2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI review

2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI review,The Jetta GLI surprisingly forgoes the GTI’s front fascia with its trademark red styling. Instead, the front of the GLI is defined by two prominent horizontal lines across the top and bottom of the grille, which combined with the trapezoidal headlights help create a distinct look. Out back, the GLI has a special rear diffuser and a small lip spoiler, as well as smoked taillights.

The cabin of the GLI features sport bucket seats with red stitching and a sport flat-bottom steering wheel with red stitching, the GLI logo and aluminum accents. The overall interior styling consistently follows the sporty exterior lines of the car and includes a soft-touch dashboard and other premium interior trimming that were stripped out of lesser Jetta models for cost reasons.

The GLI is available in cloth or V-Tex Leatherette and also features alloy pedals, shifter, dash and door trim. To increase versatility, the rear bench seatback is split 60/40 and folds.

While lesser Jettas make do with a simple twist-beam rear axle for the latest generation (previously, all Jettas had a fully independent suspension), the GLI benefits a four-link independent rear suspension with an upgraded anti-roll bar. This setup helps the GLI hug the corners like a GTI with a trunk and avoid the somewhat imprecise handling of normal Jettas.

The GLI also accelerates like a GTI thanks to a powertrain taken directly fromVolkswagen ’s sporty hatchback. Underhood is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder rated at 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft. of torque that mates to either a satisfying six-speed manual or a six-speed DSG twin-clutch automatic transmission. The DSG comes with steering wheel-mounted paddles for sequential-style shifting and rev-matched downshifts.

Equipped with the DSG, the GLI is rated at 24 mpg in the city and 33 on the highway, while opting for the row-your-own option will mean trading one city mpg for an extra one on the open freeway.

2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI review