2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The Volkswagen Jetta GLI is a compact sport sedan, in the same arena as the celebrated Honda Civic Si and Subaru WRX. It also runs in the same circles as several sporty compact hatchbacks, including the Hyundai Elantra GT N Line, MINI Cooper S, and Volkswagen’s own Golf GTI. For 2020, it gets light updates, including a new generation of the Car-Net telematics system.
Versus the regular Jetta, the Jetta GLI has a unique front fascia, body kit, rear diffuser, and special alloy wheels. Inside, you’ll find GLI-specific sport seats, a GLI instrument cluster, and a performance GLI steering wheel. The new version of Car-Net includes an updated mobile app, a number of free services for 5 years, and new subscription options.
The Jetta GLI has a much more potent engine than that of the standard Jetta. It’s a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder unit good for 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. That bolts to either a standard 6-speed manual transmission or optional 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). All Jetta GLIs have front-wheel drive (FWD). An electronic limited-slip differential is standard, while an adaptive damping system is optional. Even with all that power, the Jetta GLI still manages 25 mpg city, 32 highway, and 28 combined with the automatic transmission and 1 mpg better on the highway with the manual.
Last year’s 35th Anniversary Edition trim goes away, leaving just the S and Autobahn grades for 2020. The S includes LED headlights, LED taillights, 18-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, keyless access and start, dual-zone automatic climate control, 10-color ambient lighting, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen audio system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Autobahn adds the adaptive damping system, a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, remote start, an 8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a performance monitor, BeatsAudio, an LCD instrument panel, and wireless charging.
On the safety front, a reversing camera, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and blind-spot monitoring come standard. Unfortunately, options like adaptive cruise control and parking sensors aren’t offered. While the Jetta GLI has not specifically been crash-tested, the regular Jetta has. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it top marks for crash safety and crash prevention.
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2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 13.4 · Front brake width: 1.2 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.8 · Rear brake width: 0.5 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Door sill trim: illuminated scuff plate · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: stainless steel · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Ambient lighting: color-adjustable · Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Footwell lights: color-adjustable · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.13 · Limited slip differential: front
Engine
Alternator: 140 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: app marketplace integration · Infotainment: Android Auto ready · Infotainment screen size: 6.5 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low oil pressure
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: LED · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: alert system · Pre-Collision Warning System: audible warning · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: contrast stitching
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 10.3 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.1
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 24 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 22 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: Amazon Alexa · Smart device app function: horn/light operation · Wifi: hotspot
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: aluminum with painted accents
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Beats by Dr. Dre premium brand · Touch screen display radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 8 · 400 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 13.4 · Front brake width: 1.2 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.8 · Rear brake width: 0.5 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Door sill trim: illuminated scuff plate · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: stainless steel · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Ambient lighting: color-adjustable · Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Footwell lights: color-adjustable · Memorized settings: audio system · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: voice recognition controls · Storage: sunglasses holder · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.13 · Limited slip differential: front
Engine
Alternator: 140 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: app marketplace integration · Infotainment: Android Auto ready · Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 10.25 in. · Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: manual folding
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: anti-trapping feature
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system · Pre-Collision Warning System: audible warning · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: contrast stitching
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 10.3 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.1
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 24 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 22 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: Car-Net · Smart device app function: lock operation · Wifi: hotspot
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: aluminum with painted accents
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse