SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) - This week, I took for a spin the Volkswagen Jetta GLI.
The vehicle comes with numerous advantages provided by the planet’s number two automaker in terms of production size.
This is an inexpensive vehicle that includes numerous luxury amenities typically seen in the brand’s pricier supercars.
The vehicle is remarkable for its sporty design and turbocharged Jetta GLI engine. Its comfort comes from both its handling and overall engineering.
Automotive journalist George Polgar, who has tested numerous Jettas throughout his career, remarks, "The Volkswagen Jetta is stunning and consistently enjoyable to operate." He adds, "In its seventh iteration as of now, more than eighteen million Jetta units have been purchased globally ever since the model was launched back in 1980."
Driving the Jetta GLI proved to be quite enjoyable for this journalist when they took control of the vehicle. The key factor lies beneath the car’s exterior. This agile sedan is driven by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four gasoline engine which generates an impressive output of 228 horsepower.
Volkswagen’s so-called Digital Cockpit comes standard on the Jetta GLI. It is both functional and easy to use. That feature includes WIFI if one subscribes to a data plan. This reporter chose to connect his iPhone to the infotainment system. I was able to do so quickly and easily.
The layout of the cockpit exemplifies impeccable ergonomic design. Whether you're reaching for the gearshift, glancing at the digital display, or engaging the adaptive cruise control, all elements are intuitively placed and user-friendly. Having spent several weeks piloting luxury SUVs with controls akin to those found in spacecraft, it was exhilarating to operate such a straightforward yet exceptionally crafted vehicle.
Polgar notes that since Volkswagen is the world’s second-largest car manufacturer, producing both budget-friendly vehicles and high-end supercars, their more economical models often come equipped with features typically found in luxury sports cars.
"Reliable!" That’s how Rick Ferrara from Rick’s Auten Road characterized the vehicle. According to Ferrara, his clients who own the sleek Jetta GLI rarely visit his workshop, needing just the standard upkeep that all cars demand.
Currently, the suggested retail price for a new Jetta GLI is quite reasonable at $32,715.