2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 35th Anniversary Edition
Class: Compact Car
Miles driven: 128
Fuel used: 6.3 gallons
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | A- |
| Power and Performance | A- |
| Fit and Finish | A- |
| Fuel Economy | B- |
| Value | A- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | B |
| Tall Guy | B |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 228-hp 2.0L |
| Engine Type | Turbocharged 4-cylinder |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual |
| Drive Wheels | Front |
Real-world fuel economy: 20.3 mpg
Driving mix: 95% city, 5% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 25/32/28 (city/highway/combined)
Fuel type: Regular gas
Base price: $26,995 (not including $895 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: None
Price as tested: $27,890
Quick Hits
The great: Control layout, ride/handling combination, passenger space
The good: Power and acceleration, impressive value for the money
The not so good: Limited options available on 35th Anniversary Edition (though they do come very-well equipped)
More Jetta price and availability information
CG Says:
For those of us who remember when the first GLI hit the streets, it’s hard to image that memory is now 35 years old. But Volkswagen has made sure to remind us.
Originally, the GLI was pretty much a sedan version of the venerable GTI hatchback, and that was an entirely good thing … at least if you favored sedans. And the association remains today.
Test Drive: 2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI
We sampled a more “pedestrian” Jetta SEL Premium earlier, so we invite you to read that report for more details. Here we’ll focus on the elements that made our 35th anniversary tester just a bit more … special.
Test Drive: 2019 Volkswagen Jetta R-Line
First, this one comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine in place of the SEL’s 1.4-liter turbo. The power difference is about as large as one might expect: 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque for the 2.0, vs. 147/184 for the 1.4. Our tester also came with a 6-speed manual transmission in place of the SEL’s 8-speed automatic, with a 7-speed automated manual being optional on the 35th. Clutch and shifter action were terrific, and the engine pulled cleanly from just 1000 rpm in second gear, though it could sometimes be caught “off boost” (resulting in a brief delay in power delivery). In any event, the combination made it seem decidedly … sportier.
So did the suspension. Whereas “lesser” Jettas — like the SEL — get a less sophisticated (and less expensive) twist-beam rear axle, the GLI gets a fully independent multi-link arrangement. Whether that made a big difference in handling is hard to tell, as the 35th Anniversary Edition also gets active suspension damping in addition to the GLI’s XDS Cross Differential System (which distributes power to the outside front wheel in a turn for better handling) and 18-inch wheels vs. the SEL’s 17s. But in any case, the Anniversary Edition’s handling added to the sporty feel, while the ride was surprisingly supple.
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A few other bits were also unique. The 35th Anniversary Edition package adds a black roof, specific exterior and interior trim, red accent striping, and perhaps the most subtle decklid spoiler in all of autodom.
A few of the SEL’s interior details drew some criticism, and one in particular carries over here. It may seem like a small thing, but the lack of rear vents for back-seaters means they have to wait longer for whatever climate change is called for up front, and they don’t get any USB ports, either. But that’s about the end of any real complaints, as visibility is good, the control layout is among the easiest out there to use, and there’s a decent amount of cabin storage space. There’s also good space for passengers, at least within the confines of the car’s overall size.
And one other thing.
Most test cars that arrive in our lot are loaded with options — German makes in particular — that add substantially to their bottom line. Not this German. For while the starting price of the 35th Anniversary Edition is a very reasonable $26,995, that was also the stopping point (save for destination). Some might want to add the 7-speed automated manual transmission (which behaves much like a conventional automatic), but nothing about this essentially mid-level car made it feel as though it was missing anything, though some of us bemoaned the lack of satellite radio.
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Any time a model celebrates a 35th anniversary, it probably has something going for it. In the case of this GLI-based 35th Anniversary Edition model, it has a lot going for it. And it can thank its GTI sibling for much of that.
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2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 35th Anniversary Edition
