Often referred to solely as the GLI, this Jetta variant is the four-door sedan equivalent to the GTI performance hatchback. The trim level was introduced as a 2006 car, roughly a year after the Mark V Jetta first appeared partway through its 2005 model cycle.

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The GLI is the most powerful Jetta available and comes with the GTI's in-line, 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine turbocharged to 200 horsepower. Like its more compact counterpart, the GLI has a relatively wide torque band and pushes out its full 207 pound-feet of torque between 1,800 and 5,000 rpm -- though as with the hatchback, the full horsepower only comes into play between 5,100 and 6,000 rpm. This engine is also shared with the base Audi A3 and TT.

Transmission options are also upgraded from the standard Jetta. A six-speed manual transmission replaces the five-speed of the ordinary car. In a more substantial upgrade, the Tiptronic six-speed automatic is replaced with a Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) that effectively eliminates the shift lag common to automatics with a dual-clutch system; one clutch holds the current gear while the other is always ready to take the next gear.

2008 trim levels

For 2008, very little is changed from the 2007 model, which in spite of naming schemes is effectively a top tier for the Jetta.

Every GLI includes 17-inch alloy wheels, high-intensity discharge headlamps, and a six-CD stereo system. Options are chiefly limited to a DVD navigation system, improved speakers, and body kits.

Volkswagen offers just one special trim level for the GLI which is shared with the GTI: the Autobahn Package. Choosing this option adds a powered sunroof, the premium sound system, and new part-leather sport seats. Heated front seats and washer nozzles are also part of the expansion.