Test Drive: 2014 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Edition 30

By Kevin Harrison

The last time I drove a Jetta GLI was back in 2012. The highest trim level – and subsequently the most performance oriented – within the Jetta lineup faired quite well in my review. I liked the decent amount of power, I liked the oodles of room and I liked that you were actually able to get your choice of a six-speed manual, among other things.

Not all was perfect though. I didn’t like how the suspension felt a bit waftier than its hatchback cousin the GTI. I also didn’t like that it virtually had no exhaust note and, aside from the optional wheels, there really wasn’t much to help it stand apart from lesser Jettas.
Well this year is the GLI’s 30^th birthday and to celebrate, Volkswagen has introduced the ‘Edition 30’ of the GLI.

30 years in the automotive industry is a pretty big deal. There are only a handful of cars that can say they’ve made it through the cutting block each year, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that longevity equals a great product. Take a look at the Impala. It’s been around for almost 60 years and even though its youth started off promising, it eventually settled into old age the way most human beings do: tired, sluggish, uninteresting and bloated. I am pleased to see the Impala back on the mend though, as my recent test revealed.

But the GLI has rather consistently stayed on form throughout the past three decades. After 30 year’s you’d think it would be close to perfect. Has the GLI addressed some of the its few shortcomings to make it a perfect family car for the petrol head? I drove one to find out.

Coincidentally it’s also going to be my 30^th birthday this year as well but I must admit the GLI has fared a lot better than I have looks-wise over time. Some panned the current generation Jetta as being too bland compared to the Korean twins who were coming out with swoopier designs, but I think the look works fairly well considering the Germans aren’t exactly known to be risk takers on style. One thing I’m please to say Volkswagen addressed was my criticism that the GLI looks a bit too much like the regular Jetta and the Edition 30 models specifically addresses this area. Along with ‘Edition 30’ badging, it also gets Watkins Glen 18-inch wheels which are quite eye-catching as most people would do a double take while it was parked. I’m sure my tester’s optional Tornado Red paint also helped. It isn’t much, but the GLI Edition 30 definitely improves upon looks all while keeping with German traditional by remaining understated. Only eagle eyed people would likely spot the ever so slightly redesigned tail lights which house LED’s, along with and updated grille which brings the traditional red pin stripes back. LED running lights with HID’s are optional. But overall, this is the kind of thing that I was looking for when I said I wanted the GLI to stand out a bit more. I wanted it done rather subtly. Kudos to Volkswagen.

Inside is, like most Volkswagens, a very nice place to be – however I must admit that the design is getting a bit old. I’ve driven nearly every newer model Volkswagen has to offer and the majority of them use the same design – same steering wheel design, same centre console design, same instrument cluster design. There’s nothing wrong with the design elements themselves other than the look is getting tired and I’m sure Volkswagen buyers would appreciate a bit more character between models. With that said, the GLI gets a beefier wheel, and bolstered bucket seats with red stitching among other things to help set it apart.

While the centre display screen is clear, and seemingly a bit larger than in previous years, it’s still very much outdone by size, functionality and crispness from the Koreans and the Japanese. When I tested the Passat 3.6 a few years ago, I said that Volkswagen must’ve joined the ‘Slow movement’ since everything it did was slow. Slow turn signals, slow engine start up and slow responsiveness to commands within the display system. Unfortunately all those things remain true. I say unfortunately but really it only matters with the display system. Once you push a button and it doesn’t immediately respond it forces to you push it again even though it was likely in the process of trying to answer your command. It is intensely distracting and eventually it gets irritating.

Interior room is quite good, especially in the rear seats and trunk space. Once upon a time (say, oh, I don’t know, 30 or so years ago) the Jetta was actually the size of a compact car. Today’s iteration is blurring the lines between compact and mid-size. The advantage is extra space, however it does leave a rather large gap in Volkswagen’s lineup if you truly want a smaller car. And yes, I am hinting that Volkswagen should really bring the Polo over here, but I digress.

Power comes from a 2.0 turbocharged inline 4 which gets 10 more horses over the MY2012 I tested bringing the total to 210 and the torque gets rated at 207 pound feet. If those numbers seem low, well they are by today’s standards. But as any performance enthusiast worth his or her weight will tell you, it’s not always about the numbers on paper. The Germans have a reputation for being quite conservative with power figures and I suspect this might be the case with the GLI because it feels as if it has about 20 more horses than the 210 figure suggests. On top of that, low end torque is plentifully available whenever your right foot desires it. Torque steer is minimal, but noticeable if you really floor it, however other than that, power delivery is quite seamless due in part to my tester’s optional six speed automatic DSG. Shifts are quick and buttery smooth.

My only gripe is, as with all automatic transmissions, the commands are a bit delayed. The transmission is geared for ‘normal’ driving so it very much upshifts as soon as possible in regular automatic mode. It isn’t until you put your foot down when it realizes that you no longer wish to drive ‘normally’. It then takes a moment to examine what gear you’re in and decides if this is the most appropriate gear for you to be in given your sudden need for speed. It will then put you in the gear it thinks you should be in and it will give you a bit more leeway before deciding you need to upshift again. Even though there is no doubt that the gears can shift quicker than any human could, the fact that it needs time to react to any change in driving spiritedness almost negates that advantage. All this is to say that the GLI is one of the few ‘family’ performance cars that still offers a six-speed manual so I would recommend saving yourself over a thousand bucks and do the shifting yourself properly.

When the transmission does eventually realize that you want to have some fun, you are rewarded with one of the gnarliest exhaust notes I’ve heard in a long time. Where did that come from?! Just two years ago the GLI’s exhaust note was non-existent. Now, it has the burble of a Subaru WRX or even a throaty muscle car. That sound is very addictive so unfortunately it causes you to turn off the wonderful sounding stereo and floor it when you otherwise don’t have to. And guess what happens when you do? That’s right, fuel consumption takes a hit.

That said, fuel consumption isn’t too bad. The GLI is officially rated at 9.8 L/100 kms city and 7.4 L/100 kms highway. I managed 9.0 L/100 kms in mostly city driving and, admittedly, with quite a bit of flogging. I would suspect most could do even better since most would likely do more mixed driving.

Handling is noticeable improved as well. The Edition 30 feels both comfortable and capable during hard cornering. It exudes decent confidence to the driver, however if you’re looking for more hardcore handling abilities you’d likely have to look elsewhere. It doesn’t have the same wafty feeling I remember experiencing in the MY2012 I tested, however the GLI’s set up is clearly meant for the odd time you get a boost of testosterone, but is mostly meant to be compliant and comfortable otherwise. Given the GLI’s ability to easily double as a family machine, your significant other will likely appreciate this set up.

And in general, most people should appreciate the GLI. It’s been around for so long and it has clearly proven its worth within the automotive world. But more importantly, this Edition 30 seems to have addressed most – if not all – the criticisms I had against it two years ago. The suspension is tighter, the exhaust note is just plain awesome and it is much more of a looker.

The downside?

Well at my tester’s $35K testing price that puts it smack dab into Subaru WRX territory. There you’ll also find a car that doubles as a family hauler, uses a turbocharged 4-cylinder as well but gets more power, has just as an intoxicating exhaust note, but is much more hardcore in terms of handling and has full-time all-wheel drive. Just about the only disadvantage of the WRX is it isn’t nearly as good looking as the GLI. So when it comes down to it, you would really need to decide if you want a performance car that doubles as a family car or a family car that doubles as a performance car. Either way, you likely won’t be disappointed.