Christian Wardlaw’s 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Driving Impressions:
Honestly, I’m surprised I still have a driver’s license. The 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI begs to be driven hard, everywhere you go, and I’ve been more than happy to oblige it, turning into one of the biggest A-holes on southern California roadways as a result. Never before have I traveled a buck-ten on the 405 freeway. Rarely do I slice and dice through traffic during my commute. And on the day it was raining hard, I found myself sailing through Huntington Beach on the Pacific Coast Highway at 75 mph – 30 over the limit, on wet roads. The Jetta GLI is trouble waiting to happen. Trouble for you, your driving record, and your wallet – except at the gas pump. Though I filled it with the recommended premium at $3 a gallon in downtown Long Beach, I averaged 21.4 mpg during the week despite my leaden right foot, so taking the hit for higher octane fuel wasn’t too bad.

Here’s what I don’t like about driving the Volkswagen Jetta GLI. There’s a hint of turbo lag off the line or when passing with the Direct Shift Gearbox in normal mode. And, well, that’s pretty much it. The blown four-banger has a thick wad of torque running between 1,800 rpm and 4,700 rpm, and gets into it quickly, threatening to turn the front tires into slicks if you stay in the throttle. Torque steer isn’t much of a problem here; just point, squirt, and go. Brakes require fine inputs to work smoothly without grabbing, but the steering is always a model of perfection, and the meaty square-bottomed wheel features chunky grips at the 10-and-2 and 7-and-5 positions, perfect whether you shuffle steer through the S-curves or not. The optional 18-inch performance tires offer phenomenal grip, the suspension soaks up every road rut and zit, and body roll is under control. From behind the wheel, on a favorite back road, you just cannot believe that it’s a front-wheel-drive sedan you’re ripping along in. This car is an incredibly capable handler with stability and traction systems that feature high thresholds and minimum intrusion. But it’s not just a canyon carver. You can use this thing as a daily driver, too, and enjoy the benefits of European suspension tuning, room for four adults, and a huge trunk complete with a handy grocery bag hook.

I am so in love with this car, you don’t have any idea…

Liz Kim’s 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Driving Impressions:
There are cars that can go fast. Then there are cars that make you want to go fast. The 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is a vehicle of both persuasions. As if a long, straight stretch of road with no discernable obstacles was not enough to taunt you into stretching the muscles of your right ankle, the turbocharged and Teutonic-bred powerplant, with its enthusiastic buildup of power and torque, will most certainly be cause for arguments with the Significant Other about exactly why it is that you need to launch so aggressively, every single time. Also impressive is the DSG gearbox, although it seemed better-behaved and more seamless in Sport mode than in the regular Drive mode. Overall, the VW Jetta GLI is a hoot to drive, with pleasingly communicative road dynamics, a taut suspension and an eagerness to show off its rotational balance.

Thom Blackett’s 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Driving Impressions:
Having spent a good deal of time with the new Volkswagen GTI, I had an idea about what to expect from the 2006 VW Jetta GLI. These two athletic rides share the same basic platform and the same turbocharged powertrain. And, as expected, the GLI proved to be just as fun as the boosted Golf, only with a more family-friendly four-door configuration (though a five-door GTI is coming soon).

With the Direct Shift Gearbox transmission set in regular ol’ Drive mode, the 2006 VW Jetta GLI is a smooth operator during routine driving, though the throttle is a bit touchy and has a tendency to unleash a bit more power than sometimes anticipated. Dropping the shifter to Sport mode only exacerbates this condition, digging in for more power sooner and holder revs up longer for more performance. It’s a great setup when spirited driving is on the agenda, but taking a gentle approach with the accelerator and selecting Drive is best for the everyday commute. There’s also a third option – click the shift knob over to manual mode and use the paddle shifters on the steering wheel. That’s a good way to add more fun to what’s already a fun ride, and the rev-matching feature prevents sudden jolts on downshifts.

Along with the GLI’s improved powertrain come tighter, more responsive suspension and steering systems. Given the deluge of rain we’ve been seeing in Southern California, I wasn’t able to introduce the GLI to my favorite twisty roads, though I did find a big empty parking lot that was set up with orange cones (no kidding – how’s that for luck?). High-speed maneuvers through the cones showed that this Jetta is rock-solid stable, lacking any significant body roll and using a stability control system that intervenes only when absolutely necessary. Try as I might, I couldn’t get the GLI to break loose, which is noteworthy considering the heavy rain. Had I been able to gain more speed on a dry day, the results may have differed, though I doubt by much.

Mandy Ison’s 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Driving Impressions:
Do you remember the days when having a “bug” could mean more than finding one in your hair? Volkswagens were the inexpensive and quirky car of choice for angst-ridden teenagers. Friends would pull up to my door in these rattle traps and we’d pile in for a day at the beach or around town. These were the same friends who knew how to take the air-cooled engines apart in two seconds flat. Why? Because those “bugs” often broke down and needed every bit of the loving attention a teenager could save up between him and his buddies. So my lasting impression of a Volkswagen was one of “See ya, but I wouldn’t want to be ya.” I vowed that when I grew up, I would never own a Volkswagen.

That’s why driving the 2006 Jetta GLI blew my misconceptions out of the water. Boy, has Volkswagen come a long way since the original “bug”! With nimble steering, a tight turning radius, and acceleration that is more than adequate for merging into freeway traffic, I found myself loving the little car. The only drawbacks were the touchy brakes at low speeds and the stiff ride quality, but the Jetta handled turns and freeway maneuvering like a shark among minnows. After making a wrong turn during the test drive, I did a quick U-turn on a crowded, under construction, two-lane street and this baby made it with room to spare. Absolutely kickin’!