2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI First Drive

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TO THE POINT What’s New? The performance-oriented 2006 Volkswagen 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 over the standard Jetta 2.5.
Selling Points: Excellent drivetrain and sport-tuned suspension, and attractive, well laid-out interior, a roomier back seat and perfectly sculpted race car-style steering wheel.
Deal Breakers: The driving position may not suit everyone, and the ride may be too firm for some.
Our Advice: If you’re looking for an affordable sports sedan, the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI deserves your strong consideration.

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Click to enlarge. 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI

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.