The Volkswagen Jetta drives much like a high-dollar German car costing twice the price. The Jetta is officially a compact car, but compares well to smaller mid-size sedans. It comes in sedan and wagon body styles with a choice of engines. For 2009, the Jetta SportWagen is available, having joined the line of sedans in late summer 2008 as a 2009 model. The SportWagen adds flexibility without a larger footprint or any compromise efficiency. The 2009 Jetta lineup also includes TDI versions of the sedan or wagon, featuring a clean-diesel engine and superior mileage. Electronic stability control and a cold weather package with heated front seats and steering wheel are standard on all 2009 models. All models come with a full array of safety features. The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta lineup features a choice of three engines: a 170-hp 2.5-liter five-cylinder, a turbocharged 2-liter, 200-hp four-cylinder (also found in pricier Audi and VW models) and the 2-liter, 140-hp turbocharged diesel, called the TDI.
EPA figures run from 21 mpg city on the gas engines to 41 mpg highway for the TDI. We found the Jetta responsive around town and comfortable on long trips. It carves through curves precisely, but rides comfortably. Inside, the Jetta is roomy and nicely finished, benefitting from Volkswagen's attention to detail. The driver enjoys excellent visibility and ease of operation, with logical controls and instruments. Finish quality is good, inside and out. The trunk is larger than in many sedans costing much more. The basic warranty has been shortened by a year but now includes all scheduled maintenance; the longer roadside assistance and powertrain warranty periods remain. The Jetta was redesigned and re-engineered from the ground up midway through 2005. It still seems fresh to us, and the wagon model adds an element of flexibility. We find its styling more pleasant than exciting. If you like the idea of a solid four-door and are ready to try some European flavor, the Jetta is the best deal in town.
The Volkswagen Jetta comes as a four-door sedan or SportWagen in one of four trim levels. Both S and SE models use the 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder engine generates 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. 21,349) add alloy wheels, more chrome, a sunroof on sedans, 6CD/MP3/Sirius satellite radio sound system, V-Tex (imitation leather) upholstery and door panel inserts, a rear seat/trunk pass-through and a fold-flat front passenger seat for long items. 21,345) comes with the 200-hp 2.0T engine and six-speed manual or six-speed DSG automatic, essentially with SE content plus 17-inch alloy wheels and dark exterior trim. 25,990) uses the turbocharged 2.0-liter gas engine with six-speed manual or six-speed DSG automatic. Jetta SEL models also get 17-inch alloy wheels, body-color front and rear trim, dual-zone climate control, multifunction steering wheel and trip computer, premium sound, HomeLink, a 115-volt rear outlet, and leather trim for the steering wheel and handbrake. The 2.0T SEL wagon also includes partial leather upholstery, dual exhaust, and a 12-way power driver seat with memory system. 24,590) uses the 2.0T engine and six-speed manual or DSG transmissions, with shift paddles on DSG cars.
Standards include 17-inch alloy wheels and performance tires, AC, highline instrument cluster, Interlagos cloth seats, leather shift and brake handles and multifunction steering wheel, 10-speaker 6CD sound system, and bi-xenon headlamps. 23,590) use six-speed manual or DSG transmissions and are equipped much like SE sedans without a sunroof. 1300 for a diesel Jetta. Safety features that come standard include front airbags, front passenger side-impact airbags for torso protection, and curtain-style airbags for head protection front and rear. Rear side airbags, which are not recommended with child seats and small occupants, are optional. All Jettas have anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), brake assist, traction control (ASR) and electronic stability control. Roadside assistance is included in the Jetta warranty package. The Volkswagen Jetta is a mid-size sedan. It was completely redesigned for the 2005 model year. This current generation is the biggest Jetta ever, labeled a compact but often slots between compact and mid-size offerings from other brands. It's also the heaviest, tipping the scales at 3,200 pounds, but that mass is put to good use with very good structural rigidity, a large trunk, usable rear seat, and safety equipment.
When looking at the Jetta, the eye is immediately drawn to its big, chrome-framed front grille. Chrome is also used in the eyebrows atop the air inlets in the front bumper and, on the SE and SEL, for the side-window surrounds. The next most striking design element is the aggressive thrust and slope of the hood and snout. Compared to other recent nose-forward designs, the Jetta's composite headlights and various inlets and grilles are well integrated into the raked rearward flow of its form. A striking vee, created by the slant of the headlamps and sloping hood lines, is carried strongly toward the rear by the steeply raked windshield and character lines running along the flanks. The tail is a major departure from previous Jetta styling. Larger tail light clusters, now divided between the trunk and rear fender, help widen the proportion of the car's hindquarters in relation to its height, giving it a more substantial, less boxy-looking stern.
