Volkswagen Jetta Reviews

Graham Smith reviews the 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 VW Jetta as a used buy. A three-box version of the Golf, the Jetta is best driven with a clutch pedal. New VW cashed in on the soaring popularity of the Golf by adding a bootlid and rear window in 2006 and calling the variant the Jetta. For all intents and

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Graham Smith road tests and reviews the used Volkswagen Jetta 2009 - 2011.

June 30 is D-Day. The end of the financial year is the best time to buy a new car because there are always special deals in showrooms. As carmakers and dealers aim to clear their outdated stock, Toyota uses a June push to cement its showroom leadership. Some of the special deals are on cars that have done demonstrator duty, or were built in 2012, or are just not selling as well as expected. So they're not the tastiest fruit in the bowl.But there is great buying across the board as demand for new cars fuels one of the longest growth periods in motoring. The bottom line is that you can save money -- and lots of it. So here's a look at the June sales, with Carsguide's assessment of the best deals on wheels.CITROENThe new importer is pushing hard so the Aircross SUV starts at $31,990 drive-away front-wheel drive or $33,990 with AWD, a saving of $3800. There's $5000 off the C4 Seduction turbo diesel auto hatch at $25,990. Carsguide says: The Aircross isn't great, but the C4 discount is tasty.FORDThe death notice for the Falcon and Territory has not helped buyer confidence but a 2.9 per cent finance push on Fiesta and Focus still looks good. The superseded Kuga SUV from $31,990 drive-away is a $10,000 saving. You can save about $3000 on a 2012 Escape SUV from $27,990 drive-away.The Territory gets a $6500 tickle, the TX seven-seater at $38,490 drive-away (third-row seat usually costs $2500). The impressive Mondeo liftback starts at $29,990. Good buying on Falcons, thanks to the arrival of the VF Commodore, from $33,990 and better if you haggle.HOLDENAs the VF Commodore creates queues, the outgoing Z-Series starts at $34,990 with five years' warranty and roadside assist. That also applies to the SV6 at $35,990 and the Cruze SRi and SRi-V at $23,490 and $26,990. Last year's Barina CD hatches are $15,990 drive-away with a sunroof. The Colorado is $39,990. Hard to see past the excellent Cruze SRi.HONDAClipped prices and free on-roads. The City VTi sedan is $17,990 and the (slightly) more lavish VTi-L automatic version starts at $21,990. The bigger Civic sedan is being cleared from $21,990. Free auto on the Jazz VTi at $19,990. The Civic is worth a look at $2500 off.KIAFree on-roads, discounts and $1000 gift vouchers on many models. A five-door Rio S is about $3K off at $15,990 drive-away with a $500 gift card; the three-door Rio is $14,990 and the five-door Si is $18,990. Runout Cerato TD sedans start at $17,990 for the S, saving about $5000, the Si sedan is $23,990 and hatch at $17,990. All get a $1000 gift card. Cerato SLi and SLS have drive-away pricing but miss the gift card. All Optimas have free on-roads. A 2012-build Optima Platinum is $37,990, saving about $4000 with a $1000 gift card. Most Sportage SUVs include on-roads and a $1000 gift card. Carnival and superseded Rondo pricing is drive-away. The Sportage diesel and Optima are top-notch.MITSUBISHIThe manual Lancer gets an old-school value pack on the Special Action Model for $19,990 drive-away. The Mirage is $12,990 drive-away for the ES manual, with a $500 cash-back that also applies to the auto.Driveaway prices also for the compact ASX at $24,990 for the 2WD manual, the Outlander LS 2WD auto at $29,990, Pajero GLX-R auto at $54,990 or $59,990 for VRX. Both come plus $3000 cash-back, saving about $6000.The Triton ute is now tackling Great Wall from China at $19,990 drive-away for a GL single-cab 2WD with alloy tray, or add luxury for a GLX dual-cab 4WD diesel at $31,990 drive-away with $2000 cash-back, saving about $14,000. The utes look good at those prices.NISSANA 2.9 per cent finance package, with agreed value after three years, makes the Pulsar ST sedan look good at $49 a week or $19,990 drive-away. The X-Trail ST 2WD petrol manual cops a $4000 reduction to $25,990 drive-away, while the Navara RX 4WD dual-cab manual is cheaper than ever with a $9500 cut to $30,990 drive-away. The Pulsar sedan deal is attractive.OPELThere are drive-away deals across the range. The basic Corsa is down by about $2500 to $16,990 drive-away, the Astra is from $22,990 drive-away for the 1.4-litre turbo petrol hatch with three years of free servicing, saving about $5500. The top-line Insignia sedan is from $39,990 drive-away with heated leather seats. The Astra is easily best of this breed.PEUGEOTFree on-roads at