Test drive: 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI

Volkswagen raises the stakes

Remember when a Volkswagen was an economy car? Those days are gone with the drive-in movie theater, my friend. The 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is one high tech vehicle, and a really beautiful one at that. For a list price of $23,790 ($29,230 as tested), you get a turbocharged engine, ABS, anti-slip regulation, air conditioning, cruise control, a 4 year/50,000 mile basic warranty and a 5 year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty. Economy has given way to performance and luxury in the 2006 VW Jetta GLI.

First Glance

I'm a VW guy from way back. My family has owned at least seven (I might be forgetting a few) VWs over the years – a '59 Beetle, a '64 Bus, a '74 Sun Bug, a '74 Thing, an '80 Rabbit, an '82 Quantum and an '82 Rabbit Convertible, and I put myself through college selling new and used VWs at a dealership in LA. The new GLI shares some styling cues from the Guigario-designed Jetta of the '80s, but it's a much more elegant vehicle now.

The 2005 Jetta redesign made it the biggest Jetta ever, and the GLI is the beneficiary (or victim, depending on your point of view) of that upgrade. Still classified as a compact car, the Jetta is inching toward mid-size in every dimension, and looks the part. Several exterior features distinguish the GLI from all other Jettas: A black honeycomb grille surrounded by a red strip; chrome "GLI" badge on the right rear; blue-tinted windows; and a more aggressive, lower stance from its sport suspension. My tester featured optional ($750) 18" 5-spoke alloy wheels in a stylish pattern.

The Jetta's got great-looking paint, the gaps and seams are even, and the overall feel is solid. The sleekness and spare ornamentation are decidedly European – almost German, even though the GLI is built in Puebla, Mexico.

In the Driver's Seat

The sense of size and luxury continues in the Jetta's cabin. My GLI had a $3200 option package that included heated leather sport seats, a power sunroof and satellite radio, all adding to the luxury. The seats are great, with a power lumbar support adjustment that really helped dial in the comfort. The steering wheel telescopes and tilts and features audio and information center controls to help you keep your hands on the wheel.

I like the look of the dash with its large, clear rotary knobs for audio and climate controls. The gauge package is also suitably clean and clear. A small LCD screen at the center of the gauge cluster gives information about time, temperature, direction of travel and can be toggled via the steering wheel controls to display miles per gallon, miles to empty, average speed and other info. Miles to empty is always the most useful display for me – every car should have this feature.

Overhead, the Jetta's sunroof has the clearest, easiest controls I've encountered on any car. Instead of depressing a toggle switch, you turn a rotary knob to the desired setting (open, partially open, vent, etc.) and the sunroof slides smoothly into position unattended. A great design – one of many nice details in the GLI.

On the Road

I'm tall (6'2"), and found the Jetta's door opening a challenge. With the driver's seat in position, the pillar between the front and back doors (b-pillar) blocked my way, so getting in and out was tricky. Once in, there was plenty of room for my legs and head. But the b-pillar created a big blind spot directly to my side. Not good. Your fit may vary; be sure and try the Jetta on for size.

The GLI's 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine is turbocharged to deliver 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels. The way that the GLI is suspended and balanced, the power feels great. The GLI is a blast to drive. Power delivery is smooth and immediate, with little detectable turbo lag (a delay in getting full power, an issue with many turbo cars). My GLI was equipped with an $875 optional 6-speed automatic transmission. Mostly I just clunked it into D and Drove, but for a little more fun and higher revs at the shift points I selected S for Sport mode. To take control over the show, I used the "tiptronic" mode for manual shifting, either with the console-mounted shifter or paddles mounted on the steering wheel. Different modes were better for different roads and driving conditions. The paddle shifters are the most fun for spirited driving.

Journey's End

The VW Jetta GLI is up against some very stiff competition in the compact sport sedan world. As its price inches closer to the BMW 3-series, I have to judge it by higher standards. The BMW 3 is still a step up in terms of driving experience with its front engine/rear drive setup, but the GLI is close in amenities and quality.

Japanese manufacturers have some impressive offerings: Acura's TL, Lexus' IS and Subaru's Legacy GT all deliver great driving experiences wrapped in impressive luxury, all at prices that are close to a comparably equipped GLI. I love the Subaru a little more than the rest with its zippy turbo and all-wheel-drive grip, but GLI is maybe the best-looking of the bunch. Check out the Swedes and drive the Volvo S40 and Subaru cousin Saab 9-3.

You've got to take a quick drive in the Dodge Charger and the Pontiac GTO as well. You won't get close to the GLI's 25 mpg city/31 highway in the American sport sedans, but you can have a completely different kind of fun driving experience.

Choices, choices, choices! I'm glad to see VW rebounding from a not-so-good period of its history. The 2006 Jetta GLI is evidence that the big brains in Wolfsburg are still on the job, even if their ideas are executed in Puebla.