That was stupid. Not comparing apples to apples, a base GLI and a loaded up GTI.
My car has active dampers, leather power seats, a sunroof, display screen instead of analogue gauges, and the same infotainment as the GTI. And it was cheaper than the GTI.
That extra 150lbs buys a much roomier back seat, a big trunk, and a quieter interior at the expense of a couple of ticks in the 0-60 time.
The GLI isn't quite as nimble, it doesn't get the plaid cloth seats, or the golfball shifter.