2011 Volkswagen Jetta Reviews

Graham Smith reviews the 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 VW Jetta as a used buy. A three-box version of the Golf, the Jetta is best driven with a clutch pedal. New VW cashed in on the soaring popularity of the Golf by adding a bootlid and rear window in 2006 and calling the variant the Jetta. For all intents and

Graham Smith road tests and reviews the used Volkswagen Jetta 2009 - 2011.

Volkswagen Golf, a solid and sensible German car, is a major player in the European car market and in the last decade has made its mark in Australia as well.Those who need a practical car, but who enjoy driving will find the Golf goes a long way towards meeting each of these conflicting needs. Golf is a pleasant car to drive with good handing and sharp steering feel to let you get involved in what the car is doing, and with plenty of road grip even when pushed hard.These cars remain comfortable even on rough bush roads, though they are more at home in the suburbs than the far outback. These days Golf is a medium-sized car, having grown in size over the years, mainly to provide the extra space needed for occupant crash protection.There's some more interior room as well. In Europe, Golf is often seen as a full-sized car and it’s not unusual to see them carting four large adults about.Aussies tend to regard them more as transport for a family with preteen children, but if you live in an inner city area in Melbourne of Sydney you may need nothing more than a Volkswagen Golf to fill all your motoring needs.Golf is sold as a three- or five-door door hatchback. A ‘Golf’ four-door sedan was called the Bora from 1999 until the launch of the fifth generation model in 2005, when it was renamed Jetta. Boot space is substantially better than in the hatches and the four-door models are certainly worth consideration.VW Golf Cabriolet was sold until 2003. It has good roll-over protection for an open-top car and still offers a reasonable amount of space in the back seat. Access to the boot is difficult due to the odd location of the hinges. The Cabriolet was replaced by the New Beetle Cabriolet, but in a surprise move, VW reintroduced the Golf Cabriolet in 2012.Engines come in various guises: petrol and diesel; with four-, five- and six-cylinder units. Four-cylinder petrol engines are the most common, coming in capacities of 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 litres. The 1.6 will suit most drivers, but those who like to drive hard may find it a bit dull. The 1.4-litre is a brilliant, relatively recent, design and the little turbo unit provides performance with economy.Volkswagen in Australia started a big push in the diesel field several years ago and these engines are now far more common than in the past. With capacities of 1.6, 1.9 and 2.0 litres they provide plenty of grunt and turbo lag isn’t too bad.Those who enjoy a really good drive should consider the VW Golf GTi. A fun machine for the keen driver, it’s rapidly becoming regarded as a classic in the Australian hot-hatch market.Then there's the Golf R range of extreme hotshots. These traditionally had a large V6 engine – 3.2 litres in a smallish car gives plenty of performance. These are tagged as Golf R32. The latest model, launched in 2011, takes a different tack, going for 2.0 litres and a high-pressure turbo. Disguising the smaller size of the engine is the change of name to simply Golf R.Six-speed manuals arrived with the fifth-generation Golfs in 2004 and are popular on the used scene. The DSG gearbox, also launched in 2004, is a self-shifting manual gearbox. It provides far better performance than the old-style four-speed automatics used until 2004.This VW is a relatively easy car to work on and spare parts are not overly expensive. The dealer network has expanded from a low point during the mid-1990s and nowadays we hear very few complaints about parts availability or servicing.Insurance charges are about average for an imported European vehicle on most Golf and Jetta models. The high-performance Golf GTi may attract higher premiums, the Golf R32 and Golf R almost certainly will.Interiors generally stand up well, but some older Golfs that have been kept in the open continuously may suffer from sun-dried dashboard tops. Feel and look for uneven tyre wear, particularly on the front wheels.Look for scrapes on the bottom edges of the front mudflaps, they will often drag on the ground if the car has been cornered hard. New mudflaps could be a suspicious sign. Engines should start quickly. Listen for untoward engine noises, especially when it’s cold.Look for smoke from the exhaust when the engine is driven hard, particularly on long uphill runs. Make sure a manual gearbox doesn’t crunch on fast downchanges.Check that dual-clutch transmissions are positive in their shifts and don't hesitate too much at very low speeds. Be sure the brakes pull the car up evenly. If ABS is fitted you should feel a pulsing through the pedal during hard stops.Rust isn’t common in Golfs and is more likely to be the result of bad crash repairs than vehicle design. If you do come across any have the car inspected professionally or pass it up for another one.If there’s a problem in a used car get it fixed before you buy it. Don’t fall for the sales persons’ trick of saying you can bring it back later and everything will be sorted out then. It can be a lot harder then...

