What good is a Volkswagen if it's not fun to drive? Americans looking for luxury can buy any number of overpriced European models wearing premium badges. People who buy Volkswagens don't care as much about impressing the neighbors as they do having a good time.

Thus, it should surprise no one that Volkswagen is trotting out a hotter version of its completely redesigned bread-and-butter sedan for 2006. The 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI receives minor styling tweaks, a more powerful motor, a slick optional transmission, and other sport-tuned goodies.