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2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI First Test: Das Ist Gut

Compact sport sedan options for normal folks have been dwindling. Not so long ago, the market was flush with eager, angry little four-doors such as the Dodge Neon SRT-4, Chevy Cobalt SS, and Toyota Corolla XRS. Nowadays, plenty of swift small sedans are still on sale, but many have been priced out of feasibility for average middle-class car buyers. By our observation, only three reasonably priced hot four-doors are worth your time: the Honda Civic Si , Subaru Impreza WRX , and Hyundai Elantra Sport . Hey, Volkswagen , shall we make it four? The new seventh-generation Jetta impressed us when we drove it last summer , but we knew it was leaving room for improvement at the test track. Thats where the Jetta GLI comes in. Starting at $26,890, the GLI slots between the Jetta SEL and SEL Premium, but instead of extra luxury or convenience features, your dollars go toward performance. --> Great Little Ingine In place of the standard cars 147-hp 1.4-liter four-cylinder sits a 2.0-liter turbo-four straight out of the Volkswagen GTI hatchback . Unlike its slightly neutered predecessors , this GLIs engine makes the same 228 hp and 258 lb-ft as it does in the GTI. Both figures best those of the Civic and Elantra, and the torque number matches the more expensive Subaru . Front brakes are sourced from the hottest VW , the Golf R, and the regular Jettas torsion beam rear suspension is swapped out for a more sophisticated and better controlled multilink setup. It also sits 0.6 inch lower than the standard car, and the 35th Anniversary Edition gets adaptive damping. An electronically controlled front differential varies the torque split under hard cornering to help control understeer and improve turn-in. A quick-shifting automated dual-clutch transmission replaces the standard Jettas conventional automatic. This GLI has some very legitimate performance hardware, but that doesnt matter unless it results in legitimate performance benefits. With the help of all that go-fast hardware, the GLI completes the 060 sprint in just 6.1 secondsa second and a half quicker than the Jetta SE with its 1.4-liter engine. The result is also 0.1 second quicker than the more powerful all-wheel-drive WRX and half a second ahead of the Civic Si. The Hyundai is 0.8 second behind. Models equipped with the dual-clutch transmission like our tester have standard launch control, yet road test editor Chris Walton was still met with traction control and stability control intervention, even with both systems supposedly disabled. For the record, the GLI is also available with a six-speed manual, but the gearing is longer, and we havent loved VWs manual transmissions in the past. At least in the case of the GLI, dual-clutch is the move. In our figure-eight test, which gives us an idea of a cars acceleration, braking, and limit handling characteristics, the GLI recorded a very respectable 25.6 seconds at 0.72 g. For reference, thats a tenth faster than an E46 BMW M3 . The figure-eight number is also ahead of the Honda and Hyundai, but the WRXs traction and power advantages give it a slight edge. Walton observed largely neutral handling in the GLI with admirable levels of grip and a firm, consistent brake pedal. Our test cars optional summer tires surely contributed to the results. The allegedly disabled traction and stability control systems did continue to mar the figure-eight experience, cutting power midcorner and only delivering maximum torque once the wheels were pointed straight again. Gotta Love It Out on the road, the GLIs impressive grip and balanced handling translate to a car that feels stable and sure-footed carving its line through a corner. There were times when all this stabilitycombined with an engine we caught off-boost more often than wed liketook away from the Jettas fun factor. Its competent to a point where its almost boring, or so I thought. Turns out I wasnt pushing hard enough. A trip to the canyons north of Malibu revealed that when you start carrying real speed into a bend and taking advantage of the front differential shuffling torque between the front wheels, the GLI can dance through corners like a champ. It goes where its pointed, and when you get everything right, the drive can be very satisfying. That said, even with the shift programming in Sport, the dual-clutch occasionally had us in too high a gear, catching the engine off boost. No boost, no power. Fortunately, its a problem that can be solved with the well-placed, disappointingly buttonlike paddle shifters behind the steering wheelbut only if you can keep the turbo spinning yourself. (Its something I failed to do in more instances than Id care to admit.) Speaking of the steering wheel, the GLIs is a very good one. Its the same unit thats in the GTI instead of the particularly pedestrian-looking wheel in the base Jetta, and a thin rim and tiny airbag just work with the three-spoke, flat-bottom design. It feels great in the hand and reminds you that youre driving something special. The same cannot be said for the Civic Si or Subaru WRX , both of which use a gussied-up version of the standard cars tiller. Well note that our particular example audibly creaked every time we turned it more than a quarter rotation to the left. That shouldnt happen in any new car. German Living Icon Although the performance of a performance model is obviously important, the GLI would be pretty useless if it couldnt deliver on all the normal car stuff. And deliver it does. It was an excellent road trip companion for the three-hour drive out to Joshua Tree National Parktheres even enough ground clearance and ride compliance to handle the tamer unpaved roads. We didnt notice the active suspension, but the car rides well. The GLIs sizable trunk swallowed all of my camping gear without issue, and a tall seventh gear made for easy highway cruising. Adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist are notably unavailable, but we appreciate the included auto emergency braking (under 18 mph), blind-spot monitoring, and rear traffic alerts. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard, and the driver-focused touchscreen infotainment setup works well. This car also looks pretty great to my eyes. A $295 Pure Gray paint job was our testers sole option, and although Im usually a fan of more interesting huesespecially on an enthusiasts car like the GLIthis particular shade of gray really did it for me. Its like a budget version of the Nardo gray offered on Audi s extra-hot RS models, and that rules. A stripe of red running across the black honeycomb front grille pairs well with the red brake calipers and red trim ring around dark gray wheels, exclusive to the 35th Anniversary Edition. Unique front and rear bumpers, lower side skirts, and a trunklid spoiler round out the visual package, and the result is a handsome sedan with just enough flair to let you know this Jetta is not like the others. With this new GLI driving, looking, and performing as well as it does, its competition is not really a Civic, WRX, or Elantra. No, the strongest argument against the Jetta GLI actually sits in the same showroom. The Golf GTI will retain the same driving characteristics and high-quality interior with more practicality, its hatchback configuration providing increased cargo volume in a more versatile package, but the GLI has its advantages. It carries a $1,600 discount compared to its hatchback equivalent, and it rides on a wheelbase 2.0 inches longer, which not only contributes to greater stability and a better ride but also results in an extra 1.8 inches of rear leg room. Affordable compact sport sedans may be waning, but the Jetta GLI is a darn good one. 2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 35 BASE PRICE $27,890 PRICE AS TESTED $28,985 VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, FWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan ENGINE 2.0L/228-hp/258-lb-ft turbo DOHC 16-valve I-4 TRANSMISSION 7-speed twin-clutch auto CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 3,245 lb (60/40%) WHEELBASE 105.6 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 185.2 x 70.8 x 56.8 in 0-60 MPH 6.1 sec QUARTER MILE 14.6 sec @ 98.8 mph BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 109 ft LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.91 g (avg) MT FIGURE EIGHT 25.6 sec @ 0.72 g (avg) EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON 25/32/28 mpg ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY 135/105 kW-hrs/100 miles CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB 0.70 lb/mile The post 2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI First Test: Das Ist Gut appeared first on MotorTrend .

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/volkswagen/jetta/2019/2019-volkswagen-jetta-gli-first-test-review/

 

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