VW Jetta

The Volkswagen Jetta is clearly an important vehicle for Volkswagen of America. Not only is the Jetta the top-selling vehicle in their North American lineup, this is the place in the entire world where Jetta sells best. So when recent sales of the Jetta were plagued by quality and aging issues it’s not exactly surprising to find out that the collective sales of the Volkswagen brand in this country followed downward. Now, bent on returning the VW brand to the yuppie-hip days of the early 90’s, VW has debuted the latest generation of the Jetta for the first time anywhere in the world. This Los Angeles unveiling marks just the second time a VW has made a world debut in the United States.

Los Angeles is a fitting place to debut the Jetta, as it is one of the car’s (and VW’s) best markets in the United States. Interestingly enough, this year will also mark the car’s 25^th Anniversary of sales here in North America. During that span, more than 2.2 million copies were sold. In an unusual move, VW simultaneously announced the base MSRP for the new Jetta, which, at $17,900, is just $200 more than the outgoing models.

Just a bit more trivia before we get to the details, not only is the Jetta VW’s top model in the United States, it accounts for fully 40% of the company’s yearly sales. It is perennially the top-selling European nameplate in America. This is the fifth generation of the Jetta to be sold since its introduction here in 1980. Clearly, this is an important vehicle – one that’ll be watched by the entire industry.

VW Jetta

Volkswagen has long-marketed the Jetta as the premium alternative to other compacts. A BMW 3 Series at a cut-rate price, if you will. The Jetta has always been something different. If you could afford it, the MkIV model offered styling and interior quality unlike anything else in its class. But the class has long-since caught on, and VW has had to work extremely hard if it wanted to reproduce the popular status of the outgoing model.

Frankly, results are somewhat mixed. The styling of the MkV Jetta is not as distinctive as its predecessor – with shades of Toyota Corolla and Acura TSX in its lines. The look is not as cohesive and solid as the previous model. Whereas the previous model looked like a BMW for a cheap price, this one just seems a bit like a Corolla for more money. That’s never a good sign. However, the Jetta has always promised more than just looks to make worthy its substantial price premium. The MkV Jetta is no exception.

The new Jetta is dimensionally larger in just about every way. This’ll be great news for rear seat occupants, who could really use the extra leg room. Powering the ever-larger Jetta is a new 2.5L five-cylinder engine with 150 hp, compared to an anemic 2.0L four cylinder in the previous model that blasted out an overwhelming 115hp. Making use of the standard 2.5L engine’s power will be a new optional six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic that includes a special “sport” mode. Additionally, a DSG transmission will be offered later in the year with the TDI (diesel) model. DSG is basically an automated manual transmission that offers the efficiency of a manual with the operation of an automatic. New standard driving enhancements include elctro-magnetic steering, a new electronic stability program, and new ABS all-disc brakes.

VW Jetta

Besides offering more legroom and passenger space, the Jetta will also offer more storage space via a larger trunk. One area that VW has not needed help with is interior design, and the MkV Jetta is yet another example of VW’s expertise in this area. The look continues to be one of pure quality and refinement. However, models from Toyota, Mazda, and even Chevy are catching up. To stay ahead, the Jetta has a long list of standard safety and comfort features, including front side thorax airbags, side curtain airbags for front and rear passengers, “crash-active” front headrests, crash-optimized food pedals that move out of the way in a major accident, daytime running lights, three-point seat belts and adjustable headrests for all five passengers, and front belt pre-tensioners with load limiters.

At its core, the Jetta has a stronger body than the outgoing model. VW recorded double-digit improvements in dynamic and torsional rigidity. Volkswagen achieved this through the use of high-strength body panels and advanced laser welding. In fact, the new laser welded seams are utilized nearly 14 times more than in the MkIV. This results in a high level of fit and finish, improved body strength, crash protection, driving dynamics, and reduced interior noise.