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2019 VW Jetta GLI Drag Races Golf GTI: Same Engine, Different Performance

This one is going to upset people in both camps, but we just had to share the first-ever drag race between the new Jetta GLI and its older sister, the Golf GTI.
2019 VW Jetta GLI Drag Races Golf GTI: Same Engine, Different Performance 3 photos
Photo: YouTube screenshot/The Fast Lane Car
2019 VW Jetta GLI Drag Races Golf GTI: Same Engine, Different Performance2019 VW Jetta GLI Drag Races Golf GTI: Same Engine, Different Performance
As you may have heard, the Jetta GLI is all-new from the ground up, based on a Jetta compact sedan that's now exclusive to the America market. Volkswagen can't invoke European heritage with this one, but it's kept all the things that make it great.

Under the hood, you will find the same 2-liter turbo as in the Golf GTI, making 228 horsepower and ample torque. But as TFL Car points out, the Jetta is heavier by about 150 kilograms. That's because it's got a full trunk and 2 inches of extra wheelbase.

The hot hatch feels more feisty too, plus it seems to have better tires, which must have played a big part in the drag race victory. That's right; the Golf GTI is still faster, even though it's based on really old technology.

There a difference between the character of these two cars. The Golf is nimble and eager to change direction while the Jetta feels stable on the highway. But is that enough to justify a price difference of about $6,800? With these particular cars, it's more like $9,000, as the GTI has full leather electric seats and a superior screen.

Both cars are made in Mexico, so it's more of an intentional move from Volkswagen of America, and we think it's a smart one. The Jetta GLI is now a bargain, packing an engine that's visibly bigger and more powerful than its rivals. Meanwhile, the GTI will continue to struggle with it being a hatchback in an unfriendly land.

SO which one would you have, the cheap sedan or the hatchback with more heritage but which costs noticeably more?

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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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