​​Car and Driver Puts the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta GLI to the Test​ 

There is nothing like driving a sporty sedan, especially the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta GLI. The popular Jetta has always been America’s “go-to” German-engineered sedan. When the GLI version came out generations ago, it added more spice to a very comfortable and practical sedan. We saw it as a “Golf GTI with a trunk,” which is essentially what it is. 

The 2026 version is no different. It starts with what’s underneath the hood. The 228-horsepower version of the EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged engine is an icon among sports sedan enthusiasts. With 258 pound-feet of torque on tap, it delivers enthusiastic power takeoff for those blasts across the highway. Accessing the engine’s powerband is a choice of a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission. It is one of the few cars offered with a manual gearbox left in this country.  

Car and Driver recently did a road test in the 2026 Jetta GLI equipped with the DSG gearbox. While it is classified as an automatic, it is engineered as a manual with an automated dual-clutch setup that delivers power from the engine to the front wheels. It does so by assigning a clutch to a specific number of gears – either odd- or even-numbered ones – enabling quick gearchanges without the need for a third clutch pedal. You can engage the paddle shifters on the back of the steering wheel for up- or downshifts for better control of the gearbox.  

Ultimately, a DSG transmission offers the convenience and ease of operation of an automatic transmission with the efficiency of a manual transmission, which makes it a great match for the EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged engine.  

Another great feature of the 2026 Jetta GLI is the MultiMode DCC® – Dynamic Chassis Control – and the Adaptive Chassis Control. Combined, you can select a preset driving mode with its own dampening profile. You can either firm up or soften the suspension settings to suit your driving style. Sport mode is excellent for winding roads, while Comfort lets you cruise on the Interstates for hours on end without any worries. You can also customize your settings by adjusting steering, suspension, throttle, and gearbox response.  

In their testing of the 2026 Jetta GLI with the DSG transmission, Car and Driver found that “the sportiest Jetta is still a great drive. You’ll use everything the GLI has every day. The three-way-adjustable adaptive dampers give it a wonderfully smooth ride on the highway. The electronically controlled limited-slip differential distributes torque where you want it while buzzing up an off-ramp.” 

The 2026 Jetta GLI is available at Sisbarro Volkswagen. Contact us to get acquainted with one soon. After all, the “Driver’s Wanted” sign is calling you to enjoy one! 

Tags: 2026 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, German-engineered, Manual, Sporty Car, Turbocharged
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