VW Jetta GLI shown in Pure Gray, on the roof of a parking structure with two people in the background. Color adds an additional $395 to price of car.

2022 VW Jetta GLI: 5 ingredients for one spicy sedan

May 17, 2022
5 minute read

The Volkswagen Jetta has been cooking up a unique blend of practicality and driving enjoyment for more than four decades. One Jetta model in particular has always thrown in an extra dash of style and performance: the Jetta GLI.

Now, for 2022, the entire Jetta line gets fresh new design elements and an enhanced driving experience, to go along with the interior roominess, cargo space, and competitive fuel economy Jetta owners have come to expect. The seventh-generation Jetta GLI puts its own twist on this proven recipe, with a variety of aesthetic and performance-oriented upgrades.

The 2022 Jetta GLI is available in one fully loaded Autobahn trim, which includes goodies like DCC^® adaptive chassis control for improved vehicle dynamics; larger front-and-rear vented disc brakes; touch-sensitive steering wheel controls; a premium Beats Audio^® system; 18-inch split 5-spoke alloy wheels; IQ.DRIVE driver assistance technology;^⁠ and wireless App-Connect^⁠ and wireless charging for compatible devices. But that’s just a taste.

Here’s a peek at the five main ingredients that go into this appetizing sport sedan.

VW Jetta GLI in Pure Gray, shown in front three-quarter view. Color adds an additional $395 to price of car.

Closeup of GLI badge on right front fender of VW Jetta GLI in Pure Gray. Color adds an additional $395 to price of car.

Closeup of rear spoiler of VW Jetta GLI in Pure Gray. Color adds an additional $395 to price of car.

Closeup of LED headlight and right front fender of VW Jetta GLI in Pure Gray. Color adds an additional $395 to price of car.

The Look

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI takes on the world with a sharp, refreshed design. The car’s taut, athletic lines converge at a restyled front end, which incorporates a gloss black honeycomb grille pattern, a signature red accent strip along the bumper, and projector LED headlights.

Closeup of 6-speed manual transmission shift knob in a VW Jetta GLI.

The Experience

The heart of the Jetta GLI is the enthusiast-favorite EA888 engine. This 2.0-liter direct-injection TSI® 4-cylinder powerplant delivers 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Combined with a sporty multi-link rear suspension, and either a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic DSG® transmission, the Jetta GLI delivers everyday driving fun in a four-door package.

Closeup of the exhaust outlets and diffuser at the rear bumper of a VW Jetta GLI, shown in Pure Gray. Color adds an additional $395 to price of car.

The Sound

Improved acoustics mean that when the Jetta GLI is in Sport Mode, the exhilarating notes of the EA888 engine amp up within the cabin and boost the adrenaline factor. The new, fuller sound comes purely from mechanical enhancement, not electronic gadgetry. It’s channeled through a pair of new, wider-diameter chrome exhaust outlets which, along with a black honeycomb diffuser, highlight the car’s redesigned rear bumper.

Closeup of the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit Pro display inside a VW Jetta GLI.

The Display

The interior of the Jetta GLI has a clean, modern feel, led by the innovative Volkswagen Digital Cockpit Pro. Standard on the Jetta GLI, the 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro screen is a fully configurable, high-resolution digital information hub for the driver. Choose from an array of viewing options, including car status, driving data, phone information, and driver assistance features.^⁠

Closeup of GLI badge at the bottom of the steering wheel of a VW Jetta GLI.

Closeup of red stitching on the seating surfaces of a VW Jetta GLI.

Closeup of red stitching on the door panel of a VW Jetta GLI.

The Details

Inside the Jetta GLI, the accents really pop. Red contrast stitching appears throughout the cabin, including the perforated-leather seating surfaces, leather-wrapped sport steering wheel, door trim panels, shifter housing, and armrests. The seats also feature a new red-tinted underlay, while a standard 10-color ambient lighting system allows you to bathe the cabin in whichever hue matches your vibe. It’s a sleek, sporty headquarters for exploring the road.

Experience this recipe for driving fun—served up with a whole lot of style—in the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI.

Build your own today.