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

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
  • 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

      2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn: red GLI fender and tail badging w/ new trunk lid gloss black 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

      2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn: red accents on black leather seating
    • GLI exclusive leather wrapped, thick rim, extra grip D-shape sport steering wheel, with haptics controls

      2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn: new thick leather rimmed sport steering wheel w/ haptic slide control
  • 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, AppleCar Play 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, AppleCar Play and MirrorLink phone projection standard, USB-C x 2

      2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn: no native navigation but Android Auto & Apple Car play projection is now wireless
  • 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 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.

SEE ROADBLAZING.COM’s COMPLETE BOTTOM LINE REVIEW AND PHOTO GALLERY OF THE 2019 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLI  AUTOBAHN BELOW

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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)

Optional Drivetrain: 7-speed automated dual-clutch helical transaxle (DQ380)

WHAT (A) DIFFERENCE(S):

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.

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING ROADBLAZING.COM 2019 VW JETTA GLI BOTTOM LINE REVIEW

An automotive enthusiast since an orange toy VW Beetle ended up in his playpen and following him everywhere, George Straton has been chief editor at ChicagoNow.com/Drive-He-Said automotive lifestyle blog since 2010. In 2017 George established Roadblazing.com, dedicated to accurate and relevant automotive reviews, news and road trip stories. George is a member of the Midwest Automotive Media Association and the Phoenix Automotive Press Association. George also happens to be an attorney and Loyola University of Chicago Ramblers fan.

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