GTI, R, even a GT - all hot little numbers from the Volkswagen hatchback range, worthy pocket rockets guaranteed to elicit foolish grins. But what of those looking to fly under the radar - here's VW's solution, the conservatively-styled Jetta 147 Highline sedan, that can negotiate suburbia surreptitiously or be indulged in less mundane motoring. In many ways the GTI has been morphed into TSI, but with a boot.VALUEThe Highline range-topper is a six-speed DSG-only proposition that is keenly priced at $37,990, down by $1000 compared to the slightly-heavier heavier outgoing model. The features list is well-stocked for the money, with automatic halogen (but not xenons of any sort) headlights, with washers and accompanied by front fog lights with cornering lights.There's also 17in alloy wheels, controlled by sports suspension (with a 15mm lower ride height), cruise control, leather trim, heated front sports seats (with neat little storage space within), a touchscreen-operated satnav and sound system with SD slot, CD stacker, Bluetooth audio and phone link, wheel-mounted controls for the sound system, phone and trip computer, heat-insulated glass and rear vents among the features list.TECHNOLOGYWhat better place to start than the heart of the Clayton's GTI sedan - the two-litre turbocharged and intercooled direct-injection double overhead cam four-cylinder engine. Pumping out 147kW at a leisurely 5100rpm and 280Nm from 1700rpm, the power number might be unchanged compared to the outgoing model and 8kW down on the $5000 more-expensive GTI hatch, but it's still no slouch away from the line and would only be a whisker behind the13kg lighter hot hatch sibling.Claimed fuel use of 7.9 litres per 100km from the flexible little engine, teamed with a six-speed twin-clutch automated manual, belies the feisty and flexible nature - VW says 100km/h comes up in 7.5 seconds and that's not hard to believe.DESIGNSharp, clean, conservative - Volkswagen's new medium car is hardly adventurous on the outside, with strong but straight lines and conventional styling front and rear. Body-coloured mirrors, bumpers and handles, dual chrome-tipped exhaust - it's a clean-cut look but aesthetics that don't put it on the cutting edge of design. The new model is 4744mm long, an increase of 190mm over the old car, 55mm of which is in the wheelbase.The cabin follows the same path - function over form for the most part, but plenty of storage space, ample passenger space (four adults are easily accommodated) and a large 510-litre boot (even when a full-size spare is on board) will swallow a boatload of luggage. You'd have to think long and hard before heading up to a Passat.SAFETYThe new Jetta scores a five-star Euro NCAP rating and is equipped with six airbags as standard (dual front and front-side, full-length side-curtain airbags), as well as traction and stability control (which you can't turn off), anti-lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, emergency brake assist and hill start assist.Daytime running lights, static corner front foglights and automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, heated and power-adjustable exterior mirrors, front and rear parking sensors all add up to a solid safety package.DRIVINGA brat in choirboy's clothing is a quick way of summing up the 147TSI, but that's just the start - this is a genuine little rocket but one that hides its light under several bushels. D for daily drudgery on the DSG and light throttle pedal will sling the Jetta through the traffic quickly and quietly, easily keeping pace with the traffic.The ride is firm, abrupt over sharper imperfections that fight with the larger 45-profile tyres, but it's not so hard that you couldn't drive it every day. The cabin is austere but comfortable, although the front sports seats could do with a little more lateral support, and here's why.Get the Jetta away from the daily grind and somewhere with some bends, bump the shifter into Sports mode and it sheds the cardigan, spools up boost pressure and gets on with covering ground very quickly.Body control is a strong point and once working nearer its optimum, the Jetta carves through bends with little fuss front end - the electronic nursemaids don't get in the way too soon, which is fortuitous as they can't be deactivated.VERDICTIf a hot hatch Golf GTI has too much flash and a little less cash is a fairer asking price in your mind, then the Jetta 147 is going to hold plenty of appeal. Not the sexiest, not the newest and conservatively styled (at the very least), the Jetta will impress once behind the wheel.

