The long-anticipated 2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI has officially made it to dealers like our partner in the Los Angeles suburb of Ontario, CA - Ontario Volkswagen. The GLI is the enthusiasts, sporty model, of the Jetta. Volkswagen updated its standard line of Jetta鈥檚 in the previous year. So, with these 2019 models, Volkswagen marks the 7th generation of GLIs and Jettas. My friends at Ontario VW gave me a Jetta GLI for a day recently. Here鈥檚 my complete report after running around Southern California鈥檚 Inland Empire and getting a feel for the all-new 2019 VW Jetta GLI! The Volkswagen Jetta GLI has historically been compared to its VW hatchback (hot hatch in VW-lingo) sibling the Golf GTI. Well, they鈥檙e both Volkswagens and both the sporty/enthusiasts trims of their respective models. Personally, I like both for different reasons. I鈥檒l contrast the two vehicles, only once, in a moment. With the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI being in its 7th generation that equates to 35-years here in the United States.
And those 35-years are honored in one of the trim options for the 2019 VW Jetta GLI. And, it just so happens that, my test-driver was a 35th Anniversary Edition GLI. So here鈥檚 the cool comparison I鈥檓 going to give the 2019 VW Jetta GLI 35th Anniversary Edition and the 2019 Golf GTI Rabbit Edition. Volkswagen鈥檚 stylish, yet in-the-know and subtle seat tags. Okay, one other comparison, with the GTI and the GLI both being the sporty trims, is the very cool red line across the grills of both vehicles. It鈥檚 in all sorts of pics. BTW, wondering what GTI and GLI stand for? Those are acronyms for Grand Touring Injection and Grand Luxury Injection. So to put the comparisons of the Jetta GLI and the Golf GTI to rest, at least for this post, the Golf is going to be sportier and a hatchback. Whereas the Jetta GLI is a sedan and slightly less aggressive.
The 鈥?9 VW Jetta GLI is offered in three different trims. As always, don鈥檛 worry about the MSRP - manufacturer鈥檚 suggested retail price - for two reasons. First, you need to get your 鈥?9 VW Jetta GLI equipped to your specifications. And more importantly, go see my friends at Ontario Volkswagen. Beyond putting you in the car you want and at the best price, they鈥檙e not going to play any of the old school (or new school!) games. The guys and gals at Ontario Volkswagen are my friends and I鈥檓 happy to personally introduce you. Volkswagen鈥檚 2019 Jetta GLI comes with the same engine across all three trims. That鈥檚 a 2-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that puts out 228-horsepower with 258 lb-ft of torque. The 鈥?9 Jetta GLI comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission. And I love driving manual on open roads and low-traffic conditions. Of course, here in Southern California, we鈥檙e hardpressed to find either of those settings.
So the optional 7-speed automatic transmission is probably the way to go. My test driver hand the automatic transmission option and it鈥檚 Tiptronic shifting offered the fun and control of manual while delivering the convenience of automatic. What鈥檚 even better are the paddle shifters. Even in normal drive mode, I spun the tires with the paddles. In sport mode, you can easily smoke the rubber. And with the 2019 VW Jetta GLI still being a Volkswagen, great fuel economy comes standard. All the trims and engines are rated the same at 25-miles-per-gallon in the city and 32-miles-per-gallon on the highway. Like usual, the Ontario Volkswagen team set me up in a gorgeous, well-equipped test driver. The 35th Anniversary Edition is super-eye-catching, especially in the Pure Gray color they gave me. But really, you can鈥檛 go wrong with any of the colors, (red, white, black, gray, & silver) VW offers for the 鈥?9 Jetta GLI. All of them look fantastic with the red highlighted GLI badging.
Another nod to the 35th Anniversary Edition, in addition to the seat tags mentioned above, is the exterior badging on both sides of the Jetta GLI. And the 18鈥?5-spoke gray painted wheels, on the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 35th Anniversary Edition, with red accents, looked great especially with the red brake calipers visible. Driving the enthusiasts鈥?version of the 2019 Jetta was a blast. Exactly as, I鈥檓 sure, Volkswagen intended. The GLI is quick. From a dead stop, you can really feel the torque. And that goes the same for when you鈥檙e on the highway and want to pass someone. In both cases, it also sounds great when doing so! My test driver, the 35th Anniversary Edition, also had Volkswagen鈥檚 Dynamic Chasis Control (DCC) giving it a very sure-footed and stable feel when handling at any speed. 30k. And again, that鈥檚 just MSRP, go see my friends at Ontario VW for the best deal you鈥檒l find. The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is distinctive and sharp in its styling.
