2009 Volkswagen Jetta: Road Test

ACCELERATION

An SE SportWagen is the only 5-cylinder Jetta made available for us to test so far. With the automatic transmission, acceleration is sprightly from a stop, with decent passing power. Its manual shift gate works well, too. GLI is satisfyingly quick, despite some turbo lag. A test example did 0-60 mph in 6.8 seconds in our testing.

Though not quite as potent overall as the GLI, Jetta TDI is surprisingly strong with either transmission. It suffers from some turbo lag. On all Jetta models, the manual transmission is delightful to use, with smooth shift and clutch action. The automatics are prompt and responsive, with helpful manual shift gates.

RIDE QUALITY

SE and TDI models are comfortable and composed on most road surfaces with their standard 16-inch wheels. Their suspension and tires combination absorb bumps with almost no harshness. Some unwanted hop and up-and-down motions filter into the cabin on rougher pavement. GLI, with its 17-inch wheels, feels jiggly, thumpy, and stiff on all but the smoothest pavement. The optional 18s don't help. We've not tested an SEL, which has 17s.

QUIETNESS

Some wind rush from the front pillars and side windows is noticeable at highway speeds. The 5-cylinder is generally smooth and quiet, though trails VW's own 4-cylinder engines for overall refinement. The GLI's turbo 4-cylinder has a pleasant growl and is quieter overall than the 5-cylinder. Tire thrum is present on the GLI, but it's never overly intrusive.

Surprisingly, the TDI sedan is the quietest Jetta model we've tested. Some engine clatter at idle and while accelerating never lets you forget you're driving a diesel. Still, it shows a high degree of refinement that's far removed from diesel engines of the past.

DETAILS

Among the best in class. Jetta's high-quality interior has many soft-touch surfaces and pleasing-looking plastics. SE and TDI have vinyl seats. While they look like leather, their overall appearance is a bit on the cheap side.

ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)

Sufficient headroom and legroom for smaller adults, but six-footers will feel cramped. The seat itself is very comfortable but best for two adults.

VALUE WITHIN CLASS

Jetta sets the class standard for overall refinement and solidity. It's also roomy, comes with many laudable safety features, and boasts a high-quality interior. The available wagon body style adds versatility to the lineup. The refined TDI vanquishes any preconceived notions about diesel engines. It's smooth and quiet, yet still fun to drive, while boasting fuel economy similar to that of many gas/electric hybrid cars. The TDI also qualifies for an income-tax credit. That, combined with fuel savings, should offset its price premium over comparable gasoline-powered Jettas. Expensive options quickly inflate delivered prices on all models, however. VW also suffers from subpar customer-satisfaction scores for reliability and dealer service.