The GLI is almost everything we enjoy about the GTI in a Jetta-formed wrapper.


Emme Corridor/Roadshow

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is what happens when a hot hatch grows up. This sporty sedan has all the trappings of its rowdy GTI sibling, packaged in a handsome, experienced wrapper.

Table of Contents

Like

  • Superb handling
  • Strong turbo engine
  • Handsome layout, if a bit uninteresting

Don’t Like

  • Numb steering
  • Poor infotainment tech on the foundation trim

The GLI sets alone aside from the common Jetta with larger air intakes, a very low front spoiler and distinctive aspect skirts. The grille can take some styling cues from the GTI with its honeycomb sample and common crimson accent stripe. The GLI sits .6 inches lower to the floor than the common Jetta and has a distinctive rear bumper and diffuser, as effectively as twin chrome exhaust tips. But even with these sporty touches, the GLI still slides beneath the radar.

The Jetta GLI is run by a 2.-liter turbocharged I4 engine pushing out 228 horsepower and 258 pound-toes of torque — the same powertrain you are going to find in the GTI. The GLI will come with front-wheel push, and though you can get a seven-velocity twin-clutch computerized transmission, my tester has the 6-velocity handbook. Rating.


My Autobahn trim will come total with the DCC adaptive damping program, with modes for Typical, Activity and Eco, as effectively as a Custom environment. DCC makes it possible for me to dial in that Custom configuration, with unique solutions for the damping, steering, drivetrain, engine audio, front differential and even weather controls.

However, I never consider the Custom environment tends to make significantly of a change. Regardless of attempting out a bunch of various setups in the course of my 7 days with the automobile, the Typical and Activity modes function just high-quality. Considerably of my praise for the common Activity environment is thanks to the restricted-slip front differential that will work with the GLI’s electronic differential lock. Torque goes to the front wheel with the most grip, there is certainly minimal to no understeer and wheelspin is nonexistent.

The 2.-liter engine generates 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.


Emme Corridor/Roadshow

The foundation Jetta receives an old-school torsion-beam rear suspension, but the GLI updates that components to a multilink impartial set up. Blended with the GLI’s beefier roll bars and stiffer springs, this sedan is certainly all set to enjoy. It quickly settles just after pavement undulations, coming out of an off-camber convert with nary a hair out of area. The steering is fast, direct and weighty, although it could use a bit additional in the way of feedback. The thirteen.4-inch vented front brakes are lifted from the Golfing R hatchback, paired with 11.8-inch diameter brakes in the rear. These stoppers are solid, even though I desire the pedal’s engagement place was just a tad bigger.


The GLI is a blast on backroads, but it can be high-quality for every day commuting, way too. Typical on the GLI are state-of-the-art driver’s aids these types of as forward-collision warning, computerized crisis braking, blind-place checking and rear cross-targeted traffic alert. My major-amount Autobahn trim goes additional with lane-preserving support and adaptive cruise management. Sure, adaptive cruise management will work with a handbook transmission, even though only at bigger speeds. There is not any form of very low-velocity follow and as soon as the GLI thinks it will stall, the program disengages and the driver can take above.

The Jetta GLI’s gasoline economy is respectable, returning an EPA-approximated rating of 24 miles per gallon in the town, 33 mpg highway and 28 mpg merged. Even just after a 7 days of decidedly intense driving, I am still equipped to strike that 28-mpg ordinary.

The inside is mainly high-quality, but lacks visual flair.


Emme Corridor/Roadshow

Inside of, the GLI’s cabin tech is uncomplicated and clear-cut. The common infotainment set up works by using a little 6.5-inch screen, but the Autobahn bumps that up to a nicer 8.-inch display screen managing VW’s most up-to-date MIB3 technological know-how. This program can take care of several Bluetooth cellular phone pairings at as soon as, and I enjoy that the display screen is angled in the direction of the driver so it can be effortless to see and attain. MIB3’s menus are laid out thoughtfully so there is not a significant understanding curve, either. Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Vehicle are the two common, and in addition to a wi-fi charging pad, there are three USB-C ports and a 12-volt outlet to continue to keep your equipment juiced.

The Autobahn trim has Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a ten-inch customizable gauge cluster that presents the driver all kinds of data like motor vehicle data, driver-assistance feature standing and audio and cellular phone accessibility. It can also be custom-made with various styles, including a full-display screen navigation check out. It is not very as extravagant-pants as Audi’s Digital Cockpit, but it can be essentially the same strategy, and one of my most loved automobile inside attributes.

The GLI Autobahn receives an 8-inch touchscreen.


Emme Corridor/Roadshow

It is a bit of a bummer that the GLI is not available with any quirky inside layout touches like the GTI hatchback’s plaid seats. All you are going to find right here is black fabric or optional leather with contrasting crimson stitching. The Jetta at least has a ten-colour LED ambient lights program that coordinates with your picked driving mode: white for Typical, crimson for Activity and blue for Eco. If that doesn’t go well with your temper, you can opt for your very own shades, as effectively.

Like the common Jetta, the GLI’s inside supplies are very good but not excellent. Some of my colleagues lament the much less expensive plastics and way too-comfortable seats, in particular given that the GTI’s cabin feels additional premium by comparison. The sedan’s trunk is fairly spacious at 14.1 cubic toes, and my 5-foot, nine-inch body matches just high-quality in the rear seat — my knees never touch the front seatbacks and my head doesn’t brush the roof.

As far as competitors go, you can still snag a Honda Civic Si, or the all-wheel-push Mazda3 Turbo is a very good solution, although it can be additional costly. The new Hyundai Elantra N Line has a minimal much less electric power than the GLI, but it can be also available with a handbook transmission and has some critically interesting layout. The Subaru WRX is yet another choice, but it can be finding a minimal old, and the Jetta is a nicer all-around automobile.

The GLI undoubtedly flies beneath the radar.


Emme Corridor/Roadshow

The 2021 Jetta GLI starts at $27,340 including $995 for desired destination. The Autobahn is a $4,000 upcharge, and though I never consider the customizable DCC chassis tends to make a significant change, the cabin tech is considerably greater. All in, an Autobahn with the 6-velocity handbook like this take a look at automobile costs $32,335.

Of training course, the GLI’s major competitor is the GTI sitting down following to it in the VW showroom, and the Jetta undercuts its Golfing equal by a handful of thousand dollars though still delivering fundamentally the same on-road thrills. The GTI’s hatchback layout is a lot additional functional, but the GLI feels like an altogether additional developed-up package deal — although it can be still additional than prepared to get a minimal rowdy.