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Overall: A few thousand dollars away from being
acceptably priced in its class.
Overall Rating: 6/10
Recommended: No
The Volkswagen Jetta is a
"premium compact" sedan, which translates into "economy car that has to
justify an inflated price tag with a luxury feel." One of the Jetta's closest
rivals, the Mazda3, does this very well, combining traditional small-car
practicality and economy with a long options list, a high-quality interior,
and excellent driving dynamics. The Jetta does not.
Like another popular competitor, the Honda
Civic, the Jetta gives the feel of a perfectly nice economy car, with a
relatively roomy and high-quality interior and a smooth ride. Also like the
Honda Civic, it excelled in crash testing. But it doesn't feel like an
expensive car in the same way that a Mazda3 does, only an especially competent
economy car. The Honda Civic is at least fuel-efficient and priced within the
realm of reason (on the very high end, however). The Jetta has the same
shortcomings but costs thousands more, and returns lousy gas mileage for a
compact, especially with its base 5-cylinder engine. (An excellent diesel
version is available now, but will soon leave the United States because of
strict emissions regulations.) And with less steering feel and a weight gain
compared to its predecessor, it's no fun either.
The Jetta does have one serious strong point:
its optional turbocharged 2.0-liter I4 that is shared with the Audi A3 and A4,
and Volkswagen's larger Passat. That engine makes the car much quicker and
quieter than the base engine, at a price premium over the already overpriced
standard versions.
Overall, the Jetta would have needed to feel
like an expensive car to be worth its substantial price premium. It doesn't.
Picture a quicker and quieter Toyota Corolla that costs thousands more. Buy a
Mazda3 for less than a Jetta, or its premium-brand equivalent the Volvo S40 if
you want a premium feel in a small sedan, or look at a Ford Focus, Honda
Civic, or Toyota Corolla if you just want a nice economy car. Don't buy a
Jetta.
See Vehicle Overview
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