A Superb German Sedan

The Jetta is a superb German sedan that offers a sophistication rarely seen in the compact segment. Its base price is higher than those of its competitors, but even the base model is well-equipped and comes with more than a base Mazda3, Corolla, or Civic. Considering the quality and quantity of its features, the Jetta is a better value.

Exterior

The body is well-proportioned with a mildly aggressive character, but it's also somewhat generic and has an unmistakable semblance to the Corolla. No surprises here. Exterior colors are mostly variations of blue or silver, but there are enough choices that most buyers should find at least one that appeals to them.

Standard features include dual polished exhaust tips, heated power mirrors with LED directional signals, daytime running lights, active security system, and six-speed intermittent wipers that automatically park in different positions to minimize blade wear. The wipers aren't speed-sensitive but they do slow when the vehicle is stopped. Standard wheels are 16" steel, but the covers are respectable and alloys are available for a few hundred more.

Drivetrain

The engine is a 170hp, 177ft-lb, 2.5l inline-5 based on a Lamborghini design. Its displacement is impressive for a compact but the vehicle is heavy and acceleration is average (0-60 in 8.5 seconds). The engine is highly refined, delivering 90% of its torque from 2,000rpm to over 5,000rpm. This wide power band makes the car a joy to drive: steep hills, heavy cargo, or high speeds all have little effect -- it gets from 60 to 90mph as effortlessly as from 0 to 30, and it easily climbs steep onramps. Under heavy acceleration, this large engine unleashes a throaty growl and deep exhaust notes that are quite different from the strained noises of other compacts.

I have the six-speed automatic transaxle, so that's all I can comment on. First and foremost, this is an unprecedented number of gears for a compact to have. The standard mode is "D," where forward gear changes are smooth, intuitive, and well-timed, keeping the engine at very low RPM's in most situations but quickly downshifting when more power is needed. It also has a Tiptronic mode which is used when specific gears are needed (such as on mountain roads), but these "manual" shifts are lazy and even in this mode it frequently changes gears by itself (if you want to change gears manually for the sake of performance, get a manual). Lastly, Sport mode ("S") makes the drivetrain more aggressive by boosting throttle response and allowing the engine to run at higher RPM's between gears. Overall, directional gear changes (such as from Reverse to Drive) are noticeably delayed, but this is forgivable given the quality of this gearbox.

Handling

Being a German sedan, the Jetta feels very solid. Its stiff frame and four-wheel independent suspension provide a good balance between ride stiffness (firm but not unpleasant) and handling. There's a lot of ground clearance and some body roll, but it corners well at relatively high speeds. With its weight it's not as "nimble" as dedicated sport sedans like the Mazdaspeed3, but it does feel much safer. Even the base model has large, wide tires that provide generous traction, and the car feels incredibly stable even approaching 100mph; it absolutely loves to go fast. After test driving several other compacts I immediately fell in love with the character of this car's handling.

Steering is accomplished through a rack-and-pinion setup equipped with a well-tuned variable electric boost; at lower speeds the steering is effortless, but at higher speeds it becomes rigid and precise. Standard features include four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with average stopping power (respectable considering the car's weight), front-wheel traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. A comprehensive four-wheel electronic stability program ("ESP") is available for a few hundred more. The car is drive-by-wire, and as is typical with this type of system, the electronically-controlled throttle feels "mushy." This is because of its artificial delay, intended to provide a smoother driving experience at the expense of responsiveness. When the transaxle is in Sport mode ("S"), this "mushy" behavior disappears.

Fuel Efficiency

The EPA estimate of 21mpg city / 29mpg highway is average for an engine of this size, and so far I've been getting right around 21 in the city. Interestingly, my highway mileage has been much higher: with the cruise control set at 80 MPH and the air conditioner off, I've consistently gotten around 35mpg. This is partly because the 6-speed transaxle has two overdrive gears, and even at high speeds the engine is able to run at low RPM's.

Safety

The Jetta has a substantial frame, making it a very safe car. Weight and sturdiness are critical for crash performance, and this car has both. Full side curtain airbags and front side airbags are standard, and rear side airbags are available. There is no question this car is safe: it was chosen as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, and it received 5-star (side) and 4-star (front) ratings from the NHTSA. If the 4-star rating alarms you, remember that the Jetta was tested as a mid-sized car because of its weight, so this puts it in the same test class as larger cars like the Camry or Accord, possibly outperforming compacts that received a 5-star rating (like the Civic). The Jetta may very well be the safest compact on the road right now, and if you go to YouTube and watch any crash test videos, you'll see why.

