Attention prospective sedan buyers, both of you: You now have a new and excellent choice in Volkwagen’s 2019 Jetta GLI.
Introduced at the Chicago auto show in February, the 6th-gen GLI is back to being a GTI with a trunk, the way the GLI was conceived 35 years ago. The two cars share the mighty 2.0-liter, 228-hp, 258-lb-ft turbo four, standard six-speed manual and optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (with start/stop). Among the engine’s tricks is variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust sides, as well as variable exhaust valve lift, making for more efficient and precise combustion.
Like the base Jetta and GTI, the GLI now rides on VW’s excellent MQB platform, sitting about a half-inch lower, with McPherson struts in front and a new multilink arrangement out back. The stout brakes are shared with the GTI and Golf R, and the GTI’s front limited slip differential and variable-ratio electric steering are standard. The 35th anniversary model comes standard with VW’s adaptive damper setup with normal, sport, eco and custom modes. Predictably, normal is a balanced setting, sport offers quicker throttle and shift response, eco improves fuel economy and custom allows the driver to tailor the steering, throttle, front differential and engine note.
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