Peugeot on most models but not the cool new 208. The 4008 SUV cops a $1500 saving from $29,990 drive-away and there are deals on the outgoing 4007. Nothing to see here.RENAULTA Koleos from $26,990 drive-away looks even better with interest-free finance. The Megane hatch is from $22,990 drive-away with finance pegged at 1.9 per cent. The slow-selling Fluence and Latitude sedans are available with 2.9 per cent finance. The Megane CC convertible goes from $43,990 including on-roads. The sporty Clio RS is from $34,990 drive-away and the hotrod Megane RS has 2.9 per cent finance.Commercial deals start with the short-wheelbase Kangoo petrol manual with dual sliding doors from $20,990 drive-away, moving up to the Trafic short-wheelbase manual for $29,990 and the long-wheelbase manual for $32,990, while the Master large van starts from $46,990 drive-away. There's a five-year/200,000km warranty on all light commercials ordered in June. Hard to argue against a $3000 bonus on the Koleos but stocks are tight.SUBARUDrive-away pricing -- for savings of $3000 to $4000 -- is the bait, with Impreza pricing from $23,990 (excluding the WRX, of course). The Tribeca from $54,990 now includes on-roads but you need to visit a dealer to get the full story. Nothing outstanding.SUZUKIThe front-drive SX4 gets a Navigator pack with voice-controlled 6.6-inch satnav with Bluetooth for $19,990 drive-away for the manual and $21,990 auto. That also applies to the 2WD auto Grand Vitara at $29,990 drive-away, including reversing camera and satnav with Bluetooth. The Alto GL manual also gets satnav for $11,990 drive-away for the manual, with the Swift GL manual at $17,490 drive-away including cruise control and Bluetooth. The Grand Vitara is a polished piece.TOYOTAThere's 2.9 per cent finance on Aurion and Camry with the Camry Altise looking best at $29,990 drive-away. Other drive-away deals include $15,990 for the Yaris YR five-door, $21,490 for the Corolla Ascent automatic, $39,990 for the Kluger KX-R 2WD five-seater, $60,990 for the Prado GXL turbo diesel auto and $39,990 for the HiLux SR 4WD dual-cab ute. The right time for the cabbies' new favourite, the frugal hybrid Camry.VOLKSWAGENDrive-away pricing on passenger cars and zero finance on commercials. The Polo is $16,990 on-road, the Jetta is down to $25,990 and the Passat $36,690. The Polo is Carsguide's 2010 COTY.VOLVOFuel and servicing for three years or 60,000km plus roadside assistance. There are conditions -- with a pre-paid BP card based on 15,000km a year and $1.50 a-litre pricing -- and the latest V40 hatch is excluded. Clever twist on bargaining but a pity it doesn't apply to the V40.Paul Gover's 10 COMMANDMENTSYou must still do your homework. You must still check the fine print. You must still be prepared to haggle and compromise.But do it right, crunching the numbers and running right to the dealer's deadline, and you can drive away in something special at a special price.The starting point is all the deals, from sticker specials to cheap finance and steak knife-style free extras, being offered by most of the 60-plus brands in showrooms today.If something you want is on special, go for it. But check that the car was built in 2013, and is not a geriatric old-timer from 2012, and ensure your target is exactly what you want - not a stripped-out stocker, perhaps missing an automatic gearbox - that will cost thousands to get the way you want it.Once you lock down a target, don't think the advertised special is the end of the deal. You also need to negotiate for a better price on delivery and on-road costs, and avoid the trap of buying over-priced extras such as paint and upholstery protection, window tinting and extra-long warranties.No-one can expect to go into the ring with a showroom professional and expect to win, because buyers only get a new car occasionally and sales staff are dealing every day. But, by concentrating on the real bottom line - the changeover price - and being prepared to compromise, you can come out ahead.The best tips are the simplest. Run as close as you can to June 30 to sign the deal and get the car, because dealers are all aiming for targets that can mean tens of thousands in bonus money from headquarters. Also be prepared to take a car they have in stock, even if it's not your favourite colour, because dealers are aiming to clear everything they have on the lot.And have your finance in place before you arrive, especially if you're taking up a special deal, because that makes things quicker and you'll also be spared any hassle and potential extra costs.Watch out for 2012 cars because the warranty clock has already been running, don't forget that a big discount today will also mean less at changeover time, and remember that a demonstrator car could have had a hard life already. 

