First Drive: 2011 Volkswagen Jetta

2011 Volkswagen Jetta. Click image to enlarge

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2011 Volkswagen Jetta

San Francisco, California – Scheduled for its official Canadian debut on September 27, 2010, the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta features an all-new body and interior, new platform, a choice of three engines, and new, lower pricing.

Completely redesigned, the Mexico-built, front-wheel drive Jetta sports a new grille, redesigned headlights/foglights, side character line, new tail lights and improved aerodynamics. At 4,628 millimetres, it’s the longest Jetta ever, gaining 73 mm over the outgoing model. In a departure from past practice, the 2011 Jetta uses a different platform from the Volkswagen Golf. It also boasts more shoulder and rear legroom compared with the outgoing model, and, according to Volkswagen Canada, best-in-class trunk capacity.

2011 Volkswagen Jetta. Click image to enlarge

Not only will the price be lower, but the positioning of the Jetta in the Volkswagen line-up will also change with the Jetta becoming the entry-level vehicle for the Volkswagen brand in North America, rather than the Golf. According to Volkswagen Canada President John White, the company regards the launch of the 2011 Jetta to be its most significant since the debut of the New Beetle ten years ago. The company expects to sell 24,000 Jettas in Canada in the 2011 model year.

Entry level pricing for the 2011 Jetta will be a surprisingly low $15,875 plus $1,365 Freight/PDI for the Jetta Trendline with five-speed manual transmission. This price doesn’t include air conditioning and remote keyless entry however, which Volkswagen Canada indicates are the choice of 90 per cent of Jetta buyers. Consequently, a more representative “base” price would be supplied by the $17,275 Trendline+ which includes air conditioning and keyless remote. Including Freight/PDI, the price would total $18,650, or $20,650 for the same vehicle with six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic.

There will be eight engine/trim Jetta configurations available, plus options, providing a broad range of models from which to choose. Simplifying the buying experience, the range of vehicles is based around the three engines, which include a 115-horsepower 2.0-litre, inline-four cylinder, the 170 hp 2.5-litre inline-five cylinder, and the 140 hp inline-four cylinder diesel engine (TDI).

2011 Volkswagen Jetta. Click image to enlarge

Available configurations for the 2.0L car include the $15,875 Trendline, $17,275 Trendline+ and $19,075 Comfortline. For the 2.5L car you can choose the $21,175 Comfortline, $23,300 Sportline and $23,980 Highline; and the TDI arrives in two variations: the $23,875 Comfortline and $26,655 Highline (although the TDI’s manual transmission is a six-speed) – all prices plus Freight/PDI and $1400 for the automatic transmission.

According to Volkswagen Canada Product Strategist Edgar Oliver, the “volume seller” is expected to be the $20,475 2.0L Comfortline with automatic transmission.

Without going into details for all the vehicle choices, standard equipment includes front and side impact airbags with side curtains, 60/40 split folding rear seats, electronic stability control, tilt/telescoping steering column, power door locks, power windows and single CD player with auxiliary input.

Depending on the trim level selected, a power sunroof, multimedia package and leather upholstery are available separately, as are 17-inch wheels and a commendably inexpensive Navigation system ($890).

One feature missing from some 2011 Jetta models is four-wheel disc brakes, now available only on the 2.5L Jetta Sportline and Highline, and on the TDI models. Four-wheel disc brakes have been standard equipment on all Golf and Jetta models for the past decade.

2011 Volkswagen Jetta. Click image to enlarge

We drove a U.S. specification SEL model, which is equivalent to the Canadian Highline, powered with the 2.5L engine in both five-speed manual and six-speed automatic specification. The test vehicles were also equipped with 17-inch wheels that are similar, but not exactly the same, as those that will be available in Canada.

The good news is that the Jetta maintains its distinctive driving dynamics, generating a particular feeling of solidity and stability that has characterized Volkswagen products for many years. In city driving it is nimble and quiet; at highway speeds it settles into a satisfying long-distance gait. In both environments the steering is sharp but not sudden, the suspension firm but not harsh, the brakes responsive but not aggressive. In other words, it is a well-balanced and refined automobile.

2011 Volkswagen Jetta. Click image to enlarge

The good news continues inside the Jetta, with generous shoulder room and impressive rear legroom. The trunk — always a Jetta strength — is huge. At 440 litres (15.5 cu. ft.) it exceeds competitors like the Honda Civic and Mazda3 by 100 litres. It is equivalent in volume to the trunk of the midsize 2011 Hyundai Sonata, which has one of the largest in that segment.

Instruments are clear white on black, easy to read and give the impression of precision and quality. Controls are sensibly arranged, easily reached and simple to operate. Interior fit and finish of the Highline model is reminiscent of the excellent Audi interiors: functional, not gaudy, somewhat minimalist. However, one person’s minimalist is another’s basic, and I wouldn’t want to see much less in the lower-priced models.

Criticisms are few, but they include the inconsistent performance of the navigation system which seems located too low in the centre stack, doesn’t verbalize street names in its instructions, and was sometimes slow to provide those instructions.

Volkswagen has finally relented and supplied a lever instead of the European-style knob for seatback adjustment. Some may cheer; others will lament the lack of precision in the lever action.

The interior door panels seem to be something of a plastic expanse, and the big trunk hinges are somewhat incongruous, as opposed to space-saving, better and more expensive struts. Available only with a black interior in the 2.0L cars, a smart two-tone black/beige interior is available in most 2.5L and TDI cars.

Regarding the exterior design, it seems a little less identifiable as a Volkswagen to me, although after seeing the car on the road for a while, that may change. The outgoing grille was only recently being presented as the future face of Volkswagen, but that face is already abandoned in favour of a plainer version with a headlamp style that is arguably more commonplace. The vehicle profile surely reminds one of an Audi, and the rear lights seem to copy those of the Audi A4. These are not objectionable shapes by any means, but it does tend to blur the distinction between the two marques.

2011 Volkswagen Jetta. Click image to enlarge

The 2.5L engine is powerful and smooth, but the five-speed manual transmission requires constant shifting to maintain speed in hilly terrain, with fifth a dedicated overdrive gear, and fourth not offering much torque either. The six-speed automatic is fine transmission with almost imperceptible shifts, but does seem sluggish off the line unless you apply an aggressive right foot.

I must say that I was mildly disappointed that the 2.0L engine was a carry-over (how else to maintain the low pricing?), as it has been around for many years. Fuel consumption has been reduced by a significant 9.4 per cent, and this engine has useful torque, but my experience is that it can be harsh under acceleration and noisy at speed. Maybe its character changes in the 2011 model, but that is yet to be determined.

What is certain is that the 2011 Jetta with the 2.0L engine will place the car in direct competition with other vehicles in this hotly contested segment, including the Honda Civic, Mazda3, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, Ford Focus and Toyota Corolla. Volkswagens are often considered too expensive (and rightly so) by compact-car buyers, but with this 2011 Jetta that doesn’t have to be the case.

Its big-car utility, sporty handling and German engineering should be sufficient to win additional buyers to the Volkswagen brand, although personally, you’d have a hard time prying me away from a Golf. However, sedans are indeed the popular choice.

Fuel consumption is as follows: