If the standard VW Jetta is boring for you, and let’s be honest it is, then you should consider this new GLI edition they unveiled at Chicago autoshow. It offers even better value than the base car because it’s reasonably priced and comes with more of everything.

Let’s start with the pricing. The Jetta GLI comes in three trims, the base has a starting MSRP of $23,495. The GLI Autobahn, with an MSRP of $25,545, adds 18″ alloy wheels, sunroof, dual zone climate control, heated V-Tex Leatherette seats and the Fender Premium Audio System. The top of the line Jetta GLI Autobahn with Navigation adds the RNS-315 navigation system and keyless access with push-button start technology for an MSRP of $26,445.

The GLI Jetta is powered by the renowned VW 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine with 200 horsepower and 207 lb.-ft. of torque at just 1,700 rpm. Its offered with a six-speed manual gearbox, but can be ordered with the DSG transmission, with which it is expected to deliver 31 mpg highway with the manual and 32 mpg highway.

The GLI being a sporty sedan it also features Track tuned four-way Independent Performance Suspension for superb handling, DSG automatic gearbox that offers steering wheel mounted paddles shifters, super quick shift times and rev-matched downshifts, XDS cross differential system that debuted on the Volkswagen GTI, that helps prevent inside wheel spin during cornering and Four wheel disc brakes with floating red calipers.



The car also looks different than normal models inside and out, with a new grille, revised bumpers, available with 17″ or 18″ alloys, and smoke lights as well as dual exhaust pipes on the outside – and sport bucket seats with red stitching and a sport flat-bottom steering wheel with red stitching, the GLI logo and aluminum accents inside the cabin.

To increase versatility, the rear bench seatback is split 60/40 and folds. The trunk can also be opened from inside the car by a remote unlock switch. As for safety features, it gets electronic stability control, tire pressure monitoring and Volkswagen’s advanced Intelligent Crash Response System, which initiates automatic safety protection in some types of collisions — the electrical supply to the fuel pump is shut off, the doors unlock and the hazard lights switch on, as well as driver and front passenger airbags, side airbags in front and Side Curtain Protection airbags in front and rear.

The U.S. can expect to see the new GLI in dealer showrooms sometime in May



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