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Sometimes when it comes to cars, you either lean towards sedans or hatchbacks. Well, you want to have a Teutonic something on wheels anyway, and the Volkswagen brand just appeals to you all thanks to its youthfulness, and the fact that they were brilliant enough to come up with that potent 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and 6-speed DSG gearbox.
Although a Volkswagen Golf GTI sounds interesting, it's something you know the missus won't approve of, after all that family-planning discussion the both of you been having...well, obviously hatchbacks won't make the cut. So you think the likes of the C-Class and 3 Series should do the trick...But then again, there are quite a number of them already occupying the office parking lot. And you still want to have that bit of motoring fun once in a while.
Enter the Volkswagen Jetta GLI - a.k.a the Golf GTI with a boot.
Although a Volkswagen Golf GTI sounds interesting, it's something you know the missus won't approve of, after all that family-planning discussion the both of you been having...well, obviously hatchbacks won't make the cut. So you think the likes of the C-Class and 3 Series should do the trick...But then again, there are quite a number of them already occupying the office parking lot. And you still want to have that bit of motoring fun once in a while.
Enter the Volkswagen Jetta GLI - a.k.a the Golf GTI with a boot.
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Aesthetics
Visually, everything Golf GTI-ish can be seen on the Jetta GLI - that 17-inch telephone dial alloys, honeycombed grill, subtle bodykits, red brake callipers and twin exhaust tip.
It remains proportionately correct in every single exterior detail - we all have seen and heard gory story of hatches slapped on with boots, but Volkswagen got it just right with the Jetta. Especially this GLI variant - mostly thanks to that synonymously GTI 17-inch arch-filling alloys, and how nicely it's kitted up.
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Come to think of it, the GLI could do with a spoiler on that boot - you know, something that's unique only for the GLI. Maybe something like the ones on BMW's M3, and just not the sort of monstrosity that lurks at the back of an Evo.
It remains a great place to be in, although by now, the whole interior is something everyone has come to be so familiar with. When it comes to gluing bits of moulded plastic to other bits of plastic, Volkswagen is really doing it well these days - everything fits snugly and looks purposeful. Heck, it even smells good. There are also the same sport seats as the GTI, but sorry, there's no "GLI" emblazoned on it.
It remains a great place to be in, although by now, the whole interior is something everyone has come to be so familiar with. When it comes to gluing bits of moulded plastic to other bits of plastic, Volkswagen is really doing it well these days - everything fits snugly and looks purposeful. Heck, it even smells good. There are also the same sport seats as the GTI, but sorry, there's no "GLI" emblazoned on it.
Driving it
You might yearn for a car that immediately combines the plushness of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class with the agility of an F1 car, but the truth is that the GLI takes time to reveal its strength. The investigation, in this case, involved a selection of cross-Singapore trips on the expressway and some twisty roads.
The GLI is a relatively restful companion to cover a proper distance with. Its ride quality most effectively smothers uneven roads at, surprisingly, high speeds rather than low speeds. From corner to corner it calmly flows, turning in crisply and resisting both body lurch and any early inclination to lose its front end.
The bane of having a boot does show itself with the GLI, despite the fact that it has exactly the same suspension setting as the Golf GTI. It has the tendency to be tail-happy when corners are taken hard and fast - fun once in a while, but costly for the tyres in the long run. And we highly recommend you leave the ESP on too. On another note, the steering is ideally weighted, and you won't be able to forgive the simple fact that it definitely gives the BMW 3 Series' a good run for their money.
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It feels like bullet coming out of a machine gun when you floor the accelerator off the traffic light. A clear road, quick changes through the 6-speed DSG and rumours of any turbo lag appears exaggerated. It's there, yes - but just a little bit. You'll only feel it around Orchard Road or the CBD, while pulling out of junctions. Out on the roads, this thing will just knife its way through the air with a sort of ferocity, while other pricier sedans struggle to keep up with it.
Brakes work marvellously at slowing down the GLI. And since we're at the topic of brakes, you just can't help but notice how the GLI doesn't nose-dive rudely when u stomp hard on the brakes. Even before the ABS kicks in, it's impressive how the brake pedal relays so much information to the driver when push comes to shove.
Brakes work marvellously at slowing down the GLI. And since we're at the topic of brakes, you just can't help but notice how the GLI doesn't nose-dive rudely when u stomp hard on the brakes. Even before the ABS kicks in, it's impressive how the brake pedal relays so much information to the driver when push comes to shove.
Sum Up
It remains good-looking, has an awesome engine, marvellous gearbox and nicely-balanced ride and handling. This is one car that won't look out place anywhere it goes, and at the same time make others envious. It has power and ability in abundance, and at the same time, can be viewed as one of the most practical car to be offered this kind of pace.
Undoubtedly, it undercuts the C-Class, 3-Series and A4 1.8T in terms of pricing. And then to make the deal even sweeter, overpowers all three in terms of performance. Not only that - its interior quality is almost on par too.
Keep this car on your radar when you're out window-shopping for a car. It has lots going on for it, and it undeniably is a sensible buy.
Come on, go convince the missus why you should get one.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Engine: 1,984cc, 4-cylinders in-line, turbocharged
Power: 200bhp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 280Nm @ 1,800rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic DSG
0-100 km/h: 7.3 seconds
Length / Width / Height: 4,554 / 1,459 / 1,781 mm
Wheelbase: 2,578 mm
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