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2009 Volkswagen Jetta Full Review
Date Published: 4/23/08
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Volkswagen Jetta Full Review
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2009 Volkswagen Jetta
Sneak Peek
The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta adds an available diesel engine and a wagon body style. This compact car is Volkswagen's top seller. It comes as a 4-door sedan or 4-door wagon. S, SE, TDI, SportWagen, and SEL trim levels are available, along with the sporty GLI. S, SE, and SEL have a 170-hp 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine. GLI uses a turbocharged 200-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. TDI versions use a turbocharged 140-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder diesel engine. S and SE versions are available with a 5-speed manual transmission. GLIs use a 6-speed manual. Standard on SEL and available on all other Jettas is a 6-speed automatic. The SportWagen should be available with both gasoline and diesel engines. The 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic should be available on both the SportWagen and TDI. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, front side airbags, and rear side airbags. An Autobahn Package on the GLI includes leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a sunroof. The diesel engine will be available in all 50 states. This report is based on evaluations of the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta.
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2009 Volkswagen Jetta Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Acceleration (GLI) | Rear-seat room |
| Interior materials | Low-speed power delivery (GLI) |
| Steering/handling | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
No 170-hp Jettas have been made available for us to test. GLI models are satisfyingly quick, particularly in the 45-65-mph range. A manual-transmission GLI did 0-60 mph in 6.8 seconds in our test. Turbo lag is noticeable, particularly from a stop. No opportunity yet to test a SportWagen or TDI.
| GLI, manual | Class Average |
| 7 | 4.9 |
No 170-hp Jettas have been made available for us to test. GLI models are satisfyingly quick, particularly in the 45-65-mph range. A manual-transmission GLI did 0-60 mph in 6.8 seconds in our test. Turbo lag is noticeable, particularly from a stop. No opportunity yet to test a SportWagen or TDI.
Fuel Economy
In Consumer Guide testing, a manual-transmission GLI averaged 18.1 mpg, including gas-eating acceleration tests. Other turbocharged Jettas averaged a frugal 26.1 mpg with more highway miles. Five-cylinder Jettas use regular-grade gas. VW recommends premium for the turbo four.
| GLI, manual | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 |
In Consumer Guide testing, a manual-transmission GLI averaged 18.1 mpg, including gas-eating acceleration tests. Other turbocharged Jettas averaged a frugal 26.1 mpg with more highway miles. Five-cylinder Jettas use regular-grade gas. VW recommends premium for the turbo four.
Ride Quality
GLI with its 17-inch tires feels jiggly, thumpy, and borderline harsh on all but smooth roads. The optional 18s won't help.
| GLI, manual | Class Average |
| 4 | 5.1 |
GLI with its 17-inch tires feels jiggly, thumpy, and borderline harsh on all but smooth roads. The optional 18s won't help.
Steering/Handling/Braking
A class standout. Corners with grippy assurance and modest body lean. GLI offsets its lumpy ride with terrific handling. Braking is strong and sure.
| GLI, manual | Class Average |
| 8 | 6 |
A class standout. Corners with grippy assurance and modest body lean. GLI offsets its lumpy ride with terrific handling. Braking is strong and sure.
Quietness
Some test cars exhibited intrusive wind rush from front pillars and side windows at highway speed. Tire thrum is present with the GLI's 17- and 18-inch tires but is never overly intrusive.
| GLI, manual | Class Average |
| 5 | 4.6 |
Some test cars exhibited intrusive wind rush from front pillars and side windows at highway speed. Tire thrum is present with the GLI's 17- and 18-inch tires but is never overly intrusive.
Controls
Clear gauges complement mostly handy, intuitive controls, but some testers find the blue and purple dashboard lighting too soft for best nighttime legibility.
| GLI, manual | Class Average |
| 7 | 5.9 |
Clear gauges complement mostly handy, intuitive controls, but some testers find the blue and purple dashboard lighting too soft for best nighttime legibility.
