First Drive: 2022 Volkswagen Jetta and GLI

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Volkswagen’s Jetta is currently the brand’s oldest nameplate, Patrick Danielson, Director of Product Planning at Volkswagen Group Canada Inc., explained to me, and it’s the most well-known. Danielson said 97 per cent of people can tell you who makes the Jetta; but there are many people who don’t know who makes the Atlas, despite its larger sales numbers.

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As more and more families and individuals of all ages are buying SUVs, though, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to spot a sedan on a driveway. Volkswagen is trying to change that trend with its refreshed 2022 Jetta and GLI. And what better time to make that change than when gas prices are through the roof and electric SUVs are either expensive or hard to find due to supply shortages and long wait times? 

Easier said than done when there’s still a ton of competition in the sedan market. The Honda Civic — Canada’s number one sedan for 24 consecutive years — is the Jetta’s top competitor, in addition to others like the Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra, and Nissan Sentra. However, according to VW, buyers also tend to cross-shop within the brand itself; the Golf and Tiguan are also major competition for the Jetta.

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The refreshed 2022 Jetta features new technology, as well as some exterior styling updates — new front and rear bumpers — and a driver-focused interior that includes a new standard digital cockpit, though it will continue to draw inspiration from the classic lines that the Jetta has sported since 1980, when it first debuted. 

As reported back in December, the value-oriented Jetta comes in three trims — Trendline, Comfortline, and Highline — starting at $22,895. The mid Comfortline trim is available with a new Sport package ($1,400) that features an updated appearance and enhanced creature comforts. The sportier GLI comes in one fully-loaded trim offered in either manual for $33,295; or automatic for an additional $1,400 — “a performance car bargain,” says Danielson.

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New for 2022, the Jetta gets a 1.5L turbocharged and direct-injection EA211 engine — the same as the one found in the Taos — that makes 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The GLI will continue to receive the 2.0L EA888 engine, producing 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. 

A six-speed manual transmission is standard on both the Jetta (with the exception of the Highline, only offered with the automatic transmission) and GLI, and an eight-speed automatic is offered for the Jetta and a seven-speed automatic DSG with Tiptronic is available for the GLI.

The new Jetta also boasts improved fuel economy. Danielson joked that owners can “drive it like an animal” and still get good fuel economy. For the manual transmission, it has a combined fuel economy of 6.9 L/100 km, 8.0 city, and 5.5 highway. The automatic transmission has a combined rating of 6.8 L/100 km, 7.7 city, 5.7 highway.

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Truth be told, I drive sedans very often. With three small kids, it’s tough to fit three car seats side by side in most compact SUVs, much less sedans — there’s no way my family of five would comfortably fit into this car, at least not at this moment, or not all at the same time. However, there is a time and place for this vehicle, in the past, present, and future, for myself and other families of all sizes. For smaller families (like mine, once upon a time) it’s definitely an option, and can easily fit two large car seats in the outboard seats.

For growing families, it could also make a great second vehicle, used for grocery runs or zipping around town doing extra-curricular activities. If you’re lucky enough, it’s awesome for solo drives where you can blast whatever song you want, or sit in complete silence. The 399 litres in the trunk may not sound like a ton of room on paper, but it’s wide and offers far more usable space than in much bigger SUVs.

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The automatic Jetta drives smoothly on highways and city roads, and if you’re used to driving bigger vehicles, you’ll be pleasantly satisfied with the lighter drive and easy-to-maneuver feel of the Jetta as it quickly zips around corners and swiftly gets up to highway speeds. On the inside, the driver’s seat is comfortable for long trips, and the Vulcano Brown seats really popped, especially against the muted exterior colours (though it is offered in brighter colours such as Rising Blue and Kings Red).

The manual GLI is an awesome option, especially for those learning to drive standard. The digital gauge cluster displays a notification to let the driver know which gear would be optimal, given the current speed. The 2022 GLI also gets a new honeycomb-pattern front grille, standard 18-inch wheels, and matching elements throughout the vehicle, such as a new shifter design with red accents, stainless pedal caps, and illuminated door sills. Plus, check out the new steering wheel that’s shared with the all-new Mk8 GTI.

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Personally, I’m thrilled the Jetta hasn’t made the complete switch to all touchscreen options, much like the 2022 Golf GTI. However, there was a time when I had written off touchscreen cell phones, and today, those are difficult to find — so, I guess it wouldn’t be all bad if the Jetta made the switch, eventually. 

While the economy and infrastructure try to keep up with the market’s hopes of going completely green in the near future, there are still fuel-efficient options, and the 2022 VW Jetta is a great place to start, especially if you’re on team #savethemanuals. Whether you’re looking for value in the Jetta or some added sportiness from the GLI, there’s a bit of something for everyone in this lineup.

VW believes there’s still a place in this market for sedans, but brand loyalty also goes a long way. The company will likely attract younger shoppers with the price point of this vehicle — though the statistics show an oddly high income average for Jetta owners — and Danielson noted that VW hopes to retain those same customers who may expand their families or businesses in the future; those same customers may one day be in need of a larger vehicle and hopefully, they’ll be more inclined to purchase a VW SUV.