Christian Wardlaw’s Opinion of the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI’s Quality:
Volkswagens are not known, historically, for quality. Look at Consumer Reports, and you’ll see several VW models on the “Used Cars to Avoid” list. But, as a new car, with a warranty, this 2006 VW Jetta GLI stands up to scrutiny. Inside, I found just one major panel joint flaw, and it wasn’t visible since the errant seam was tucked underneath the climate controls. Outside, there were a few panel gap variations, but no glaring assembly problems. However, the driver’s seat did squeak every time my weight shifted on it, and on rough pavement the cabin was filled with a cacophony of buzzes and rattles – a common VW trait, especially over time. As for the materials used inside the Jetta, I thought they gave off a little too much glare, but otherwise found nothing downmarket or cheap about the controls, the stalks, the switches, the plastics, or the leather upholstery. And that aluminum is real, not fake stuff. Not bad for a car that starts for about $24,000.

Liz Kim’s Opinion of the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI’s Quality:
Inside the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, you’ll find the typical accoutrements of German persuasion, with controls that aren’t as friendly to use as some Japanese counterparts. Pleasing to the eye are the VW red-and-blue inset gauges and inviting to the touch are its high-quality interior materials. Of note was the excellent steering wheel, with its substantial thickness and grips where the hands naturally rest, and the cool flat bottom edge. Raising some concerns were the abundance of squeaks and rattles that permeated the cabin of this relatively new vehicle, which would serve as a daily reminder of how VW cars in general have suffered from build quality issues in the past. The conventional wisdom is that you should lease a VW then swap it out as soon as the warranty expires. That’s not a good way to build customer loyalty.

Thom Blackett’s Opinion of the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI’s Quality:
Volkswagen has long been recognized for offering interiors that simply outclass the competition. In keeping with that vein, the 2006 VW Jetta GLI features quality materials throughout that are only rivaled in terms of how well they’ve been assembled. Interior plastics, from the padded panels on the dash to the harder stuff on the doors and console, offer matching grains and are consistent in color. The leather upholstery, as well as the material on the door inserts, shift lever, and steering wheel, feels soft and luxurious. A quality mesh headliner features clean seams around the sunroof and is matched by material used on the upper pillars. Alloy decorates the doors, center dash, and shifter plate, while gauge rings and control knobs have a metallic finish. It’s all put together extremely well, with the only noticeable points being inconsistent gaps on the sides of the dash. The exterior had a few more issues, such as a front fascia and rear door panels that didn’t sit quite flush with the body and very slight gap differences on the bottom of the trunk lid.

Mandy Ison’s Opinion of the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI’s Quality:
Although I found the exterior to be pleasing, the Jetta’s truly outstanding features are within. The car oozes class, from its all leather interior to the refined plastics and metals used for the dials, switches, and readouts. Volkswagen packs as many features as it can into the fully loaded version of the Jetta GLI, appealing to those who may not be able to afford a luxury vehicle but could spring the down payment for this stacked and well appointed vehicle. There’s no skimping on materials, or overall comfort and design. Admittedly, I didn’t examine the fit and finish of body panels, interior pieces, etc., but most women really don’t care about that stuff. Seriously, when I begin to read what Blackett and Wardlaw wrote about how this or that didn’t fit “just so,” my eyes rolled into the back of my head. The car looked good, period, and that’s what matters. To top it off, if you love the little features that make a car convenient for a lot more than driving, the Jetta GLI has them by the handful.