Why is it that air weighs nothing but as soon as it starts moving, it can blow an umbrella inside out, cause seas to send ships off course and even destroy buildings.Please don't expect and answer from me. I am too busy wondering while Volkswagen would even consider picking wind names for its cars. A range of yachts, yes. Kites and wind turbines, even.I won't crudely suggest that the name of wind from animals be applied to a new Volkswagen model but there's not many options left. Renault has come close - Fluence - and Daimler made a Dart. For now, at least, it's a Volkswagen Jetta.VALUEThe Jetta is an extension of the Golf but is so close to the Passat that it could create buyer indecision on the same showroom floor. The test car costs $26,490 as a six-speed manual - which you'd upspec to an auto without thinking - which frankly makes it feel like a cheap car.Then there's the dreary all-black dashboard with as much life as a burnt stick. List the features - including that sparkling 1.4-litre engine - and the Jetta 118TSI redeems itself. But the delivery is poor and it looks very basic against similarly priced rivals.DESIGNCertain people prefer sedans, citing their more conservative and less abrupt styling as being more elegant. More pragmatic buyers cite the isolation of the cabin and the boot as being safer - especially in ice-cold climates where occupants would incur the freezing air while the boot lid was open.The Jetta is liberal in its accommodation and thanks to the huge boot, is an excellent case for a sedan. The styling is neat but too conservative to accurately reflect the sticker price. The cabin is simple - which I applaud - but needs some spice to resurrect it from deco 1970s Ukraine.TECHNOLOGYBig news here is the 1.4-litre engine that blends a supercharger with a turbocharger. The former works from idle to 3500rpm, and the turbo from about 3000rpm up. It makes a little engine perform like stink though, when you're off the heat, sip like a bird. It's a brilliant package with a price - it hasn't proven to be especially reliable.Volkswagen Australia is repairing busted engines and a cure has been found. Remember this engine is complex and needs regular, professional servicing. Jetta gets four-link rear suspension (some global markets get a less supple torsion beam) and electric steering.SAFETY Jetta has a five-star crash rating and comes with the full suite of safety equipment, including electronic stability control that from January 1, 2012 is mandatory on all Australian passenger cars. There are six airbags and the spare wheel is full size.DRIVINGThe six-speed manual version indicates it's aimed at the owner who enjoys the art of driving. He - or she - will have to go back to school to learn that the dual-clutch automatic version (DSG in VW-speak) is quicker and more fuel efficient. Regardless, the manual box is slick and the bottom four ratios wring the best from the broad and seemingly endless supply of power from that tiny engine.Remarkable. The top two cogs are for touring and even slight inclines will demand a downshift to fifth. Handling is very precise and the body stays flat. It will tend to understeer (as most cars do) but there's sufficient warning and it's a progressive action.I reckon the electric-assist steering is close to spot-on for the suburban, near-city driving conditions expected of this car. I was peeved that at 100km/h on the digital readout the analogue was showing 107km/h which is speeding fine material if you're looking at the wrong dial (the Jetta has two).VERDICTThis ticks most of the boxes but you'd want a bit of colour in the gloom of the cabin. The DSG auto is far better than the manual.

Volkswagen Jetta isn't merely a Golf sedan — it's much more than that with its own body panels (none shared with Golf), a Jetta flavoured interior, additional safety kit not in Golf and its own take on the VW corporate face, possibly the best looking in the whole model range.Now in its sixth generation Jetta uses powertrains from the VW family, in this case, a 2.0-litre turbodiesel. It's a compact-prestige five seater sedan with economy, quality, performance and style.VALUEHere's another car you'd consider if you couldn't quite run to say a Benz C-Class or BMW 3-Series. And the prices start in the mid $20k region.The test vehicle was a $34,990 Jetta 103TDi turbodiesel Comfortline  — with options that rack it up to about $40k but it's an impressive package for that money especially if you don't equate size with value.  Having said that, new Jetta is nearly 20cm longer than the previous model and offers plenty of interior room and a large boot.Standard kit is extensive with Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, multi-function trip computer, multi-function wheel controls, a six- speed DSG "auto" transmission, cruise, dual zone climate control, excellent audio, front and rear park sensors with optical alert, auto lights and wipers — it goes on.SAFETYA five star performer but with clever stuff combining with stability control and six air bags  — like the Crash Impact Sound Sensor which modulates air bag deployment based on the noise level of a crash. Who would have thought...The body uses plenty of high strength steel and the entire car bristles with primary and secondary safety equipment. It has sporty dynamics to assist in crash avoidance.UNDER THE BONNETPlenty of grunt comes from the tried and true 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine good for 103kW/320Nm. In some form or other, this engine is in just about every VW product sold here.It sips fuel at better than 5.5-litres/100km (we saw the high fours on a freeway run) and has excellent throttle response across a wide engine speed range. The DSG gets it out of the blocks quickly and roll-on acceleration is as good as a 3.5-litre petrol six. You can hardly hear it except for a slight growl at idle.INSIDETypical VW — style and substance — understated, modern, functional with tight fit. Controls are easy to find and operate and the test vehicle's optional leather upholstery and ridged seats ($3500 with electric drivers seat adjust) make it a luxury cocoon suitable for the long haul. Satnav adds $3000. Air quality is assured by a pollen and dust filter with an air quality sensor shutting out fumes.THE DRIVELove this engine, goes like a train, uses minimal fuel. It annoys drivers in big sixes with off-the-line grunt and roll-on poke. Jetta is a classy customer and well mannered offering a sporty feel with a good measure of comfort. We love the direct feel steering and how it hangs on through corners. The sedan body is as practical as it is good looking and the boot is large, expandable with folding rear seats.VERDICTWhy buy an "Aussie" six when, for the same money you can have one of these classy customers. Visit the servo once a fortnight if you're unlucky.    Mat Watson road tests and reviews the VW Jetta.   

