2020 VW GLI review by Throttle House

Falafel Combo · 04-17-2019, 01:02 PM

Upset that you can't buy a MY2019 or MY2020 four door BMW with a manual transmission? VW might have the answer!

I am a huge fan of GTI's and have had two of them myself, so the fact that journalists are drooling over the new GLI comes as no surprise.

alex2364 · 04-17-2019, 01:14 PM

I'd rather a get a base Genesis G70 in MT with a proper RWD setup.

Falafel Combo · 04-17-2019, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex2364

I'd rather a get a base Genesis G70 in MT with a proper RWD setup.

Good point Alex! I've never had a Hyundai nor have I driven a Genesis so I can not really say anything about that. I hear great things from the reviewers though!

Cortexiphan · 04-17-2019, 01:37 PM

Except that it's not a 330i.

Falafel Combo · 04-17-2019, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cortexiphan

Except that it's not a 330i.

I would take a 6MT GLI/GTI over an automatic 330i. But of course, to each their own.

MmmmmM2 · 04-17-2019, 02:45 PM

Ummmm...That's FWD. Pass.

Sportstick · 04-17-2019, 02:58 PM

Anything from VWAG from VW to Audi? Never again! Not after the last experience with quality and customer care. I no longer care about their products...not a nickle to them ever...for anything.

Cortexiphan · 04-17-2019, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falafel Combo

I would take a 6MT GLI/GTI over an automatic 330i. But of course, to each their own.

Sure, if manual matters more than:

engine, performance, efficiency, comfort, suspension, design, transmission, weight balance, tech, quality, reliability, customer support, brand, resale, and proper RWD or RWD biased AWD

then this VW is a great option.

I think there is also a Kia Soul with manual.

Red Bread · 04-17-2019, 04:15 PM

The current Jetta just looks awful though. Interior is poor too.

I like my GTI, but sedans are sad.

Dog Face Pony Soldier · 04-17-2019, 04:38 PM

Just saw this one today at the NY Auto Show.

Falafel Combo · 04-17-2019, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Anything from VWAG from VW to Audi? Never again! Not after the last experience with quality and customer care. I no longer care about their products...not a nickle to them ever...for anything.

Wow, sorry to hear about that!

Falafel Combo · 04-17-2019, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glennQNYC

Just saw this one today at the NY Auto Show.

Yeah, some don't like the design. Well ... I don't like the g20 design either, so?

I honestly like the Jetta. It's just a tad too big if anything!

Just another manual option folks. I would go for it if I needed a sedan.

Falafel Combo · 04-17-2019, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cortexiphan

Sure, if manual matters more than:

engine, performance, efficiency, comfort, suspension, design, transmission, weight balance, tech, quality, reliability, customer support, brand, resale, and proper RWD or RWD biased AWD

then this VW is a great option.

I think there is also a Kia Soul with manual.

I don't know man. It's a pretty decent compromise. I've had two GTI's myself (MK6 and 7) back to back with my M3's and I'd buy a 3rd one if I could. They are fun as hell and very well built, in my experience. A manual is like the cherry on top. I've had a DSG GTI as well and it was wicked fun!

Red Bread · 04-17-2019, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falafel Combo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cortexiphan

Sure, if manual matters more than:

engine, performance, efficiency, comfort, suspension, design, transmission, weight balance, tech, quality, reliability, customer support, brand, resale, and proper RWD or RWD biased AWD

then this VW is a great option.

I think there is also a Kia Soul with manual.

I don't know man. It's a pretty decent compromise. I've had two GTI's myself (MK6 and 7) back to back with my M3's and I'd buy a 3rd one if I could. They are fun as hell and very well built, in my experience. A manual is like the cherry on top. I've had a DSG GTI as well and it was wicked fun!

Yeah, there's some blind hate for anything fwd. for three years we had an F30 and a GTI in the garage and I drove the F30 less than a handful of times.

Falafel Combo · 04-17-2019, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Yeah, there's some blind hate for anything fwd. for three years we had an F30 and a GTI in the garage and I drove the F30 less than a handful of times.

Absolutely!! I love the f30 as well, but the GTI is just more childish and engaging since it is a smaller car with a lower center of gravity.

As an enthusiast (and manual transmission lover), I can not help but feel fortunate to have the Jetta GLI with a manual as an option to pick from. I feel after BMW turned their backs on us and left us out in the cold, VW is greeting us back with a warm cup of hot chocolate and fuzzy slippers.

It's one thing to offer a manual at all on the GLI, its an entirely different matter for it to be as competent as it's (much smaller) sibling, the GTI. That's an awesome effort!

Red Bread · 04-17-2019, 05:38 PM

Well there was the scare that the Mk8 would be 48v and they'd kill the manual, but for now at least, it appears they'll still have it.

PKL · 04-17-2019, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F30ZHP

Ummmm...That's FWD. Pass.

+1 billion

Sportstick · 04-17-2019, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falafel Combo

I would go for it if I needed a sedan.

Here's a much more preferable choice, to buy, to drive, to live with, to service, and to be helped by the manufacturer if the need arises (less likely, of course!)

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...l-test-review/

Z K · 04-17-2019, 07:54 PM

I had a last generation GLI and I enjoyed it.