Volkswagen Golf, a solid and sensible German car, is a major player in the European car market and in the last decade has made its mark in Australia as well.Those who need a practical car, but who enjoy driving will find the Golf goes a long way towards meeting each of these conflicting needs. Golf is a pleasant car to drive with good handing and sharp steering feel to let you get involved in what the car is doing, and with plenty of road grip even when pushed hard.These cars remain comfortable even on rough bush roads, though they are more at home in the suburbs than the far outback. These days Golf is a medium-sized car, having grown in size over the years, mainly to provide the extra space needed for occupant crash protection.There's some more interior room as well. In Europe, Golf is often seen as a full-sized car and it’s not unusual to see them carting four large adults about.Aussies tend to regard them more as transport for a family with preteen children, but if you live in an inner city area in Melbourne of Sydney you may need nothing more than a Volkswagen Golf to fill all your motoring needs.Golf is sold as a three- or five-door door hatchback. A ‘Golf’ four-door sedan was called the Bora from 1999 until the launch of the fifth generation model in 2005, when it was renamed Jetta. Boot space is substantially better than in the hatches and the four-door models are certainly worth consideration.VW Golf Cabriolet was sold until 2003. It has good roll-over protection for an open-top car and still offers a reasonable amount of space in the back seat. Access to the boot is difficult due to the odd location of the hinges. The Cabriolet was replaced by the New Beetle Cabriolet, but in a surprise move, VW reintroduced the Golf Cabriolet in 2012.Engines come in various guises: petrol and diesel; with four-, five- and six-cylinder units. Four-cylinder petrol engines are the most common, coming in capacities of 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 litres. The 1.6 will suit most drivers, but those who like to drive hard may find it a bit dull. The 1.4-litre is a brilliant, relatively recent, design and the little turbo unit provides performance with economy.Volkswagen in Australia started a big push in the diesel field several years ago and these engines are now far more common than in the past. With capacities of 1.6, 1.9 and 2.0 litres they provide plenty of grunt and turbo lag isn’t too bad.Those who enjoy a really good drive should consider the VW Golf GTi. A fun machine for the keen driver, it’s rapidly becoming regarded as a classic in the Australian hot-hatch market.Then there's the Golf R range of extreme hotshots. These traditionally had a large V6 engine – 3.2 litres in a smallish car gives plenty of performance. These are tagged as Golf R32. The latest model, launched in 2011, takes a different tack, going for 2.0 litres and a high-pressure turbo. Disguising the smaller size of the engine is the change of name to simply Golf R.Six-speed manuals arrived with the fifth-generation Golfs in 2004 and are popular on the used scene. The DSG gearbox, also launched in 2004, is a self-shifting manual gearbox. It provides far better performance than the old-style four-speed automatics used until 2004.This VW is a relatively easy car to work on and spare parts are not overly expensive. The dealer network has expanded from a low point during the mid-1990s and nowadays we hear very few complaints about parts availability or servicing.Insurance charges are about average for an imported European vehicle on most Golf and Jetta models. The high-performance Golf GTi may attract higher premiums, the Golf R32 and Golf R almost certainly will.Interiors generally stand up well, but some older Golfs that have been kept in the open continuously may suffer from sun-dried dashboard tops. Feel and look for uneven tyre wear, particularly on the front wheels.Look for scrapes on the bottom edges of the front mudflaps, they will often drag on the ground if the car has been cornered hard. New mudflaps could be a suspicious sign. Engines should start quickly. Listen for untoward engine noises, especially when it’s cold.Look for smoke from the exhaust when the engine is driven hard, particularly on long uphill runs. Make sure a manual gearbox doesn’t crunch on fast downchanges.Check that dual-clutch transmissions are positive in their shifts and don't hesitate too much at very low speeds. Be sure the brakes pull the car up evenly. If ABS is fitted you should feel a pulsing through the pedal during hard stops.Rust isn’t common in Golfs and is more likely to be the result of bad crash repairs than vehicle design. If you do come across any have the car inspected professionally or pass it up for another one.If there’s a problem in a used car get it fixed before you buy it. Don’t fall for the sales persons’ trick of saying you can bring it back later and everything will be sorted out then. It can be a lot harder then...

Skoda Octavia 103TDI and Volkswagen Jetta 103TDI go head-to-head in this comparative review.

VW Jetta 147 TSI and Kia Optima Platinum gp head-to-head in this comparative review.