The VW badge has joined the ranks of the affordable small sedans. The sixth generation of the Volkswagen Jetta is a new design that no longer owes any heritage to its Golf parent, other than sharing drivetrains and basic suspension set-up.With a $26,490 starting price for the 118kW "twincharge" 1.4-litre petrol engine, this is a genuine rival to the Mazda3, Holden Cruze and Toyota Corolla that dominate the small-sized market and VW Australia head Anke Koeckler said it will form one of the four volume pillars (along with Golf, Tiguan and Polo) for the company.To do that it will have to return sales to far better than the 2007 heyday when the Jetta sold 4000 units. This time around it's a better product and at a sharper price, inviting buyers to join the Euro club for a few grand more than a local or Asian-built vehicle.VALUEThe base model comes with a six-speed manual but even Koeckler admitted at the launch that the car is expected to account for only five per cent of sales. Opt for the seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission and it's a $2500 premium. That still delivers a 118kW/240Nm engine with standard Bluetooth, USB>iPod connectivity, cruise control and a full-sized spare wheel.The Comfortline range is where the action is expected to be. It replaces the base model's 16-inch steel wheels for alloys and adds rear parking sensors, low tyre pressure monitors, automatic lights and rain-sensing wipers at $32,490 for the twincharge engine or $34,990 for the 103kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbodiesel. Both models run the DSG transmission, as does the top-spec 147kW/280Nm 2.0-litre petrol model.TECHNOLOGYThe Jetta is new from the ground up, with a 190mm longer body compared to the Golf hatch. The wheelbase is now 55mm longer and the track 3mm wider, but the Jetta is also 15-69kg lighter than the outgoing model.VW puts up the fuel economy as one of the reasons to buy a Jetta and the numbers back that claim: 6.5 litres/100km for the manual 118TSI petrol and 6.2 for the auto, 5.5 litres/100km for the diesel and 7.9 litres/100km for the 2.0-litre petrol.  In comparison the 103kW/200Nm Cruze delivers 6.7 litres/100km and the Mazda3 SP25 with 122kw and 227Nm is good for 8.6 litres/100km.DESIGNThe Jetta is a new project from the ground up and lead designer Jose Pavone said being liberated from the Golf platform was a dream come true."We have to reshuffle the proportions (of the Golf-based model). We shift back the cabin, so the bonnet is much longer, the wheelbase is much longer and the trunk (boot) has a quite compact look even though you have 510 litres."SAFETYA crash impact sound sensor is the latest hi-tech technique out of the VW stable to save lives. It was launched on the Golf and is based on the principle that the crumple zones will absorb the shockwaves of a crash to the sensors, but the sound of a crash is consistent. The resultant millisecond difference in the deployment of the six airbags could be the difference between life and death. The latest Jetta hasn't copped the ANCAP treatment but it should earn five stars based on VW's recent reputation.DRIVINGI want a Jetta. It's a very good car in 1.4 twincharge petrol or turbodiesel guise but . A couple of disconcerting thumps while driving on typical B-grade Aussie roads were a worry. Carsguide needs to get hold of it on our test loop to put it in context, but it is otherwise a worthy contender in a tough market. The ride is fairly responsive, to the point where the suspension can probably be detuned for family duties.As set up it is very responsive and while it soaks up the hits, it still transmits too much data back into the cabin for a family cruiser. The 16-inch wheels look a better choice than the 17s.VERDICTIf I was shopping in this segment, I'd test drive the VW Jetta. Yeah, it costs a bit more but it is well built, well thought out in term of interior space and holds its own on the road. Will Cruze owners pay the extra? Time will tell.

