2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI First Drive

VW delivers a sweet little sports sedan—just don’t call it a Jetta

by Alan Rider


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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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“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” - William Shakespeare

SANTA FE, NM – Winding along undulating back roads under a brilliantly blue New Mexico sky, we can’t help thinking that that Shakespeare guy hit the nail on the head when he penned the immortal phrase “What’s in a name?”

While old Bill used roses as an example, he might as well have been describing the all-new 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI. That’s because VW’s marketing types are intent on changing this sporty top-of-the-line Jetta model’s name, referring to it simply as the “2006 Volkswagen GLI” in order to make us think of this affordable sports sedan as a stand-alone model similar to their Golf-based GTI sports coupe.

Ultimately, we can’t help but think that this decision to drop the J-word is largely immaterial. Because, no matter what name they choose to use, this compact four-door is one sweet little set of wheels.