Volkswagen Reveals 2019 Jetta GLI Pricing: It's Cheaper than a Golf GTI!

From Car and Driver

• On sale this spring, the 2019 Jetta GLI will undercut the Golf GTI's price by $1600.

• Performance equipment shared with the hatchback GTI includes brakes, powertrain, and limited-slip differential.

• A special 35th Anniversary Edition model will come with an adaptive suspension.

Volkswagen's revived Jetta GLI sedan made a splash when it debuted at the Chicago auto show earlier this month, and now we know how much it will cost when it goes on sale this spring. Despite sharing performance parts with the famed Golf GTI, the base GLI will start $1600 cheaper than a similarly equipped GTI.

The Jetta GLI lineup will consist of three trims: S, 35th Anniversary, and Autobahn. All three are powered by a 228-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine that drives the front wheels through a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The GLI's front brakes and torque-sensing limited-slip differential are both shared with the GTI and the even hotter Golf R. Volkswagen says the midrange 35th Anniversary model also will come with an adaptive suspension.

The GLI S comes with a ton of features and promises to be the best value of the lineup. With a price of $26,890, it comes with:

• 18-inch aluminum wheels

• LED headlamps, taillamps, and daytime running lamps

• Leather-wrapped sport steering wheel and shift knob

• Cloth sport seats with heat for the front occupants

• Ambient lighting with 10 color choices

• Keyless entry with push-button start

• Dual-zone automatic climate control

• Rain-sensing windshield wipers

• Auto-dimming rearview mirror

• 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability

• Forward-collision warning with automated emergency braking

• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert

Adding the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission ups the price of the GLI S to $27,690. Next up is the GLI 35th Anniversary Edition, which costs $27,890 with the manual and $28,690 with the automatic and comes standard with:

• 18-inch wheels finished in dark-gray paint with red accents

• Black roof, mirror caps, and rear spoiler

• Fender badges, doorsill protectors, seat tags, and floor mats with the 35th Anniversary Edition logo

• Adaptive suspension

The top-of-the-line GLI Autobahn costs $30,090 with the manual and $30,890 with the automatic. It also comes with a ton of extras, including:

• Panoramic sunroof

• Reconfigurable digital gauge display

• Nine-speaker Beats premium stereo system

• Leather seats with heat and ventilation for the front occupants and power adjustments for the driver

• Remote start

• 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment with SiriusXM satellite radio

The Jetta GLI should arrive at U.S. Volkswagen dealerships in just a few short months and, like all Volkswagens, will come with fully transferrable six-year/72,000-mile limited and powertrain warranties.

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