2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn - Re-Driven - Stealth in Sedan

ALL THE BAHN BURNING STEALTH YOU MIGHT EVER NEED:  How could Volkswagen possibly improve on an MQB revamped Mk. 7 Jetta GLI hot compact sedan newly introduced last year? Very simply it's been accomplished by fitting DCC variable electronic damping, previously exclusive to last year's 35th Anniversary Edition, to the top trim Autobahn trim. The new found ability to vary ride stiffness in addition to artificially adjusting piped in cabin exhaust sound, and the extravagance of a Digital Cockpit beckons Roadblazing.com editors for a Re-Drive of  "the People's Teutonic Hot Compact Sedan [that] is [a] Autobahn Wolf in Sheep's Clothing."

2020 VW Jetta GLI Autobahn Driving Hits:

• 7-speed DSG automated gearbox cruises smooth, bangs off solid shifts on demand

• Torque spewing latest generation of massaged turbocharged VW EA 888, with little lag
• Soundaktor sport engine sound enhancement at wide open throttle
• 29 combined miles per gallon in a genuine hot sedan
• XDS limited slip front differential
• Makes the 228 horsepower on 87 regular octane gas
• 435 miles fuel tank range
• MQB platform permits tauter body control
• The only way to have an independent rear suspension on a Mk. 7 Jetta
• DCC variable damping ranges from autocross taut to forgiving comfort
• sticky Hankook Ventus Y-speed rated all-season rubber
• Cabin impressively immune to road & drivetrain noise

2020 VW Jetta GLI Autobahn Driving Misses:

• Steering road feel
• More linear steering wind in Sport setting
• Less brake dive
• Soundaktor low speed audio engine sound enhancement brittle and fake

What It Has Got:

• Pricing: from $27,165 (incl. destination) for a 6-speed manual 2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 
  • $119 / horsepower
  • The tested über trim 2020 VW Jetta GLI Autobahn DCT, w 7-speed automated dual clutch transaxle, tops out at $31,665
• Expressive wide hood valleys, eggcrate grille, trapezoid dual exhaust cutouts
• Expanded body coloring and racy red grille stripe and GLI fender emblems

• Accommodates 5 adults & 14 cubic feet of their trunk junk
• Above par standard feature set
  • Power windows, 4 x auto up/ down, power locks, tilt & telescoping steering wheel, air conditioning, rear window defogger, heated side mirrors, auto dimming rear view mirrors, illuminated dual vanity sun visors, overhead retracting sunglasses bin, 2nd Row reading lights
  • 6 speaker, 160W HD radio streaming audio, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink phone projection, Bluetooth, USB-C x 2
• Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink phone projection standard
• Acceptably good safety features & ratings
  • IIHS Good across the board
• Driver assist tech included on lower trims (SE)
  • Collision avoidance pre-braking, blind spot & rear cross traffic warning
• 4 year / 50,000 miles bumper to bumper warranty includes 2 years maintenance

What It Has Not (or Not Preferred):

• No native navigation
• No leather seating
• Seat cushions too firm
• Seat cushions too short
• Fixed rear seat headrests
• No sliding front center armrest
• Apogee of cabin finish austerity
  • Exposed door frames
  • Chintzy appearing standard gauges
  • Lacks base VW Golf's felt lined door pockets and harmonious panel fit
• Infotainment settings and instrument panel illumination locked out when in motion
• Lacks Jetta 1.5T ADAS lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision avoidance, rear cross traffic warning
• 2 years / 22k miles shorter warranty from 2019 MY

NEW to Jetta GLI Autobahn for 2020 MY:

• Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) variable damping suspension formerly exclusive to 2019 35th Anniversary GLI

Standout Cool 2020 JETTA GLI Autobahn Feature(s):

• Digital Cockpit configurable LCD instrument cluster w/ embeddable navigation map
• 9-speaker, 400W Beats audio
• Customizable variable night cabin accent illumination

• Climatronic 2-zone climate control
• Heated & cooled front seats, power driver's adjust w/ 3 position memory

Roadblazing.com Says: Addition of Dynamic Chassis Control is another reason to sing the praises of this Road Wolf Wrapped in Sedan Sheep's Clothing.

2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI - Bottom Line Review

JET STREAM, February 2019: North American meteorologists scurried to plot the Polar Jet Stream, east to west flowing winds at altitudes between 30,000 and 40,000 feet, just below the Northern Hemisphere tropopause, as it rained brutal icy conditions down from the North Pole. JETTA STREAM, February 2019: Volkswagen

RoadBlazingGeorge Straton