The new bigger Volkswagen Jetta shares less with the Golf hatch than its predecessor, but there's no shortage of expectations for it.  Not that the Golf links has done it any harm, but the sixth-generation Jetta carries a big load.With a global sales tally of more than 9.6 million worldwide, it is a key part of the brand's plans to more than triple its worldwide volume by 2018 - including boosting its US market share to double digits and volumes to 800,000.Pricing and salesAustralia has less stratospheric numbers in mind for its tally when it arrives in mid-2011, although they're not making them public.  Its recent sales in Australia dwell in the realm of 4000 units annually back in 2007, but the brand is hoping the new model will revive those numbers.Given it's not due in Australian showrooms until the middle of 2011, pricing and features lists are at best rubbery.  The inclusion of the new entry-level 1.4-litre turbo-only model, the pricetag might sneak in under $30,000 for one model, but the rest will dwell in the $30,000- $40,000 bracket, which puts it up against the Mazda6 and the Honda Accord Euro amongst others.Engines and gearboxesThe engine line-up for Australia has not been locked in but is likey to reflect the current Jetta range - two diesels and three petrol engines, teamed with manual and double-clutch automatics.  The new 1.2-litre TSI petrol is not being considered for an Australian release, so the range will kick off with a 1.4.The 1.4-litre forced-induction four-cylinder petrol engines both remain available with the seven-speed DSG or a six-speed manual.  The turbocharged variant produces 90kW and 200Nm of torque, while claiming 6.2 litres per 100km; the supercharged and turbocharged ‘Twincharged’ 1.4 ups the thirst to 6.3 and the outputs remain at (down by less than half a litre on the current model) 118kW and 240Nm.The top-spec petrol model will again be propelled by a two-litre direct-injection petrol engine (from the GTI engine family, with a six-speed manual or DSG gearbox) claiming a 6.9-litre per 100km thirst despite offering 147kW and 280Nm.The frugal direct-injection diesels start with the 77kW/250Nm 1.6-litre common-rail turbocharged engine, with a claimed thirst of 4.5 litres per 100km and the option of a seven-speed DSG gearbox.  The 1.6 TDI with BlueMotion technology on board drops the fuel number to 4.2 l/100 km, with a corresponding drop in CO2 emissions.The two-litre turbodiesel ups the power to 103kW and torque peaks at 320Nm, with fuel use rising to 4.8 litres per 100km.Body and fit-outThe new model has grown by 90mm in overall length, with 73mm of that coming from an extension to the wheelbase which has improved rear legroom by around 67mm. Width and height remain largely unchanged and bootspace is down 7 litres to 510 litres.  The car is around 30kg lighter thanks to the use of high-strength steel, which has also improved torsional rigidity.The styling is anything but adventurous, but it's also not going to offend - that said, we're driving a top-seller for the brand in the US that didn't seem turn too many heads in San Francisco.  The cars bound for Australia will get soft-feel dash plastics and vents for the rear passengers, who have ample leg room and more than adequate headroom.  Two rear-seat occupants of 190cm plus can sit behind a similarly-sized driver and have good knee room; three children would travel in the rear without issue as well.The features list for Australia is yet to be firmed up, but the new Jetta retains its anti-lock brakes and stability control, as well as six airbags - front, side and full-length curtains - as standard, with the option (in Europe and the US at least) of rear side airbags.Specification of the new Jetta - which goes on sale in Australia mid-2011 - is yet to be finalised, but the European-spec entry-level Trendline has anti-lock brakes, stability control with trailer stabilisation, 16in wheels, heated power mirrors, tinted windows with insulating glass, filtered air conditioning and remote central locking. There's also interchangeable interior accents, an auxiliary input and a multifunction display.The Comfortline adds 16in alloy wheels (likely to be standard entry-level fare in Australia), with added storage pockets, centre armrests with storage box and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, gearshifter grip and hand brake while the Highline model ups the wheelsize to 17in alloy wheels and adds headlight washers, front fog lights with cornering lights. The top-spec model also gets the sport seats with leather/fabric trim and climate control.DrivingThe driving impression has to be tempered with something of a disclaimer - the torsion beam rear end under the US car's bum won't be in Australia, and we can be thankful for that.  The car itself feels solid and reasonably quiet, except for the road noise on coarse US highway surfaces, but the exterior rear vision mirrors seemed a little on the small side.The steering is light and inoffensive, but the Australian spec cars will get a different power-assisted system that uses electric rather than hydraulic.  The two-litre turbodiesel and TSI petrol engines driven with DSG transmissions in the US were as close to Australian-spec as could be found and both are appealing drivetrains, although the diesel is probably the favourite - quiet, smooth and reasonably linear, it has ample torque and delivers it without feeling strained.