The DSG is good and bad. Good in the sense that it is so responsive shifts so crisply and smoothly that, when in automatic mode, it actually makes a better automatic transmission than VW's own Tiptronic autobox. Bad because it is so sharp and rewarding that all the driver (I) want to do is punch it! The noise it makes and the fact that the engine is blipped on a downshift make me smile and want to do it over and over again.

The GLI's interior is all business.

Premium trimmings
The Jetta's inner lair rivals almost any car twice its asking price. In its simplicity, there is beauty. The dashboard is ergonomically laid out and fashionable looking. As expected, the plastics and other interior materials are top-drawer to say the least. Best of all, the front seats; they are extremely supportive, comfortable and thanks to their multiple adjustments, will accommodate almost any type of driving position.

The GLI may be a dedicated compact performance sedan however versatility has not been overlooked; the trunk is huge. I was able to stuff four 15" wheels with tires in the cargo area with room to spare. The rear seats, also very inviting, can take on two adults with ease for a very long trip.

Can you handle it?
The aforementioned delicious powertrain is wisely matched to a chassis and suspension setup that is conceivably the most competent this side of the BMW 3-Series. The independent sport-tuned suspension offers impressive body-movement control; not once did the GLI feels out of sorts. The beauty here is that the onboard passengers are not punished by any compromises. This is truly an impressive handling package.

The speed-sensitive electric power assisted steering never once give off any artificial feedback; at all times, the communication between the driver and the road was perfect and crystal-clear. The dark side to the GLI is its brakes; the pedal was unpleasantly mushy and unresponsive. My tester had close to 7,000 km on the odometer and it was quite clear that the stopping system needed some refurbishing. Granted, press cars are "tested" but a GLI is must perform up to snuff. A tip to anyone wanting to buy on a GLI: purchase an aftermarket brake kit if you plan on doing any type of performance driving, you shall not regret it.

The GLI is not only sporty, it has plenty of trunk.