2009 Volkswagen Jetta Review

PROS Great fuel economy, Big-car ride, Nicely finished interior

CONS Cramped rear seat, Pricy, Stability control not standard

The Jetta is Volkswagen's best selling car and the German brand's entry in to the hot compact sedan segment. It competes with vehicles like the Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Accent, Kia Spectra, Mazda 3, Nissan Sentra, and Toyota Corolla.

Jetta comes as a four-door sedan or a four-door wagon and was last redesigned in late 2005. It shares chassis and engines with the hatchback Rabbit and, to some extent, the midsize Passat. For 2009 Volkswagen has added a diesel engine to the Jetta lineup.

Both body styles are available in S, SE, SEL, and TDI trim levels. S, SE, and SEL get a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine. The TDI gets a turbocharged 140-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. A manual transmission is standard on all models except the SEL, which comes with a six-speed automatic. That automatic is optional on other models. All models have front-wheel drive with traction control.

Standard safety features include antilock four-wheel disc brakes with brake assist, stability control, tire-pressure monitor, front-seat active head restraints, and dual-front, front-side, and curtain-side airbags. Rear-side airbags are optional. Park assist and a rear-view monitor are not offered.

The S model starts at $17,515 and includes air conditioning, tilt-telescope steering wheel, cruise control, heated front bucket seats with height and lumbar adjustment, center console, split-folding rear seat, heated power mirrors with integrated turn signals, power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with digital-media player connection, variable-intermittent wipers with heated washer nozzles, illuminated visor mirrors, cargo cover (wagon), rear defogger, theft-deterrent system, roof rails (wagon), and 205/55HR16 tires.

Starting price of the SE is $21,195 and that adds to the S leather-wrapped steering wheel, vinyl upholstery, split-folding rear seat with trunk pass-through, sunroof (sedan), AM/FM radio with in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer, satellite radio, and alloy wheels.

SEL pricing starts at $22,965 and adds to the SE upgraded sound system, steering wheel radio controls, dual-zone climate controls (wagon), universal garage-door opener (wagon), trip computer and 225/45HR17 tires. The TDI starts at $22,270 and includes all of the standard equipment of the TDI sans sunroof and larger tires.

Volkswagen says that the sporty GTI model will return later this model year. It includes a sport-tuned suspension, upgraded brakes, sport seats, and a 200-horsepower engine.

Options include leather upholstery, sport seats, navigation system with hard drive, panoramic roof on wagons, satellite radio, iPod adapter, Bluetooth cell-phone connection, body kit, and 17- or 18-inch wheels. The Jetta is assembled in Puebla, Mexico, and carries a $700 destination charge.

Get up and Go  Forget everything you know or have ever heard about diesel engines. Volkswagen's turbodiesel is as refined and smooth running as any gasoline competitor in the segment. There's no foul smell and only a hint of diesel clatter at startup on cold mornings. The rest of the time, you'll need to look at the badge on the back of the car to be sure it's a diesel.

The diesel provides appropriate-for-the-class acceleration and decent passing response. While it's no fireball, few vehicles in this class offer outstanding acceleration and no one, except the hybrids, can match the diesel's fuel economy.

The manual transmission is a joy to shift. Throws are short and the lever has a very positive feel. The clutch is easy to modulate and engages with a positive feel. The gearing offers relaxed highway cruising.

TDI EPA numbers with the manual transmission come in at 30 mpg city and 41 mpg highway. In routine driving it's easy to average more than 35 mpg and in relaxed highway driving you might top 43 mpg--a remarkable average for any class of vehicle. Even more impressive is the Jetta TDI's range, you can conservatively drive more than 500 miles on each 14.5-gallon tank.

On the Road  Regardless of trim level, Jetta is a small car that rides like a big one. The suspension is tuned for an athletic feel, when compared to traditional compact cars, but it's never harsh or overly bouncy.

On smooth roads Jetta rides with composure, and when the roads grow bumpy the suspension does an excellent job of being absorbent without allowing too much rebound.

When the road grows twisty Jetta comes alive. Body lean is modest and steering is sharp. Brakes have plenty of stopping power as well. S models are the least athletic, but even that model feels sportier than a traditional compact.

Jetta is more refined than many lower-priced compacts, but isn't as quiet as the Audi A4 or Volvo S40. There's some wind rush from the front pillars and tire roar is a problem on concrete pavement. The turbodiesel is refined and cruises quietly.

Behind the Wheel  True to its European roots, Jetta's interior is understated and refined. The predominant color is black, but there are subtle touches of bright work that keep things from getting too somber. Materials are a step above what traditional compact buyers would expect and easily on par with luxury compacts.

Clearly marked gauges sit dead center in front of the driver. They feature violet illumination at night that is designed to reduce eye strain. Audio and climate controls are clearly marked and placed within easy reach of both driver and passenger.

Though Jetta is a compact car, it offers great front-seat leg and head room. Even the tallest driver will have plenty of room. Seats are firm and somewhat narrow. Standard tilt-telescope steering wheel and adjustable center armrest are a boon to driver comfort. Visibility is great.

Rear-seat room is a disappointment. Though the seat is comfortable, leg and head room are tight. If the front seats are well forward, leg room is adequate for adults. Move the seats back past halfway and leg room disappears. Also, the rear door openings are small at the bottom, which complicates entry and exit.

Cargo room is generous by compact-car standards. In addition the opening is large and the trunk lid features slick hinges that don't eat into cargo space. Rear seat folds to increate room further. Interior storage is nice, highlighted by a generous glove box.

Bottom Line  If you are any sort of enthusiast, it is hard not to like Jetta. Though the car isn't cheap, Volkswagen has done an excellent job of staying true to the cars original mission--affordable European driving fun in an efficient package. Perhaps that is why this car is so popular.

Still, the back seat could use a few more inches of leg room and stability control should be standard on all models. Prices are on the high side, but you do get a lot for your dollar when it comes to standard equipment. The TDI makes a lot of sense if you have a long highway commute or if you plan to keep the vehicle for 10 years.