Volkswagen tags its vehicles with the “GLI” badges when it wants you to know it has spent some extra effort developing power, handling and other features. The latest VW product to bear the three-letter upgrade is the 2019 Jetta.
The sixth-gen Jetta GLI had its global debut at last year’s Chicago Auto Show, but the company held off until now – when it knew the Canadian International Auto Show would be in full swing in Toronto – to reveal Canadian pricing.
A cool $31,695 will get you the keys to the 2019 Jetta GLI this spring, while $32,445 will allow you to take home one of the 35th Anniversary Edition models.
The latter moderately-more-expensive/-special Jetta gets some darkened exterior details like a black roof, black mirror caps and a black tail spoiler; unique seat tags, floor mats and kickplates; a fifth “Comfort” drive mode; and 35th anniversary badges inside and out.
The engine for both is the familiar 2.0-litre TSI turbo, which has been tweaked to put out 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft. of torque.
That’s paired with a choice of either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Suspension, meanwhile, has been borrowed from the capable Golf GTI, and brakes from the Golf R.
Read more about the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI here, and then go check it out in person at the 2019 CIAS.