Background: Drivers in the market for German-engineered cars at prices that won’t tempt a second mortgage need look no further than Volkswagen. While upscale German rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz turn out stylish designs with noteworthy engine technology, Volkswagen is the “everyman’s” or woman’s car in Europe; high volume cars attainable by the average working family. Take the compact Golf-Jetta duo of front-wheel-drive vehicles. Golf is the hatchback version available with either two or four side doors while conventional sedan bodystyles get labeled with the Jetta moniker.
New for the 2002 model year in the states is the Jetta wagon, the lowest-priced German-engineered wagon available on this side of the pond. While the Ford F150 pickup truck has ranked as one of the best-selling vehicles in the United States for some 17 years, the Jetta-Golf combination ranks as one of the best one-two punches worldwide. Jetta has been sold in the U.S. for the past 20 years. The Jetta/Golf platform is so well tested and proven, Volkswagen decided to build the highly successful New Beetle off of it when the domed car was reintroduced here in the U.S. in 1998. Volkswagen is Europe’s largest automaker.
Engine/Trim Level: Jetta offers many mix-and-match engine and trim level combinations depending on your driving needs. Jetta also offers a six-cylinder engine, a noteworthy option in the compact segment that traditionally sticks with four-cylinder power. Three Jetta trim levels are available: entry-level GL, mid-level GLS and top-of-the-line GLX. The GLX comes exclusively with a six cylinder engine while GL is a four-cylinder exclusive model. The GLS comes with the choice of four or six cylinder power.
Our test-drive GLS included Volkswagen’s optional, all-new 1.8T four-cylinder engine cranking out 180 horsepower (an increase of 30 horses from last year) with an increase in torque, for quicker starts and more passing power. This engine is one of the most potent four-cylinder engines available but does require premium, 91 octane fuel. It delivers 24 miles per gallon in city travel and 31 m.p.g. highway when mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Subtract two miles per gallon in both categories when choosing the automatic transmission. The base Jetta engine is a 2.0-liter cranking out 115 horses. The third four-cylinder engine available is an optional diesel with 90 horsepower. Those opting for the GLX trim automatically receive the six-cylinder powertrain delivering 200 horsepower.
Price: Our Jetta GLS test vehicle had a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $19,550. With options including the sport luxury package ($2,025) and leather package ($1,050) and upgraded sound system ($325), the bottom line totaled $23,600 including $550 destination charge. Volkswagen’s own research shows Jetta buyers are a relative young bunch with a median age of 32 and a household income of $64,000. The lowest-priced Jetta, a GL with manual transmission starts at $16,850. A GL TDI turbodiesel starts at $18,145 with manual transmission. A manual, four-cylinder GLS checks in at $17,900 and a top-of-the-line six-cylinder GLX with manual transmission starts at $24,700. By comparison, the lowest-priced Chevrolet Cavalier sedan, a four-door, five-speed manual LS starts at $15,235 while the lowest-priced Toyota Corolla sedan, a CE with five-speed starts at $13,370.
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 98.9 inches
Overall length: 172.3 inches
Overall width: 68.3 inches
Overall height: 56.7 inches
Curb weight: 3,037 pounds
Standard equipment: As a compact appealing to a budget-conscious audience, Jetta comes equipped with many crowd-pleasing favorites. All levels include: air conditioning, AM/FM/cassette player, rear-window defroster, intermittent front windshield wipers, adjustable steering column, power assisted rack-and-pinion steering, four-wheel independent suspension, power side-view mirrors with defrosters and power locks. Jetta comes pre-wired for a compact disc player, which is optional as is a trunk-mounted six-disc changer. The GL edition includes manually-operated windows while GLS and GLX feature the power-operated variety.
Inside: As with the VW Beetle, Jetta’s back seat headroom is at a premium for those taller than 6 feet. Headroom is more plentiful in front. Two occupants under 6-feet tall travel best in back; three would be a crowd. Seatbacks fold down with a 60/40 split when access to the trunk is needed. Drivers have a well-designed interior to work with. Dual beverage holders retract into the dashboard above the stereo and three-dial ventilation system; a good set up so cans of soda don’t block dials. Fuel and trunk release levers are found on the driver’s door. Also on the door, power window and lock controls are placed at a 90-degree angle. Chrome door handles are relatively small in size. Ceiling handles are found above all four doors.
Outside: Body-colored, strap handles grace the four doors while side-view mirrors also share the same body hue. Rectangular headlights remain in front without wrapping around to the side fenders. Volkswagen’s familiar, circular logo adorns the front grille. The whip radio antenna on the roof sticks out at a 45-degree angle. The large, square-shaped rear window and good-sized side windows provide drivers with decent road perception in all directions. All four doors swing open wide enough for easy ingress and egress. The flat, short trunk lid provides contrast to the longer front hood. Fifteen-inch all-season tires come standard in GL and GLS. Sixteen inch varieties are standard in GLX and optional in the GLS six-cylinder offering. A full-size spare is found under the flat-floored trunk.
Warranty: The 2002 Jetta includes a four-year/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty (up from the 2001 two-year, 24,000-mile warranty). The fully transferable powertrain warranty is good for five years or 60,000 miles. Corrosion coverage is one of the best in the business, at 12 years with no mileage limit.
Safety features: Jetta offers many safety features standard, impressive for a compact offering. All Jetta trim levels include daytime running lights, theft deterrent system, driver and passenger front and side curtain air bags, anti-lock brakes and child safety rear door locks. Conventional traction control is standard in GLS 1.8T, GLS VR6 and GLX editions. Remote keyless entry with power locks is standard in all models except GL where it is not offered.
Final thoughts: The high-performance, four-cylinder 1.8T engine was very quick off the block thanks to better-than-average low-end torque and the manual transmission. This 1.8-liter engine provided more fun than what’s usually found under the hood of a compact vehicle. The Jetta gets high marks for generous trunk volume and shock-absorber type hinges found outside the cargo area, eliminating the chances of “box crunch” from curved, interior hinges connected to the inside lid. Jetta’s 20 years on the road also is a positive testament to its dependability and popularity with drivers. |