says more about the car's mission than any other aspect. It's a driver's machine first, optimized for carving up canyon roads and flattening out undulating seaside highways.
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| Incorporating Electronic Stability Program, a four-wheel independent suspension and McPherson struts, the GLI flattens curving, undulating roads. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Its power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering produces direct turn-in with virtually no dead spot at center. The GLI's four-wheel independent suspension system, that incorporates McPherson struts, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers and an integrated stabilizer bar, front and rear, is magical, with a little assistance from four P225/45R17 H performance tires mated to 17-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels. Of course, gravity mixing with velocity and traction the way it does, Volkswagen wisely includes Electronic Stability Program (ESP) as standard equipment.
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| The Jetta GLI has an assortment of standard features too long to list, but the Monsoon audio system and 5-way heated seats are particularly impressive. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
With the GLI's only options, apart from the aforementioned leather package, include a power glass sunroof at $1015 and a side-impact safety system called Side Curtain Protection at $220, additional standard features are much too long to list. Of note, a top grade Monsoon audio system is very capable of pumping out tunes with the same level of authority as the engine accelerates. Also the 5-way heated seats can be set from warm breeze to bake, the perfect solution for relieving an aching back. The seats themselves are superb. I personally would opt for the cloth that came in my tester over the leather, as it holds back and bottom in place better than slippery hides. It looks extremely attractive too, especially in the light gray tone I spent a week driving through town and country in.
There's a surprising amount of room inside for legs, shoulders and heads, at all seating positions. The rear seats split and fold in a 60/40 configuration, making way for long, otherwise awkward items to be passed through from the 400 L (14.1 cu ft) trunk while a third person, or two children ride along.