2009 Volkswagen GLI

With the subtle upgrades the Volkswagen GTI saw for 2010, I was expecting a little more from the Jetta GLI. The GLI may sound like a sedan version of the hot GTI, but it's saddled with the Jetta's rather squishy suspension and brakes. I still love any VW/Audi car powered by the 2.0T engine, although my love isn't quite as strong when the rest of the vehicle doesn't live up to what the engine can do. I suppose that the softer suspension widens the appeal of a car like the GLI, which would otherwise sell in even lower numbers than it already does. VW also has a strong aftermarket following, so it isn't unreasonable to assume there's a suspension kit that can be ordered to improve the car's handling with relative ease. I was most impressed by Volkswagen's new navigation unit. The display is very crisp and the font looks quite modern, which is a huge contrast to the rather cheap-looking standard radio we had in our Four Seasons Jetta TDI. The GLI's unit can also give warnings about congested roadways, but the warnings it gave me didn't make much sense, as traffic was still moving around 80 mph where it indicated congestion. Phil Floraday, Senior Online Editor