I thought about this GLI, but ended up purchasing a CPO 2016 328i with 10k miles for $21k last week. Less expensive and more fun.. not manual though.

I have the M3 6MT for weekend fun so I don't need manual for a DD.

MT4life · 04-17-2019, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F30ZHP

Ummmm...That's FWD. Pass.

+1 And it’s VAG product. Double no thank you

Dog Face Pony Soldier · 04-17-2019, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glennQNYC

Just saw this one today at the NY Auto Show.

I want to like the GLI but it isn't easy. First- the rear view just isn't attractive to my eye. Also- the interior has much broader use of hard plastics than competitors even a class below. The other thing that struck me today is the lack of side bolstering in the seats. I really don't think the GLI is in contention for me. I think I'd rather own an Acura TLX... of course I'd have to drive them both first.

c1pher · 04-17-2019, 11:00 PM

It’s at a compelling price point but there are a lot of options there. I would prefer an actual GTI over the GLI. I have it stuck in my head that the GLI is for someone who wanted a GTI but needs to blend in even more than a GTI does.

I’d buy a used S3 if I wanted a sedan or spring for a Golf R....at least they have AWD.

04-17-2019, 01:02 PM	#1
Falafel Combo Banned 3802 Rep 6,673 Posts Drives: X5 xDrive50i Join Date: May 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (3)	2020 VW GLI review by Throttle House Upset that you can't buy a MY2019 or MY2020 four door BMW with a manual transmission? VW might have the answer! I am a huge fan of GTI's and have had two of them myself, so the fact that journalists are drooling over the new GLI comes as no surprise.
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04-17-2019, 01:14 PM	#2
alex2364 Brigadier General 3548 Rep 3,053 Posts Drives: 2020 M4 ZCP / 2023 X3 M40i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2020 BMW M4 [10.00] 2023 BMW X3 M40i [9.75]	I'd rather a get a base Genesis G70 in MT with a proper RWD setup.
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04-17-2019, 01:37 PM	#4
Cortexiphan Major 2416 Rep 1,336 Posts Drives: 2024 BMW iX Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	Except that it's not a 330i. __________________ E92 ///M3 F82 ///M4 G30 540i ///Msport G20 ///M340i i20 iX xDrive50
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04-17-2019, 02:45 PM	#6
MmmmmM2 Colonel 2645 Rep 2,450 Posts Drives: 2021 M2C Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Claremont, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 Mazda CX-5 [0.00] 2021 BMW M2C [0.00]	Ummmm...That's FWD. Pass.
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04-17-2019, 02:58 PM	#7
Sportstick Major General 5523 Rep 6,682 Posts Drives: '15 228i and '24 X3 sDrive30i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Southwest USA iTrader: (0)	Anything from VWAG from VW to Audi? Never again! Not after the last experience with quality and customer care. I no longer care about their products...not a nickle to them ever...for anything. __________________ 2015 228i 6MT/Track Handling/Tech/Cold/Premium/Lighting/Driver Assistance/KCDesign Strut Brace/M2 LCA&Tension Strut w/Powerflex Bushings/Rogue SSK/BBS SR/PS4S/ER Chargepipe/AA Intercooler/Dinan Shockware/MPerf Spoiler/Black Grilles/Xpel Ultimate PPF & Prime XR+ Tint/no CDV 2024 X3 sDrive30i/MSport/Premium/Dynamic Handling/Shadowline/Parking/Xpel Prime XR Plus
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04-17-2019, 04:15 PM	#9
Red Bread Major General 4354 Rep 9,136 Posts Drives: Smog machines Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	The current Jetta just looks awful though. Interior is poor too. I like my GTI, but sedans are sad.
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04-17-2019, 04:38 PM	#10
Dog Face Pony Soldier 2006 TIME Person Of The Year 9664 Rep 6,445 Posts Drives: M Sport 335i Join Date: May 2013 Location: North Jersey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 335i [9.74]	Just saw this one today at the NY Auto Show. Attached Images __________________
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04-17-2019, 05:38 PM	#16
Red Bread Major General 4354 Rep 9,136 Posts Drives: Smog machines Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Well there was the scare that the Mk8 would be 48v and they'd kill the manual, but for now at least, it appears they'll still have it.
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04-17-2019, 07:54 PM	#19
Z K Major General 1921 Rep 5,517 Posts Drives: G20 M340i, S15 Silvia Spec R Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (3)	I had a last generation GLI and I enjoyed it. I thought about this GLI, but ended up purchasing a CPO 2016 328i with 10k miles for $21k last week. Less expensive and more fun.. not manual though. I have the M3 6MT for weekend fun so I don't need manual for a DD. __________________ Auto Detailing Enthusiast!
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04-17-2019, 11:00 PM	#22
c1pher Primo Generalissimo 5071 Rep 4,221 Posts Drives: All of them Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: DC area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 Ford Bronco Ra ... [10.00] 2018 Porsche 911 GTS [10.00] 2023 BMW M2 [9.25] 2022 Ford F-250 Tremor [8.50]	It’s at a compelling price point but there are a lot of options there. I would prefer an actual GTI over the GLI. I have it stuck in my head that the GLI is for someone who wanted a GTI but needs to blend in even more than a GTI does. I’d buy a used S3 if I wanted a sedan or spring for a Golf R....at least they have AWD.
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