If you’re in the market for a sporty sedan, look no further than the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta GLI. Drivers would usually be limited to the Autobahn trim, but this year, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Jetta GLI, Volkswagen has introduced a limited-edition model. To help you decide which Jetta GLI model best suits your needs, we look at both trims in more detail.
1. GLI 40th Anniversary Edition
Exterior
The 40th Anniversary Edition Jetta GLI trim differs slightly in appearance from the Autobahn due to its body-colored rear spoiler and black heated and power-foldable side mirrors. Although it holds on to the black honeycomb grille with red accents, the GLI badging is replaced with a special celebratory badge. Other standard exterior features include LED projector headlamps, LED taillamps, and rain-sensing front wipers.
Interior Styling
The theme continues inside, with special badging on the door seals, cloth seats, and the leather-wrapped sports steering wheel. Drivers can manually adjust their heated sports comfort seat while all passengers experience comfort thanks to the dual-zone climate control and ambient interior lighting.
Performance
The Jetta GLI’s sporty performance comes from the 2.0-liter 16-valve turbo four-cylinder engine hiding under the hood. VW pairs this with a six-speed manual transmission to deliver 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, making the GLI a fun car to drive. A seven-speed automatic transmission is available for those not keen on manual.
Driver Assist
The 40th Anniversary Edition is equipped with several standard driver-assist features to improve safety, including pedestrian monitoring, active blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. It’s also fitted with a DCC adaptive chassis control, which continually adjusts the suspension for a smoother ride on all road surfaces.
2. Autobahn
Volkswagen’s Autobahn trim is stylish, sleek, and sporty-looking with its red accents and 18-inch alloy wheels. What it adds to the 40th Anniversary Edition is a power sliding and tilting panoramic sunroof, and the power-foldable side mirrors now have position memory for convenience. Interior comfort also receives an upgrade with leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver seat with memory.
Technology
Lane assist, travel assist, and power steering are all added to the already impressive catalog of driver-assist features. Both trim levels have great tech features, such as an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, a wireless charger, and USB-C ports in both the front and back. However, opting for the Autobahn means you’ll enjoy improved sound quality thanks to the BeatsAudio audio system.
The Jetta GLI delivers sporty performance whichever trim level you opt for. Contact us or visit Auffenberg Volkswagen in Shiloh, IL today, and let our experienced team help you decide whether the Autobahn or the 40th Anniversary Edition will be your new ride.
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