Interior

The cabin is built with high-quality materials and controls are well-placed and tactically responsive. It has many standard upscale features that make it feel like a much more expensive car, such as a climate-controlled glove box, back-seat air outlets, auto-up/down power windows on all four doors, map lights, vanity lights, an overhead storage compartment, and numerous 12V outlets.

The rear seat doesn't have much head room, but otherwise all seats have ample head, leg, and hip room. Seating is firm and comfortable. Front seats have lumbar and height adjustments, and the steering wheel telescopes and tilts through a wide range of positions. Any driver should be able to find a comfortable position.

An attention to detail is evident everywhere in this design, from the constantly-backlit headlight switch to the automatic transaxle's leatherette-wrapped shift gate. One of the more unique details is a pair of red LED's in the ceiling that constantly illuminate the area around the center console, providing enough light to read by without reducing night vision. The interior is not without its flaws (gauges, for example, can be hard to read in bright daylight), but it feels as if it's a class above other compacts. The instrument cluster includes the outside temperature (with a road ice warning), and warnings for problems such as low fluids or burned out lights. A more advanced display is available that includes menus for changing options such as door lock behavior.

The base audio system is mediocre. It plays MP3's from CD's, but it's slow and the randomizer constantly replays the same tracks. The speed-sensitive volume feature works well, but the control is too sensitive. The system has eight speakers and they aren't bad, but because of the weak and inflexible receiver the sound is somewhat muddy. There's an auxiliary input for a portable audio player, but its gain is low and the volume needs to be turned up extremely high to use it. Most people would be satisfied with this system, but audiophiles (myself included) are not going to want to keep it.

Cargo space is ample thanks to a cavernous trunk, fold-down rear seats, and a fold-flat front passenger seat. All four doors open impressively wide, although they're too heavy to easily maneuver with one hand and the all-electronic door locks sometimes behave strangely. The trunk has a mostly useless shopping bag hook, 12V power outlet, and rigid side pocket that's good for standing things upright. The lid self-opens with gas lifts and an electronic release, although the lifts are not as strong as they could be, and if the seal is dirty or there's any snow on the lid, it won't open without a push.

Maintenance & Reliability

This engine requires little maintenance. The oil is synthetic and lasts for 10,000 miles, and the coolant never needs to be changed (although I'd flush it every 100,000 miles). There's no steering fluid and the transaxle is permanently sealed, so other than occasional brake fluid, air filter, fuel filter, or spark plug swap, there's nothing else that needs to be changed regularly.

The hood is self-rising and easy to open, but the engine isn't work-friendly. Brake and washer fluid levels aren't visible, and simple maintenance tasks like changing the spark plugs or air filter require a lot of disassembly. Exterior bulbs are so difficult to replace that the manual doesn't even describe how to do it: it just tells you to go to a dealer instead (obviously you could either figure it out on your own or get a service manual). Whether you do your own work or you pay someone an hourly rate, you're sure to be frustrated with the amount of time required for seemingly simple tasks.

The Jetta's electrical system is a CAN-bus configuration (controller area network), so its numerous sensors and controls are all networked together into a single system which is accessible through a data port under the dashboard. With a special USB cable and software, any laptop can be connected to the car and nearly everything about the car can be changed or monitored in real time. This makes diagnosing problems and customizing options such as door lock behavior possible for anyone with enough experience to do at home.

Reliability is difficult to determine on a car this new, but Volkswagen does build very complex vehicles and they have a history of being expensive to maintain. Before building this generation of the Jetta, Volkswagen invested nearly a billion dollars in their assembly plant in Mexico -- the effects of this remain to be seen since these new Mark V vehicles have only been around for a few years, but early indications suggest there has been some improvement. Still, if reliability is a big concern, this may not be the right car for you. Keep in mind that it has always been electrical components or other minor problems that have plagued these cars, not major drivetrain failures. For anyone who can appreciate this car's sophisticated character, the rewards of ownership should far outweigh this risk.