2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI First Drive

SANTA FE, NM – Winding along undulating back roads under a brilliantly blue New Mexico sky, we can’t help thinking that that Shakespeare guy hit the nail on the head when he penned the immortal phrase “What’s in a name?” While old Bill used roses as an example, he might as well have been describing the all-new 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI. That’s because VW’s marketing types are intent on changing this sporty top-of-the-line Jetta model’s name, referring to it simply as the “2006 Volkswagen GLI” in order to make us think of this affordable sports sedan as a stand-alone model similar to their Golf-based GTI sports coupe. Ultimately, we can’t help but think that this decision to drop the J-word is largely immaterial. Because, no matter what name they choose to use, this compact four-door is one sweet little set of wheels.

Model Mix

Model Mix The 2006 Jetta GLI gets a powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a choice between two excellent transmissions, beefed-up suspension bits, 17-inch wheels, xenon headlights, and several important interior tweaks. While the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta is a fifth-generation model, this is only the fourth incarnation of the sporty GLI. Like the rest of the Jetta line-up, it’s grown an inch in height and width and six inches in length, and rides on a wheelbase that’s been stretched by two inches. Most of the additional three cubic feet of interior room created by this growth spurt went to the back seat, making this the most four passenger-friendly Jetta yet. As the performance-oriented model of the Jetta line-up, the new GLI jettisons the previous generation’s V6 in favor of a powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Two excellent transmissions, beefed-up suspension bits, 17-inch wheels, xenon headlights, and several important interior tweaks round out the upgrades. The result is a total package that transforms what might in its other variations might be considered a very nice “economy” sedan into an engaging vehicle that can put a smile on the face of anyone for whom driving a car is a pursuit to be actively enjoyed rather than passively tolerated.

Nuts and Bolts

Nuts and Bolts With 50 more horsepower, an available sequential manual transmission, and optional 18-inch alloy wheels, the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI has the goods to back up its sports sedan mission. At the heart of the new 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is a slightly larger version of the automaker’s familiar 1.8T engine. This new 2.0-liter turbocharged motor puts out 200 horsepower at the top end of its rev range and a healthy 207 lb.-ft. of torque across a broad range of engine speeds between 1,800 and 4,700 rpm. Transferring all that power to the front wheels are two first-rate transmissions. A six-speed manual gearbox comes standard, with the carmaker’s Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) automatic transmission – which gives the driver the option of exceptionally quick manual gear changes via steering wheel-mounted paddles – offered as an option. Suspension upgrades include larger diameter sway bars and stiffer spring rates. To handle all this added performance potential, the GLI is fitted with larger disc brakes at all four corners. The standard 17-inch alloy wheels are shod with high-performance summer tires, while all-season tires are offered as a no-cost option. Sharp-looking 18-inch alloy rims, seen in these photos, will run you an additional $750. Steering is an electro-mechanical affair with speed-sensitive power assist that provides a relatively light effort in low-speed parking lot maneuvers and a weightier feel in spirited driving.

Design

Design Inside and out, the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta is appropriately sporty, but we never did get comfortable behind the steering wheel. While the new Jetta’s rounded lines are a logical evolution of past Jetta generations, its conservative styling can best be described as jauntily generic. Which ultimately may be a good thing for all those car buyers who’d like to stand out from the crowd even as they’re busy blending in. In fact, you have to look closely to discover the small but significant design details that set the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI apart from its more sedate siblings. Besides the complete lack of a Jetta badge, the car’s aggressive stance, larger wheels, black front air dam and side sills, blacked-out honeycomb mesh-style grille with a red trim, front fog lights, and blue-tinted glass all help make the GLI visually distinct without resorting to the kind of boy-racer styling cues that tend to attract unwanted attention from the local police. Inside, the changes are equally subtle. The Jetta’s roomy interior is dressed up with a handful of distinctive upgrades, including genuine brushed aluminum accents and special heritage cloth upholstery. Leather-covered sport seats are optional. Add the excellent tactile quality of the interior materials – something VW seems to do better than just about anybody in the business – and you have an upscale interior that looks like it was lifted straight out of a more expensive automobile. Oddly enough, as much as we like the GLI’s cabin, it’s also the place we found our biggest faults with the car. We discovered the hard way (as did several of our colleagues) to watch our legs when getting into and out of the GLI after whacking a right knee on a low-hanging protrusion underneath the steering column. Our other criticism has to do with the ergonomics of the driver’s seat. No matter how we adjusted the tilt/telescopic steering column, we found the angle of the steering wheel a bit odd. Add the fact that the manually-adjustable seats don’t allow you to adjust the tilt angle of the seat’s bottom cushion, and it’s no surprise that we couldn’t find a truly comfortable driving position. Finally, we would be remiss if we didn’t include a few words about the GLI’s rear seat. Where the previous generation Jetta was noticeably tight in back, this new version has a decent amount of head and legroom even for six-foot tall adults. That makes us believe that the GLI makes an excellent compromise for buyers who might prefer to drive a sporty compact coupe but need a viable back seat to schlep a couple of kids or shuttle important business clients.

