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Volkswagen Jetta Review
The Volkswagen Jetta made its American debut in 1980 after achieving widespread popularity in Europe. It proved to be a smart move for the German automaker, as the US eventually became its largest market for the model, averaging around 140,000-150,000 sold here annually. In 2005, the Jetta, essentially a Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit with a trunk, was completely redesigned to be bigger and more powerful than it has ever been before in hopes that its gradually dwindling sales would be rekindled.
See also the main fact sheets for the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta.
High Points
- Available in four transmission options
- TDI offers outstanding gas mileage
- Easy to reach controls
- More spacious rear cabin
- Reasonably priced at ($17,900-$24,800)
Low Points
- Automatic transmission a bit sluggish
- Front legroom and elbowroom a bit limited
- Sound system could use some work
- Loud engine might be offputting for some
- More generic styling; less European feel
Performance and Handling
If at all possible upgrade to GLI or the 2.0T edition. The standard version misses the extra horsepower. Otherwise all optional tranmissions run and shift great, yet since it's completely redesigned the final verdict will have to wait.
Handles great and sticks to the pavement and reminds us the greatness in German engineering.
Gas Mileage
Gas mileage will differ, based on your choice of engine and drivetrain. According to figures listed at FuelEconomy.gov, the Jetta's numbers for fuel efficiency are as follows:
- 1.9L TDI Diesel manual - 36/41
- 1.9L TDI Diesel automatic - 35/42
- 2.0L 4-cyl. manual - 23/32
- 2.0L 4-cyl. automatic - 25/31
- 2.5L 5-cyl. manual - 22/30
- 2.5L 5-cyl. automatic - 22/30
Safety
The NHTSA awarded the 2006 Jetta some impressive marks, scoring it a 4-star performer in both front crash tests and rollover and giving it 5 stars for its side-impact tests. This earned it a tie for 1st place in Autos.com's Compact Car category for safety.
Reliability and Maintenance
As a new model which only debuted in 2005, the latest generation of the Jetta is still a bit too fresh to provide accurate reliability information.
Interior and Comforts
Not much complaints, everything is within an arms reach. Options include a navigation system, leather upholstery, power seats, automatic climate control, a six-disc CD changer and, on the GLI only, 18-inch wheels.
Exterior
The frontend has been redesigned to perfection just a hint of chrome. Body is sleek in styling and available in several colors.
Styles and Options====Styles and Options
The 2006 Jetta comes in five trim levels: the Value Edition, 2.5, TDI, 2.0T, and sporty GLI. Three engines and four different transmissions are available, depending on trim.
For starters, the Value Edition, as its name would indicate, comes with the most basic of features. Its engine is a 2.5L 150hp inline 5-cylinder, powering a 5-speed manual transmission. Premium cloth seating, cruise control, telescopic tilt steering wheel, and power locks/windows/heated mirrors are standard, while a trip computer, navigation system, rear spoiler, and 6-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission are all available options.
The 2.5 shares the same engine and transmission as the Value Edition, but sports a few more conveniences. It's the first of the trims to include standard Stability Control and 16" silver alloy wheels. The interior seating is leatherette and the stereo system receives an upgrade from the base setup to a premium system with an in-dash 6-CD changer.
The TDI is the super fuel-efficient diesel Jetta, getting up to 36/41 mpg with the standard manual transmission. Its engine is a 4-cylinder diesel with - and this is the drawback - just 100hp. Other than that, it shares the same features as the 2.5.
The 2.0T is the first of the two high-power Jettas. It's equipped with a 2.0L 200hp inline 4-cylinder engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. Some of the features that are optional on the previous three trims come standard here, such as heated driver and front passenger seats, steering wheel mounted stereo controls, a trip computer, and leather steering wheel and shift knob coverings.
The GLI is also powered by the same engine and transmission as the 2.0T, but its features are geared more towards a sporty performance. It rides on a sport suspension and 17" silver alloy wheels draped in performance tires and hugs its passengers with sports seating. The GLI is the only model to come standard with a body-colored bumper (as opposed to the chrome accents) and black grille moldings. Otherwise, interior comfort options remain consistent with the 2.0T and TDI.
