Not too long ago, driving a small car in America meant sacrificing something: performance, luxury, features, quality, or the prestige that comes from a bigger nameplate. But over the years, European brands have hammered the point home to U.S. 鈥?bigger isn鈥檛 always better. After all, wouldn鈥檛 you really rather have a 3-Series or a C-Class? Americans get the point. We鈥檙e rediscovering small cars with a voracious appetite, if sales are any clue. Buyers are realizing all over again that they can have the same level of refinement and luxury as large cars without the parking-lot problems and fuel-sucking issues. The Volkswagen Jetta is one of those cars that鈥檚 drilled small-car goodness into our heads. It鈥檚 a paradigm of this new breed of small cars, one that handles and performs and leaves some change in your wallet to boot. Unless you鈥檙e absolutely itching for the VR6 badge, we recommend the 1.8T. The Jetta 1.8T鈥檚 150-hp, 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is ideally suited to the Jetta, and it works well with either the five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.
In contrast to the 1.8T, the economical 115-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine just doesn鈥檛 give the Jetta enough thrust (especially with automatic), and the 174-hp, 2.8-liter VR6 engine remains a smooth and powerful, though more expensive and thirsty, option. The VR6 doesn鈥檛 have a lot of low-rpm torque anyway, so the robust 1.8T feels nearly as strong in normal driving. The 1.8T鈥檚 torque curve says it all. While the peak power of 150 hp is made at a high 5700 rpm, the peak torque of 155 lb-ft is achieved at a low 1950 rpm and maintained up to 4500 rpm, giving the 1.8T an uncommon robustness. The powerplant feels especially responsive in the midrange revs: It鈥檚 a heavy breather with the help of a low-boost turbocharger and five valves per cylinder. The 1.8T鈥檚 power is always accessible with a stomp of the right foot. There鈥檚 a very slight lag at lower revs, but it鈥檚 barely noticeable and unlike the harsh on/off boost of high-boost turbos.
What is the base engine size of the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan? The 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan has a 2.0 L base engine size. What is the base engine size of the 2012 Volkswagen Passat? The 2012 Volkswagen Passat has a 2.5 L base engine size. What is the base engine size of the 2012 Volkswagen Golf-R? The 2012 Volkswagen Golf-R has a 2.0 L base engine size. What is the wheel base of the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta? The 2003 Volkswagen Jetta has a 8 ft. 2.9 in. (98.9 in.) wheel base. What is the wheel base of the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta? The 2014 Volkswagen Jetta has a 8 ft. 8.4 in. (104.4 in.) wheel base. What is the wheel base of the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta? The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta has a 8 ft. 5.5 in. (101.5 in.) wheel base. What is the wheel base of the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta? The 2006 Volkswagen Jetta has a 8 ft.
5.5 in. (101.5 in.) wheel base. What is the wheel base of the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta? The 2002 Volkswagen Jetta has a 8 ft. 2.9 in. (98.9 in.) wheel base. What is the wheel base of the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta? The 2001 Volkswagen Jetta has a 8 ft. 2.9 in. (98.9 in.) wheel base. What is the wheel base of the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta-GLI? The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta-GLI has a 8 ft. 8.4 in. (104.4 in.) wheel base. What is the wheel base of the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta-Hybrid? The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta-Hybrid has a 8 ft. 8.4 in. (104.4 in.) wheel base. What is the wheel base of the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta-Sportwagen? The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta-Sportwagen has a 8 ft. 5.5 in. (101.5 in.) wheel base. What is the wheel base of the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta-Hybrid? The 2014 Volkswagen Jetta-Hybrid has a 8 ft. 8.4 in. (104.4 in.) wheel base.
What is the wheel base of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta-Sportwagen? The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta-Sportwagen has a 8 ft. 5.5 in. (101.5 in.) wheel base. What is the wheel base of the 2005 VW Jetta? The 2005 Volkswagen Jetta has a 8 ft. 2.9 in. (98.9 in.) wheel base. What is the wheel base of the 2010 VW Jetta? The 2010 Volkswagen Jetta has a 8 ft. 5.5 in. (101.5 in.) wheel base. What is the wheel base of the 2008 VW Jetta? The 2008 Volkswagen Jetta has a 8 ft. 5.5 in. (101.5 in.) wheel base. What is the wheel base of the 2004 VW Jetta? The 2004 Volkswagen Jetta has a 8 ft. 2.9 in. (98.9 in.) wheel base. What is the wheel base of the 2013 VW Jetta? The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta has a 8 ft. 8.4 in. (104.4 in.) wheel base. What is the wheel base of the 2011 VW Jetta? The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta has a 8 ft. 8.4 in. (104.4 in.) wheel base. What is the wheel base of the 2007 VW Jetta? The 2007 Volkswagen Jetta has a 8 ft. 5.5 in. (101.5 in.) wheel base.
