2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn: worthy Q sedan option for vigorously attacking asphalt ribbon with mature aplomb.
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
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
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 armest
Apogee of cabin finish austerity
Exposed door frames
Low lustre 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
2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn: drive modes including customization
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
2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn: variable cabin illumination begets pink
Roadblazing.com Says: Now with enhanced distinctiveness, still the compact Q performance sedan bomb for vigorously attacking asphalt ribbon with aplomb.
2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn: worthy Q sedan option for vigorously attacking asphalt ribbon with mature aplomb.
2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn: updated with farfalle lower air dam w/ red corner fangs
2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn: at north suburban Chicago's Lake Forest College
2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn: red GLI fender and tail badging w/ new trunk lid gloss black spoiler
2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn: upgraded 228 hp, 2.0L TSI powerplant + smoother take-up 7-speed DSG dual clutch automated manual transaxle + wet clutch front limited slip = sub 6 sec. 0-60, 31 combined mpg
2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn: new standard mud & snow rated all season Hankook Kinergy rubber
2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn: entry w/ red splashed gloss black door and dashboard accent panels
2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn: no native navigation but Android Auto & Apple Car play projection is now wireless
2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn: configurable digital gauge cluster and infotainment instrumentation
2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn: drive modes including customization
2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn: new thick leather rimmed sport steering wheel w/ haptic slide control
2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn: red accents on black leather seating
2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn: Expansive trunk cargo hold with 60/40% split folding rear seat back extension
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WHAT:2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn Mk.7 BD (VW Group A7 platform) compact family sedan. The new VW Jetta GLI is finally hatched from the Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) platform, four years after it’s Hot Hatch relative, the Volkswagen Golf GTI.
Standard Power: transverse 2.0 L turbocharged DOHC 16V DI gas I-4 = 228 hp/ 258 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm + 6-speed manual helical transaxle, 3 [throttle, shift] Drive Modes = Eco, Normal, Sport (customizable)
Roadblazing.com recently assessed the new Jetta Mk. 7 as possessing the larger Passat‘s maturity and compacy Golf hatchback’s trapezoids found in wrap-around light housings, fuel filler doors. BOLDNESS = prominent hood and fender creases.
Jetta GLI sedans mimick their Golf GTI hatchback brethren with telltale insignia splashed on grille, trunk lid and fenders. Also guaranteed a spot on any GLI: red horizontal grille bar, dark lattice grille and lower air dam, piano black in place of chrome accents, straked darkened front corner inlets, body colored side skirts, dual chrome exhaust tailpipes and a lower rear diffuser.
Jetta‘s acute raked backlight, now leading to a more prominent GLI near duck-tail integrated trunk-lid spoiler formed from side belt-line creasing border on fastback. It’s just one interconnected ring away from being an Audi S3 ringer.
WHY: People’s Teutonic Hot Compact Sedan is Affordable Wolf in Dapper New Sheep’s Clothing.