Safety and Technology

Safety and Technology With plenty of safety technology on board, the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI gets a “Best Pick” safety rating from the IIHS. Speaking of schlepping and shuttling, we’re pleased to report that you can go about your taxi duties with added peace-of-mind thanks to the fact that Volkswagen product planners decided not to scrimp on safety features in the 2006 Jetta GLI. For starters, they’ve made electronic stability control a standard feature. The computer-controlled system uses a host of sensors to detect an impending skid and then intervenes automatically to bring things back under control with a minimum of fuss. Inside you’ll find standard torso-protecting side-impact airbags for the driver and front-seat passenger, and side-curtain airbags designed to protect the heads of both front and rear seat occupants. Whiplash-reducing “active” head restraints atop the front seats, LATCH child seat anchors in back, and available rear seat side-impact airbags – a rare but, in our opinion, extremely worthwhile option – round out the long list of occupant protection technologies. How much of a real-world difference might all these bells-and-whistles make? In two important measures – the tough offset frontal- and side-impact crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety – the Jetta GLI received a rare perfect score and has earned the organization’s coveted “Best Pick” designation.

Driving Impressions

Driving Impressions Watch your speed, because the capable 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI will get you tickets without even trying. While the range of upgrades that make up the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI work as a total package, it’s the engine and drivetrain that will warm the hearts of driving enthusiasts everywhere. With just 37 more pounds to move than the base model, the engine’s 50 additional horsepower give the GLI a substantial performance boost. Complimenting this excellent engine are two equally worthy transmissions. While we prefer the six-speed manual gearbox for its smooth, precise shifts and inherently greater driver involvement, the $875 DSG automatic option would be an easy-to-live-with compromise if we had to regularly contend with long rush-hour commutes in stop-and-go traffic. On the road, the combination of the engine’s broad torque band and the overall refinement of the car itself make the GLI one of those vehicles where it’s easy to lose any sense of your actual speed. Several times during our day-long drive we looked down at the speedo and were surprised to discover we were doing 20-plus miles-per-hour over the posted speed limit. If we had to point the finger of blame for those transgressions, we’d aim it squarely in the direction of the GLI’s highly refined suspension. While the handling-oriented suspension tweaks give the car a noticeably firmer ride than that of the mainstream Jetta models, the ride quality is still civilized enough that we think most driving enthusiasts would consider it a fair trade-off and very livable in day-to-day motoring. And, speaking of handling, we can attest that the sport-tuned suspension shines equally bright on a curvy stretch of asphalt. Body lean is minimal through corners and, when combined with precise steering feel and gobs of grip from the wide performance tires, the set-up delivers a level of confidence that encourages you to continually push the car just a little harder around each subsequent turn. Of course, all the power and handling in the world wouldn’t amount to much if it weren’t backed up by a strong set of brakes. Volkswagen’s engineers have come through with larger four-wheel antilock discs that provide above-average stopping power, though some drivers may wish for a little firmer pedal feel. Taken together, all of these strong points make this sporting member of the Jetta family a sweet little sedan – no matter what you choose to call it.

FAQ

FAQ If you love to drive, the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is worth the extra cost, making it a more refined alternative to rally-ready racers like the Subaru WRX while remaining capable of carrying four adults in comfort. Is the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI worth the extra money? There’s no doubt that the $3,500 jump between the Jetta 2.5 and the GLI is a sizeable chunk of change. If you’re the sort for whom a car is simply a way to get between Points A and B, we’d encourage you to bank the difference. But if you’re someone who loves to drive, the answer is an emphatic YES! How does the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI compare to other compact sports sedans like the Subaru WRX? The WRX and GLI have little in common beyond their sport-sedan intentions and their three-letter monikers. Essentially, it comes down to a decision between raw performance and refinement. And we think most normal folks would be happier on the GLI’s highly refined side of that trade-off. Is the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI really big enough to put kids and adults in the back seat? That’s an obvious question for anyone who’s ever squeezed into the back seat of previous-generation Jettas. The truth of the matter is that, while the additional inches added to the back seat may not sound like much, they make it entirely capable of carrying a couple of kids or even six-foot-tall grown-ups.

Specifications

Specifications The 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI’s key competitors are the Acura TSX, BMW 325i, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Lexus IS 250, Lincoln Zephyr, Mazda 6, MazdaSpeed 6, Mercury Milan, Nissan Altima, Pontiac G6, Saab 9-3, Subaru Legacy GT, Toyota Camry, and Volvo S40. Test Vehicle: 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Price Range: $24,405 (including a $615 destination charge) Engine Size and Type: 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder with intercooler Engine Horsepower: 200 hp between 5,500 and 6,000 rpm Engine Torque: 207 lb.-ft. between 1,800 and 4,700 rpm Transmission: Six-speed manual; Six-speed DSG automatic with manual shift feature Curb Weight, lbs.: 3,308 Manual; 3,352 Automatic EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway): 24/32 Manual; 25/31 Automatic Observed Fuel Economy: 25.7 Length: 179.3 inches Width: 70.1 inches Wheelbase: 101.5 inches Height: 57.4 inches Legroom (front/rear): 41.2/35.4 inches Headroom (front/rear): 38.5/37.2 inches Max. Seating Capacity: 5 Max. Cargo Volume: 16 cu. ft. Competitors: Acura TSX, Audi A4, BMW 325i, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Jaguar X-Type, Lexus IS 250, Lincoln Zephyr, Mazda 6, MazdaSpeed 6, Mercury Milan, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Nissan Altima, Pontiac G6, Saab 9-3, Subaru WRX, Subaru Legacy GT, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Passat, Volvo S40

Photos courtesy of Volkswagen of America