2011 VW Jetta Review

vw jetta

Unfortunately for Volkswagen, relatively few Americans want to spend extra for the taut suspension, high-quality interior and refined ambiance of a European car. So, with the 2011 Jetta, Volkswagen decided to give America what it was asking for: more car for less. Sounds hard to resist, right?

In a way, tailoring the Jetta to US tastes was almost inevitable. The Jetta’s suspension is also better than many of its mass-market competitors. Body lean is surprisingly well-controled, without sacrificing cruising comfort. On the engine front, Volkswagen had little scope for decontenting. If you know anything about VW’s European TFSI engines, the 2.5′s lazy grunt and throaty five-pot gargle will seem unforgiveably proletarian. Were the Chrysler-built Routan minivan a stunning sales success, the 2011 Jetta’s similar-quality interior would make sense. VW insists that, despite favorable impressions of the car, American consumers haven’t considered Jetta due to its high price alone. In addition to the torsion beam rear-suspension, base Jettas are also saddled with rear drum brakes, and the old “two-point-slow” two liter engine, making 115 horsepower with minimal mileage improvements over the 2.5. Needless to say, Volkswagen didn’t bring a single “S” model to the San Francisco launch, but on paper we’re looking at a Jetta III with more room and a worse interior.

Instead of offering a new wagon, Volkswagen will continue to offer the previous Sportwagon alongside the new 2011 Jetta. With its new Golf-alike fascia, the Sportwagon now more closely resembles a European-style “Golf Variant” look, and offers everything that VW’s accountants stripped out of the new Jetta. Volkswagen invited us to a weekend-long press event for this review.

The good: The cabin tech interface in the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta SEL looks good and is easy to use. The Bluetooth phone system offers dial by name through voice command. The navigation system lacks advanced features.

The bottom line: The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta SEL makes for decent, if unexciting, transportation and includes a good suite of cabin electronics.

Volkswagen previously priced itself above its intended market, but wants to regain the title of peoples' car with the all-new Jetta. At its very base S trim, the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta can be had for $15,995. For one, its navigation and Bluetooth phone systems are standard. One engine among many

On paper, the 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine sounds quite powerful. The EPA ratings for the Jetta SEL are 23 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. Nav and Bluetooth, standard. Surprising is Volkswagen's decision to mostly do away with options and make cabin tech dependent on trim level. The SEL trim car comes standard with navigation, Bluetooth phone system, and digital audio sources.

Volkswagen gives the sixth generation 2011 Jetta major updates, but reviewers say some changes -- like its cheap interior plastics -- aren’t an improvement. By giving the 2011 Jetta a starting price of $15,995, Volkswagen hopes to attract buyers who always wanted a Jetta, but didn’t want to stretch their budgets.

VW lengthened the 2010 Jetta’s frame to appeal to more Americans. With the price cut, interior quality suffers. Other amenities Volkswagen featured in previous models are missing. The base sedan starts at $13,320, about $3,000 less than the Jetta.

Also, you could consider a used Jetta or a leftover 2010 model. Details: 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
The 2011 Jetta has four trim options: the S, SE, SEL and TDI.