{"id":211866,"date":"2021-11-08T11:45:24","date_gmt":"2021-11-08T16:45:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thedetroitbureau.com\/?p=211866"},"modified":"2021-11-08T11:45:33","modified_gmt":"2021-11-08T16:45:33","slug":"what-to-buy-2022-vw-jetta-gli-vs-2022-golf-gti","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/2021\/11\/what-to-buy-2022-vw-jetta-gli-vs-2022-golf-gti\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Buy: 2022 VW Jetta GLI vs. 2022 Golf GTI"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Both the Volkswagen Jetta GLI and Golf GTI have been renewed for 2022. Given that, the question arises, which one to buy? Is one better than the other? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Volkswagen’s 2022 Jetta GLI is back for the new model year.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A recent test drive of both vehicles at the media introduction in Asheville, North Carolina revealed some differences that would matter to finicky enthusiasts, but may not to others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, there are more differences than merely the Jetta’s trunk vs. the GTI’s hatch. So, let\u2019s get take a quick look at these two athletic VeeDubs, go-to vehicles for lead-footed drivers since their debut in Europe in 1976 and in the U.S. in 1983.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The GTI also gets upgrades for the 2022 model year.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For 2022, the Jetta gets updates styling tweaks, revised technology and added safety features or, in industry parlance, a refresh. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By contrast, the GTI receives a full redesign, and is now known as the Mk 8 model, making it the eighth generation for the iconic hot hatch. The difference \u2014 in the extent of their redesigns \u2014 has an effect on which one you would prefer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, while both vehicles are based on Volkswagen\u2019s MQB platform that underpins a plethora of Volkswagen Group models, the Jetta is offered for 2022 in a single trim level: the fully loaded Autobahn package. By comparison, the GTI comes in ascending S, SE and Autobahn trims.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exterior<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Jetta GLI’s interior. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Jetta just gets the styling revisions you\u2019d expect, including a new front and rear bumpers, new wheels and a larger pair of dual exhausts. In addition, LED headlights are standard, as is a new light-up, honeycomb-texture grille. grille. But overall, the look is fairly similar to the current model. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The GTI\u2019s redesign is dramatic, with a far thinner horizontal grille and sleeker LED headlights underpinned by a larger lower honeycomb grille. Deciding between the two is simple: do you prefer a hatchback or a sedan? The GTI is 18.1 inches shorter than the Jetta\u2019s 186.9-inch length.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interior<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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GTI’s interior<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This is where the comparison starts to get interesting. The GTI has 91.9 cubic feet passenger space and 19.9 cubic feet of cargo space in its cabin, or 111.8 cubic feet, enough to categorize it as a midsize car despite its compact car length. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet the Jetta, with a length within tenths of an inch of being considered a midsize car, is considered a compact because of its 94.7 cubic feet of passenger space and 14.1 cubic foot trunk totals 108.8 cubic feet, 1.2 cubic feet less than the EPA\u2019s size classification for midsize cars. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nevertheless, the GTI has less second-row headroom, hip room and legroom than the Jetta, and the additional space that makes it a midsize car is cargo space that is rarely used and would block the driver\u2019s rearward view. But the GTI\u2019s hatchback shape makes it more practical for hauling stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Jetta GLI has slightly more rear seat room, if it matters.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The bigger difference comes from their ambience.\u00a0The Jetta\u2019s lower starting price<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0for non-GLI lends it an interior a downscale environment awash in hard plastics, despite such upgrades as a new leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift lever, a 10.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a panoramic sunroof, as well as heated and ventilated front seats. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In contrast, the GTI is trimmed with higher quality plastics and also boasts a 10.3-inch digital gauge cluster. Its seats feel better bolstered, and the whole interior has more of the feel of an Audi A3, and even includes its toggle switch shifter on dual clutch models. It’s incredibly sleek capacitive climate controls lends the interior a more modern feel versus the Jetta\u2019s traditional climate controls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But there are still signs of the Jetta\u2019s penny pinching in the GTI. Both cars suffer from hard plastic center console housing, which proves painful for longer legged drivers. At these prices, this should be wrapped in some sort of soft material, particularly on the GTI.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The GTI has less rear seat space than the GLI.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Powertrain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Both the Jetta and GTI use a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder E888 engine mated to a standard 6-speed manual or an optional 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. But the engine used in the GTI has been updated, while the one used in the Jetta carries over from last year\u2019s Jetta GLI and Mk 7 GTI. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The GLI is rated at 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the GTI is rated at 241 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, a difference of 13 hp and 15 lb-ft of torque. And the Jetta carries an extra 242 pounds depending on model vs. the GTI. