9-19-2005
2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Turbo Six-Speed
by Dave Stall
Jetta GLI is one red hot ride

Have you ever jumped behind the wheel of a new car or truck that instantly put a smile on your face, even before you start it up? That's what happened when I visited Classic Volkswagen in the Escondido Auto Park and Sales Manger Frank Martinez threw me the keys to a red hot Jetta GLI.

Jetta calls this red-hot color  "Salsa Red" and it couldn't get any redder. Add Anthracite leather and you're ready for the road. The Jetta GLI comes with a six-speed manual transmission (I didn't even have to beg for a stick shift) and under the hood is a 2.0-liter, 200 horsepowered with 207 pound foot of torque with the help of a turbocharger. It's still front-wheel drive, but a blast to drive.

Why would sitting behind the wheel of any car or truck put a smile on your face? Let's start with the seats that literally wrap around you to give great side support and are still very comfortable. You can tell by the seats you're in for a great ride and the Jetta didn't fail the test. If you drive conservatively, you can get 24 miles per gallon in the city and 32 miles per gallon on the freeway.

Special no-cost features added to the Jetta by Volkswagen include 17-inch alloy wheels with anti-theft wheel locks, in-dash six-disc CD changer with MP3 format readable, calipers painted red, and an anti-theft alarm system for the vehicle and radio as well as an immobilizer for the engine.

The Jetta comes as well equipped as I need a vehicle to be. OK, the seats adjust manually, but you can flip and fold to create a flat loading surface out of the front passenger seat. Plus, backseat riders get an armrest with storage and a place to write notes.

The '06 Jetta is for the sport-minded driver - as in someone who likes to challenge the road. The Jetta is set up for that task with electro-mechanical power steering, independent sport front suspension, multi-link independent sport rear suspension, electronic stabilization program, anti-slip regulation (ASR), electronic differential lock (EDL) and ABS braking - all sitting on 225/45R17H summer performance tires.

If you're more into a comfortable, 10-mile per hour commute, the Jetta can handle that task as well. That's because it has comfortable seating, blue/red instrumentation lighting for nighttime driving, A/C plus a filtration system, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel with a Formula One cut to it and an alloy interior trim to the pedals. It also boasts power windows with "pinch" protection, power-heated outside mirrors, height adjustable and telescoping steering wheel, a center armrest that slides front to rear (although if you slide the armrest all the way to the front, it makes it difficult to engage the center hand brake), front and rear reading lights, and cup holders. These are just a few of the standard features found in the '06 VW Jetta GLI.

There is an option list you may or may not want but I found the options a nice addition. Volkswagen's Package 2 includes a power sunroof, Sirius satellite radio, dual zone climatronic top sport seats with leather surfaces and a cold weather package.

Volkswagen is right at the top when it comes to protecting its passengers. The driver and front passenger get front and side airbags, side curtain airbags for maximum head protection front to rear, three-point seat belts for all occupants, lower anchor and tethers for child seats and child safety rear door locks. It also has Bi-xeon headlights with washers, daytime running lights, fog lights, height adjustable front seatbelts, adjustable active front seat head restraints, side protection beams in the doors and crumple zones to protect occupants during a crash.

I can go on and on about this car. I like the performance, its looks (although that took awhile), fuel mileage and comfort. All of this comes in at the low $20,000s, so stop by Classic Volkswagen and ask for Martinez. Have him show you my test car!