asked: I'm car shopping and was curious as to the difference.
What is the difference between a Volkswagen Jetta and a Volkswagen Jetta GLS?
August 26th, 2010 
David asked: I'm car shopping and was curious as to the difference.
August 26th, 2010 David asked: I'm car shopping and was curious as to the difference.
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Volkswagen Specials
It depends upon the year; I realize that you must be talking about an older model, as the new models have “S”, “SE” etc designations for 2010…In general, (IF SOLD IN THE US) the base or GL models, had little or no power accessory equipment, i.e., power windows, cruise control, power seats, sunroof, had steel wheels (instead of alloys) etc. Some later models had power locks as standard on base or GL models (late 90′s models), but otherwise had almost no power equipment available, even as an option. If the model is old enough, even power steering, which has been standard for more than 12 years or so, was unavailable on base or GL models.
All of this changes if you’re talking about a model older than 1999; in some years, the GL model was a mid level model and the base model was just a Jetta. Air conditioning didn’t became standard on Jettas until 1995, prior to that it was optional equipment. Audio features in a base ranged from a AM radio, AM/FM radio, AM/FM cassette radio depending upon year. As late as 2003, the base Jetta still had only a AM/FM cassette unit, GLS models had a cassette/CD player.
Interior trim varied from year to year; in general base models didn’t have a centre console/arm rest/storage compartment. Engines choices were always the smallest engine available, while in some years, the GLS had as many as four engine choices: standard gas 4 cylinder, four cylinder diesel, four cylinder gas turbo, six cylinder VR6 motor… (at least in the US)
Hope this helps, a car nut.