Volkswagen Jetta

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Volkswagen Jetta Models

The Volkswagen Jetta has three trim levels: GL, GLS and GLX; along with four engines: a 2.0-liter four cylinder, a 1.8-liter turbo, 1.9-liter TDI turbodiesel, and a VR6 narrow-angle V6. 

The base GL is available with either the 115-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine or Volkswagen's excellent 1.9-liter TDI diesel. The mid-level GLS offers a choice of the 2.0-liter, the 1.9-liter TDI, the new 1.8-liter turbo or the VR6. The top-of-line GLX is only offered with the VR6.

The 1.8 T engine uses a turbocharger, intercooler and five-valves per cylinder for improved high-rpm breathing to develop 150 horsepower and 155 pounds-feet of torque. Volkswagen's remarkable VR6 narrow-angle V6 produces 174 horsepower and 181 pounds-feet of torque.

For the first time in years, Volkswagen is offering a Wolfsburg Edition. The Wolfsburg Edition is based on the GLS 1.8T, and adds a special package of features and colors meant to appeal to Volkswagen's most demanding enthusiasts. It comes with a sports suspension, 16-inch BBS wheels, bolstered sports seats, and a special leather steering wheel, shift knob, boot and brake handle.

GLS offers an optional Partial Leather Package that adds leather seating surfaces, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob and hand-brake lever, heated windshield nozzles and heated seats.

Driving the Volkswagen Jetta

Whether on the Interstate or a favorite country road, the Jetta's ability to take curves at speed make driving it a pleasure. Jetta's stiff body structure made it possible for VW engineers to design a suspension that gives the Jetta a smooth ride while providing capable handling. (MacPherson struts are used in front, while a multi-link arrangement is used for the rear suspension.) It exhibits a fair amount of body roll, but at the limit of adhesion it's easy to drive quickly. On heavy-footed acceleration the Jetta tracked true with no detectable torque steer. We've hustled this newest generation Jetta along California's Pacific Coast. From San Diego to the small village of Mendocino and around Monterey Bay, the Jetta felt crisp and kept us entertained.

Volkswagen's reputation was built on capable four-cylinder engines and the latest evolution shows incredible improvement. The 2.0-liter engine that comes in the GL and GLS produces 115 horsepower. That sounds a bit low by comparison to the competition, but the engine works well and is solidly built. It delivers good off-the-line performance with a wide power band for mid- and high-end performance.

The TDI (turbocharged direct-injection) diesel engine is popular in Europe where it earned industry awards and customer acclaim for its efficiency. With the 5-speed gearbox, EPA rates it for 49 mpg on the highway. (We have not tested it.)

Our favorite is the VR6, Volkswagen's innovative narrow-angle V6 engine. Besides being an impressive runner, this VR6 is smooth and nearly noise free, except for a wonderful rumble emitting from the exhaust pipe.

The VR6 engine generates 174 horsepower. But more impressive is its 181 pounds-feet of torque. This low-rpm torque offers the driver plenty of power at all engine speeds. Step on the gas in any gear and it goes. On the highway, there's enough power to pass a slower vehicle without downshifting from fifth gear. Numerous times we found ourselves caught behind a large truck and the Volkswagen Jetta had plenty of torque to get us to the front of the line quickly.

We haven't driven the Jetta with the 1.8 T engine, but we love it in the Golf. It delivers enough torque to spin the front wheels (though traction control stands ready to minimize this).

The close-ratio manual transmission makes it a joy to move through the gears. The shifter has a more solid feel than in years past, making it easier to make quick shifts. The steering is very precise with excellent on-center feel -- there's absolutely no play in the steering. This is a real driver's car.

The new Jetta is a breeze to drive day in and day out. It is a vehicle that we could just as easily jump into for a long commute or a quick run to the corner market. The VR6 engine allows Jetta GLS and GLX models to gobble up the miles in a manner reminiscent of larger and more luxurious vehicles.