2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn - Re-Driven - Q- Sedan Re- Decorated

FOURTH YEAR FARFALLE A LA ROSSO:  The MQB Mk. 7 Volkswagen Jetta GLI has already earned the Roadblazing.com designation of "the People's Teutonic Hot Compact Sedan [that] is [a] Autobahn Wolf in Sheep's Clothing." The 2022 VW GLI boasts greater visual distinction other Jettas, it continues in the role of more stately and better value alternative to a more refined new Mk.8 Golf GTI. Though the other notable nick of artificial exhaust music persists, this hot compact sport sedan still deserves serious consideration for drawing less attention vigorously attacking asphalt ribbons with mature aplomb.

2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn Driving Hits:

• EA 888 Mk.2 2.0T 16V DOHC I-4 gas engine
• 228 horsepower delivered with 87 octane unleaded fuel
• 7-speed DSG dual clutch automated helical gearbox paradigm of snappy smooth (standard 6-speed manual)
• XDS limited slip front differential
• Soundaktor sport engine sound enhancement at wide open throttle
• 33 combined miles per gallon in a genuine hot sedan
• 435 miles fuel tank range
• MQB platform permits tauter body control
• The only way to have an independent rear suspension on a Mk. 7 Jetta
• DCC variable damping ranges from autocross taut to forgiving comfort
• NEW FOR '22 Hankook Kinergy  H-speed rated all-season, mud & snow tires
• Meaty steering resistance in Sport mode
• Front brake rotors from Golf R, vented rear rotors in addition to fronts
• Cabin impressively immune to road & drivetrain noise

2022 VW Jetta GLI Autobahn Driving Misses:

• Barest steering road feel
• Less dry surface grip w/ loss of summer tires
• Hard braking dive
• Soundaktor low speed audio engine sound enhancement brittle and fake

What It Has Got:

• Pricing: from $27,165 (incl. destination) for a 6-speed manual 2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 
  • $119 / horsepower
  • The tested uber trim 2022 VW Jetta GLI Autobahn DCT, w 7-speed automated dual clutch transaxle, tops out at $33,665, including √ leather seats, √ oversized power moonroof, √ contrasting black roof, √ black wheels & √ premium Beats audio
• Expressive wide hood valleys, dark lattice wide grille, gloss black mirror caps & window frame; elliptical polished stainless steel dual exhaust cutouts
• Expanded body coloring and racy red grille stripe and GLI fender emblems
• NEW FOR '22 Outside: √ Contrast red outlined farfalle pasta shaped lower air dam
  • √ Gloss black trunk lid spoiler

• Accommodates 5 adults & 14 cubic feet of their trunk junk
• NEW FOR '22 Inside: √ Red etching on gloss black dashboard and front door style panels
  • √ Red tinted black leather seating

• √ GLI exclusive leather wrapped, thick rim, extra grip D-shape sport steering wheel, with haptics controls

• Above par standard feature set
  • Power windows, 4 x auto up/ down, power locks, tilt & telescoping steering wheel, air conditioning, rear window defogger, heated side mirrors, auto dimming rear view mirrors, illuminated dual vanity sunvisors, overhead retracting sunglasses bin, 2nd Row reading lights
  • 6 speaker, 160W streaming audio, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink phone projection, Bluetooth, USB-C x 2
• NEW FOR '22 Infotainment: MIB 3.0 media display 8.0" inch embedded LCD media display with voice commands, gesture controls
  • wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink phone projection standard, USB-C x 2

• Acceptably good Safety Features & Ratings
  • 6 SRS airbags, IIHS Good marks across the board
  • Rear camera, IQ.Drive Blind Spot monitor, auto LED & high beam headlamps, Collision avoidance pre-braking, post collision brake lock, S.O.S. alert
  • IQ.Drive Travel Assist advanced driver assist technology (Standard on GLI)
    • Adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, forward collision avoidance braking w/ pedestrian detection, blind spot & rear cross traffic warning, rain sensing windshield wipers
  • 4 year / 50,000 miles bumper to bumper warranty includes 2 years maintenance
  • Car-Net subscription telematics services

What It Has Not (or Not Preferred):

• No native navigation
• Seat cushions too firm
• Seat cushions too short
• Fixed rear seat headrests
• No sliding front center armrest
• Apogee of cabin finish austerity
  • Exposed door frames
  • Low luster plastic cabin panels
  • Lacks VW Golf's felt lined door pockets and harmonious panel fit
• Infotainment settings & instrument panel illumination locked out when in motion

Standout Cool 2022 VW JETTA GLI Autobahn Feature(s):

• Digital Cockpit configurable LCD instrument cluster
• Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) variable damping suspension

• Climatronic 2-zone climate control
• Leather seats, heated & cooled front, power driver's adjust w/ 3 position memory
• Oversized power moonroof
• 9 speaker, 400W Beats audio
• Qi inductive wireless phone charger
• Customizable variable night cabin accent illumination

Roadblazing.com Says: Now with enhanced distinctiveness, still the compact Q performance sedan bomb for vigorously attacking asphalt ribbon with aplomb.

2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI - Bottom Line Review

JET STREAM, February 2019: North American meteorologists scurried to plot the Polar Jet Stream, east to west flowing winds at altitudes between 30,000 and 40,000 feet, just below the Northern Hemisphere tropopause, as it rained brutal icy conditions down from the North Pole. JETTA STREAM, February 2019: Volkswagen

RoadBlazingGeorge Straton