Volkswagen Jetta: Finally able to take on the competition!

In its quest to become the world’s biggest automaker by 2018, Volkswagen has to act now to position some of its products for optimal results.

This strategy means establishing itself firmly on the American market, where the Jetta has always been very successful (unlike in Europe, where the Golf has gotten all the glory). So, Volkswagen is starting to pave the way by unveiling a new Jetta. More than just a new car, its position at the heart of the Volkswagen line marks a new beginning.
Until now, the Jetta was a Golf with a trunk, which put it a notch above the latter in the hierarchy. Now, both in terms of size and price, the Jetta becomes the entry-level model of the Volkswagen line.

The more imposing Jetta is now on equal footing with big shots like the Honda Civic, Mazda3, Mitsubishi Lancer, Toyota Corolla and, let’s hope, the new Chevrolet Cruze and forthcoming Ford Focus. As for the price, the old generation Jetta retailed for a minimum of more than $20,000. Now, you can get a Jetta for $15,875, a price that once again defies the Civic et al. Of course, to offer a car for less than $16k, VW had to make some cuts, so say good-bye to the air conditioning, brake servo and heated seats as standard equipement. However, the equipment remains good: a 60/40 folding rear bench, six air bags, power windows and a telescopic steering wheel are all included in the basic equipment.
The 2011 Jetta will arrive towards the end of September in the versions that we already know: Trendline, Trendline+, Comfortline, Sportline and Highline. While a basic Trendline retails for less than $16,000, the price increases very quickly.

For example, tack on another $1,400 for the automatic, $275 for the Climate Package (climate control and heated front seats) and another $300 for the engine block heater, which does not come with the Climate Package! In the end, you could end up with a Jetta Highline TDI worth close to $30,000. At that point, you may as well get yourself a Passat. Except that the 2011 Passat only comes in a CC version. You’ll have to wait for the next generation Passat.

Yeah, yeah, that’s all well and good, but what about the car?

For starters, as is usually the case with German models, extreme simplicity is key. Although the taillights are a copy of the Audi A4’s design (after all, Audi belongs to Volkswagen), you can’t really say that the new sedan stands out on the road. However, this catch-all style offers an undeniable advantage... it helps the car age well and it won’t go out of style in five years. The new Hyundai Sonata, for example, is, in my humble opinion, a lot better looking than the Jetta, but I’m not convinced that it will be as successful over time.

While the body is plain, even austere, the same can be said of the passenger compartment. Anyone who’s already driven a Volkswagen product will find the same materials quality, the same reliable assembly, and the same optimal layout of most of the controls. The grey and black passenger compartments are rather depressing, but you can, on some versions, get more attractive contrasting colours. Basically, we’re on familiar territory and, once again, those who prefer wild lines had better to look elsewhere.

The previous Jetta set itself apart with a large passenger compartment and an immense trunk. Since the new version is now 7.3 centimetres longer, passengers in the back seats will benefit from more legroom. As for the trunk, its 440-litre capacity is enormous for a sedan, and a lot larger than what the Honda Civic and Mazda3 are offering. What’s more, the back of the rear bench can be lowered.

Nothing new under the hood!

The first engine is the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder that was used in the Jetta City. I suspect it’s the same engine that Noah probably used to power the Ark. He probably used his grandfather’s old design... this 115-hp with 125 lbs-ft of torque is no peppier than it used to be, but it’s reliable. It’s paired with a five-speed manual transmission or an optional six-speed automatic. If your need for performance and fun isn’t too great, this engine will do the trick.

Most people will opt for the 2.5-litre, five-cylinder featuring 170 hp and 177 lbs-ft of torque. It won’t turn the Jetta into a hot rod, but its gusto and fuel consumption (which is barely higher than the 2.0-litre engine) should make it the choice of most buyers. This engine can also be paired with either a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic.

The third engine offered is well-known to Volkswagen lovers in Canada, where it’s very popular. It’s the four-cylinder, 2.0-litre turbodiesel (TDI, for short) featuring 140 horses, and, wait for it…236 lbs-ft of torque at 1,750 rpm! This extraordinarily fuel-efficient engine (it gives the car an operating range of at least 1,100 km!) is THE engine to have. However, it’s slightly more expensive to buy and, you guessed it, a little noisier. But don’t worry, it’s a long way from the diesel engines from the 70s and 80s! There are two six-speed transmissions offered – an automatic and a manual. Later on, Volkswagen will offer a sportier and more luxurious GLI version, which has always been very successful in our country. It’s 2.0 turbocharged litres and 200 horses should be satisfactory…

Familiar territory

Once again, and at the risk of repeating ourselves, this product is purely Volkswagen. The steering features uncommon precision and feedback and the chassis is solid enough for any challenge. On the other hand, I found the suspensions harder than with the previous generation. It must be said that it has a rear semi-rigid torsion bar suspension, while the European version comes with the multi-link suspension that will equip the future GLI. The base version comes with drum brakes, which is a step backwards for VW, who had no choice but to cut somewhere to arrive at an affordable price.

Even when you take the corners too fast, the new Jetta handles admirably, not surprising considering the brand’s history. Although the various manual transmissions are generally irreproachable, we prefer the DSG automatic, especially for city driving. It’s too bad that only the TDI offers wheel-mounted shifters, as they make driving more fun. At the international launch, all of the Jettas that we test drove had an accelerator that was hard to adjust, which made for sometimes jerky starts. The lateral stability and traction control (ESC) systems can’t be deactivated. In some instances, like when the car is stuck in a snowbank, deactivating these systems can be a blessing. Unfortunately, not being able to deactivate these systems seems to be becoming industry standard. The Ford Fiesta, for example, is another one that doesn’t offer this possibility.

Volkswagen’s strategy for the years to come doesn’t only concern the Jetta (there’s talk of a hybrid version for 2012 or 2013). They’re already working on the replacement for the Passat and on the new New Beetle (will they call it that?), but most of all, they’re counting on the opening of a brand new plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee to help the German company improve its luck considerably in the U.S.