2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI First Drive Review & Drive

( http://www.TFLcar.com ) The 2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is back and ready to rumble. The new VW Jetta GLI comes with Volkswagen's proven 2.0L turbo-charged engine that produces 200 HP and likes to tear up the tarmac. Unlike the base Jetta the GLI gets independent rear suspension, sporty body kit and red stitching on the interior leather plus a soft-touch dashboard, and perhaps more importantly much quicker steering and better handling. So is it a sedan version of VW's hot hatch Golf GTI? Watch the video to find out.

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Autos & Vehicles

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• 2012
• Volkswagen
• VW
• Jetta
• GLI
• review
• reviewed
• tested
• drive
• driven
• car
• cars
• vehicle
• auto
• automobile
• 2.0L
• turbo-charged
• new
• automobiles
• engine

[gene978]

Pretty Great is right Roman. Did we test any Subaru 2.5GT, or 3.6 Legacy sedan?

[romanmicagearguy]

@gene978 I drove and reviewed the Subaru a few months ago but they really don't compare in my book as the Jetta is front-wheel-drive while the Subaru is all-wheel-drive.

[laamor99]

@romanmicagearguy Hey Roman, love ur reviews. Do you think quality control is still a factor since the Jetta and the Beetle are built in Mexico? I'm hesitate to buy any car built in Mexico. Also, whats ur feeling about the new Passat TDI?  Thanks.

[romanmicagearguy]

@laamor99 I personally like the Jetta TDI Wagon. My neighbor has one and he loves it and unlike the Jetta sedan...the wagon is really a German Golf wagon and built in Germany (if that factors into your buying decison). BTW: I owned two second generation Beetles and both had quality issues.

[techdude6693]

I'm not sure how this is more practical than a 5-door GTI

[romanmicagearguy]

@techdude6693 Good point, I would only add that the Jetta GLI is a much, much bigger car when compared to a Golf GTI. I would not want to go on a long road trip in the back of the Golf...but the new Jetta's back seat room is huge in comparison.

[PetarVN]

Age Distinctiion for sedans

25>35 GLI

35>45 Hyundai Sonata Limited

45>55 Ford Fusion Sport AWD

60> Toyota Camry

[grazfather81]

They do have the DSG's.....

[fanfinmiami]

I don;t think these have the DSG's, I think it's just a regular Triptronic.

[Betaops252]

people complain about this interior....I'm sure they haven't seen the GLI's competitor's interiors

[hoptard]

@MrKossportapro

APR the GLI Autobahn with an exhaust (270hp / 295 torque), total $1200. Just got my GLI Autobahn for $25.9. I'm still saving over 4k with perf. mod. vs. the GTI Autobahn that still sits there "blah" at 200hp. Add sway bars for another $500, one then has a really fun car. Subaru also uses crap plastic for door panels, I owned a Legacy GTI with crap plastic.....the GTI's lower 2/3 of door panels are the same crap plastic the Jetta has.....bet that's worth 5G's difference.

[TurkiyeCumhurbaskani]

i bought 2012 I am putting red stripe for the front grill I don't like the chrome

[litalover19]

The problem with this jetta is that the material inside is cheap compared to the previous model.

[RandyJostion]

@iggibars buckoff! its trash then haha

[iggibars]

@RandyJostion LOL! Learn how to spell throw! The GLI never had 4motion!

[RandyJostion]

not even 4motion? through it in the trash.