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The GLI is plenty quick with a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder putting out 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This may make the GTI faster, but it takes a toll on fuel economy, according to the EPA. In combined city\/highway driving, the Jetta is more efficient at 30 mpg, 2 mpg better than the GTI. However, Volkswagen notes that while it recommends that both models use regular unleaded fuel, the Jetta achieves its power ratings using premium fuel. Both vehicles have a 915-pound payload capcity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Safety and Technology<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to safety, NHTSA rates the GLI at five stars for side crash protection and four stars for rollover protection, but hasn\u2019t given it a front crash or overall rating. The similar 2021 Jetta GLI received four stars for front crash protection and five stars overall. While the IIHS hasn\u2019t tested the 2022 GLI, the 2021 model received \u201cGood\u201d scores in all of its crash tests. Neither NHTSA nor the IIHS has not rated the redesigned 2022 GTI. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The GTI is the faster of the pair with its turbo-4 putting out 241 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Both models get IQ.Drive<\/a><\/strong>, the name Volkswagen gives for its suite of driver assistance safety systems, including semi-automated driving assistance; forward collision warning; autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian monitoring; blind spot monitor; rear traffic alert; adaptive cruise control (acc) stop and lane keeping assist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll find that the system subtly turns the steering wheel during cornering, but it doesn\u2019t seem as invasive as similar systems from other automakers, such as Hyundai. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Jetta\u2019s 8-inch infotainment touchscreen uses VW\u2019s new MIB-3 infotainment interface that incorporates Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a subscription-based WiFi hotspot. It also has a wireless charger and a 400-watt, eight-speaker BeatsAudio sound system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Jetta’s trunk features fold-down rear seatbcks for hauling larger items. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The GTI also has the MIB-3 infotainment interface on its larger 10-inch touch touchscreen, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Driving Impressions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Both the Jetta and GTI provide quick acceleration and sharp handling. But back-to-back driving revealed the cars to have noticeably subtle differences. Let\u2019s start with the GTI. It\u2019s an easy car to drive for those who love to drive fast. It mercilessly tackles corner with effortless German efficiency, and despite its power is mercifully free of torque steer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Credit the electronically controlled limited-slip differential and torque vectoring; it certainly ups the entertainment factor. There is a trace of turbo lag off the line; it\u2019s unavoidable given the powerplant. But the turbo spools up quickly, and the car makes quick work of wherever you point it. Challenging your favorite twisting road also reveals its firm, twist-free structure; its solidity over bumps is impressive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The GTI’s hatchback gives it an edge when carrying cargo.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Opting for the Jetta brings with it adaptive dampers and a multi-link rear suspension, rather than the standard Jetta\u2019s torsion beam rear. It provides a more compliant ride than its hatchback sibling, an important consideration for those who live in regions with chewed up road surfaces. Hard cornering can cause the Jetta to scrub off some speed, but it\u2019s not important unless you\u2019re doing track work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a car that you live with day-to-day the tradeoff might be worth it. Certainly, it\u2019s not quite as fast as the GTI, but it\u2019s every bit as fun and just as agile. Neither hang their tales out like a rear drive car when requested, but in exchange you get better traction in foul weather. Curiously, the Jetta\u2019s revised exhaust sounded better than that of the GTI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wrap Up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So, which one to buy? Aside from the question of hatchback vs notchback, the difference in interior ambience, and the slight difference in feel, the question may come down to price. The Jetta comes in one trim level, fully-loaded Autobahn. It starts at $30,995 for the manual transmission, $31,795 for the dual-clutch model. The only option is $595 Black Package. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The differences are small, but which one to get?<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

By contrast, the GTI starts at $29,545 for the manual transmission model, $30,345 with the dual-clutch, but that\u2019s for the base S trim. The midlevel SE starts at $34,295\/$35,095, while a comparably-equipped GTI Autobahn, will set you back $37,995\/$38,775 depending on transmission, nearly 20% more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is it worth it? For most buyers, no.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, keep in mind that the Audi A3 starts at $33,900, albeit with only 201 horsepower, and suddenly, the GTI looks like less of a deal. But compared to the Audi S3<\/a><\/strong> with 306 horsepower, which starts at $44,900, the GTI doesn\u2019t seem so bad, particularly in SE trim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the end, no matter what your budget, you\u2019ll an MQB-based car that\u2019s an absolute blast to drive.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Volkswagen\u2019s 2022 Jetta GLI vs. the Golf GTI: Which one to buy? TheDetoritBureau.com parses out the differences and similarities.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13752,"featured_media":211865,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8,7,1608],"tags":[1492,3074,3436,3434,3437,3435,1455],"make":[],"post-state":[],"category_old":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/211866"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13752"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=211866"}],"version-history":[{"count":34,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/211866\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":212002,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/211866\/revisions\/212002"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/211865"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=211866"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=211866"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=211866"},{"taxonomy":"make","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/make?post=211866"},{"taxonomy":"post-state","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post-state?post=211866"},{"taxonomy":"category_old","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/category_old?post=211866"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}