Details
Among the best in class. Jetta's high-quality interior has many soft-touch surfaces and pleasing-looking plastics.
| GLI, manual | Class Average |
| 7 | 4.9 |
Among the best in class. Jetta's high-quality interior has many soft-touch surfaces and pleasing-looking plastics.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Great legroom from ultra-long seat tracks. Only the tallest riders may notice intrusion from the sunroof housing. GLI's contoured sport seats snug occupants in spirited cornering without a confining feel. Jetta's standard tilt and telescopic steering wheel aids driver comfort. Aft visibility is hindered a bit by the rear headrests.
| GLI, manual | Class Average |
| 7 | 5.4 |
Great legroom from ultra-long seat tracks. Only the tallest riders may notice intrusion from the sunroof housing. GLI's contoured sport seats snug occupants in spirited cornering without a confining feel. Jetta's standard tilt and telescopic steering wheel aids driver comfort. Aft visibility is hindered a bit by the rear headrests.
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.
| GLI, manual | Class Average |
| 4 | 4.3 |
Sufficient headroom and legroom for smaller adults, but six-footers will feel cramped. The seat itself is very comfortable but best for two adults.
Cargo Room
Generous for a compact, enhanced by a large aperture, nonintrusive trunklid hinges, and standard 60/40 split folding rear seat. Good small-item storage.
| GLI, manual | Class Average |
| 4 | 5.3 |
Generous for a compact, enhanced by a large aperture, nonintrusive trunklid hinges, and standard 60/40 split folding rear seat. Good small-item storage.
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. But expensive options quickly inflate delivered prices, and VW suffers from subpar customer-satisfaction scores for reliability and dealer service.
| GLI, manual | Class Average |
| 5 | 6.2 |
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. But expensive options quickly inflate delivered prices, and VW suffers from subpar customer-satisfaction scores for reliability and dealer service.
Total Score
| GLI, manual | Class Average |
| 64 | 58.6 |
Scores for all Compact Cars
| Low Score | 51 | |
| Average Score | 58 | |
| High Score | 71 |
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2009 Volkswagen Jetta Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 03/14/2008
Coming soon.
Please check back for more information and Consumer Guide's full review.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national
manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings
may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
Optional Equipment
No factory options.
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2009 Volkswagen Jetta Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Volkswagen Jetta 4-door sedan | Volkswagen Jetta 4-door wagon |
| Wheelbase, in. | 101.5 | -- |
| Overall Length, in. | 179.3 | -- |
| Overall Width, in. | 70.1 | -- |
| Overall Height, in. | 57.4 | -- |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3230 | -- |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 16.0 | -- |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 14.5 | -- |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | -- |
| Front Head Room, in. | 38.5 | -- |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.2 | -- |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 37.2 | -- |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 35.4 | -- |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| dohc I5 | Turbocharged dohc I4 | Turbodiesel dohc I4 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 2.5 /151 | 2.0 /121 | 2.0 /122 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 170 @ 5700 | 200 @ 5100 | 140 @ |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 177 @ 4250 | 207 @ 1800 | 235 @ |
| Availability | Standard | Standard | Standard |
|
EPA City / highway mpg
|
|||
| 5-speed manual | 21/29 | --/-- | --/-- |
| 6-speed manual | --/-- | 21/29 | NA/NA |
| 6-speed automatic | 21/29 | 22/29 | NA/NA |
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft;
dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders;
V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions
per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--"
= measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
Antilock Brakes
Traction Control
Antiskid System |
Front Side Airbags
Curtain Side Airbags
Rear Side Airbags |
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | Volkswagen Jetta 4-door sedan | Volkswagen Jetta 4-door wagon |
Coming soon.
Please check back for more information and Consumer Guide's full review.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's
worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to
rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury:
5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact
crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%;
1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover
when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%;
2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Built in:
Mexico
Drivewheels:
front-wheel drive
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Get a FREE Price Quote:
Also in the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Volkswagen Jetta Full Review
7.
8.
9.
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