GOING it alone should pay dividends for the shyest of the Volkswagen family, the Jetta. No longer is it simply a Golf with a boot. It now comes as a standalone sedan in its own right. New from the wheels up, and longer and taller than a Golf, the Jetta has smooth, unobtrusive lines and balanced proportions that resemble a scaled-down Passat, which is just 25mm longer. On the road it is not as engaging to drive as a Golf but performs with undemanding maturity, poise and discipline. The interior looks and feels bigger than a Golf. It has its own dash design and layout, although it retains familiar controls and instruments.It has a huge boot and a full-size spare on most models.VALUEThere are now five models, instead of seven, and three engines, instead of five, including one manual and four with direct shift gearboxes.They are the 118TSI manual at $26,490 (auto seven-speed DSG $28,900), the 118TSI Comfortline with DSG at $32,490, the 103TDI Comfortline with six-speed DSG at $34,990 and the 147TSI Highline six-speed DSG at $37,990.The 118 comes with six airbags, stability control, airconditioning, Bluetooth, USB connection, cruise control, multi-function display, multi-function steering wheel, day lights, heated mirrors with indicator lights, six-way driver's seat adjustment, 16-inch steel wheels and a full-sized spare.It also has CISS, a crash impact sound sensor system that "hears'' the sound waves of an impact and speeds up airbag inflation. The 103TDI Comfortline adds 16-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors, auto headlights and wipers and folding mirrors.TECHNOLOGYThe entry level model, a 118TSI, is about $4500 less than the previous range-starter, the less powerful 77TDI. On test were the manual 118TSI and automatic 103TDI. The manual brings out the best in the 1.4-litre turbocharged and supercharged petrol power plant. It is a cracker of an engine, armed with such instant and linear thrust that it feels much bigger in capacity. Output is 118kW and 240Nm, comparable to a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine. Acceleration from rest to 100km/h is a claimed 8.3-seconds in the manual and auto. Yet it is miserly on fuel, returning 6.5l/100km on the combined cycle, using 95 RON fuel.The gearshift is slick and, although the clutch uptake could be more progressive, it does come with a hill holder. Well proven in a long line of VWs, the 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel is strong and willing and all but silent on the move. Output is 103kW and 320Nm and is perfectly matched to the six-speed DSG, which is more refined than earlier versions, with less hesitation when engaging drive and reverse. A determination to shift into the tallest gear as early as possible helps deliver frugal fuel use of 5.5l/100km.DRIVINGThe interior, like the exterior, is understated but is comprehensively equipped and flawlessly finished, with quality soft-touch dash trim and clear and logical instruments and controls. No gimmicks or flashy styling, it is just elegant, warm and inviting. The longer wheelbase gives the Jetta a firm yet more compliant ride than its predecessor and handling that is confident and composed with high levels of grip. Steering is accurate and nicely weighted. Seating is firm and supportive and best for four -- although three slim adults will squeeze into the rear at a pinch. Head room in the rear is ample and the visibility through the side glass is unimpeded, as is rear vision for the driver. There is ample storage in the centre console, doors and cup holder slots. The rear seat has a fold down armrest with cup holders and a ski port. The backrests split fold, although not to a flat floor, and the opening through to the deeper boot is partially restricted by the bulkhead.  While the Jetta is not styled to startle in a competitive market, it is a polished performer with plenty of intrinsic value.VOLKSWAGEN JETTAPrice: From $26,490 to $37,990Warranty: Three years, unlimited kmEngines: Supercharged and turbocharged 1.4-litre (118kW/240Nm), 2.0-litre  turbodiesel (103kW/320Nm), 2.0-litre turbo petrol (147kW/280Nm)Body: Four-door sedanTransmission: Six-speed manual (1.4 only), seven-speed DSG (1.4 only) six-speed DSG (2.0-litre diesel and petrol engines)Thirst: 6.5 litres/100km 150g/km (1.4-litre petrol manual), 5.5 litres/100km, 143g/km CO2 (2.0-litre diesel), 7.9 litres/100km 183g/km (2.0-litre petrol)weeklytimesnow     Mat Watson road tests and reviews the VW Jetta.   

GTI, R, even a GT - all hot little numbers from the Volkswagen hatchback range, worthy pocket rockets guaranteed to elicit foolish grins. But what of those looking to fly under the radar - here's VW's solution, the conservatively-styled Jetta 147 Highline sedan, that can negotiate suburbia surreptitiously or be indulged in less mundane motoring. In many ways the GTI has been morphed into TSI, but with a boot.VALUEThe Highline range-topper is a six-speed DSG-only proposition that is keenly priced at $37,990, down by $1000 compared to the slightly-heavier heavier outgoing model. The features list is well-stocked for the money, with automatic halogen (but not xenons of any sort) headlights, with washers and accompanied by front fog lights with cornering lights.There's also 17in alloy wheels, controlled by sports suspension (with a 15mm lower ride height), cruise control, leather trim, heated front sports seats (with neat little storage space within), a touchscreen-operated satnav and sound system with SD slot, CD stacker, Bluetooth audio and phone link, wheel-mounted controls for the sound system, phone and trip computer, heat-insulated glass and rear vents among the features list.TECHNOLOGYWhat better place to start than the heart of the Clayton's GTI sedan - the two-litre turbocharged and intercooled direct-injection double overhead cam four-cylinder engine. Pumping out 147kW at a leisurely 5100rpm and 280Nm from 1700rpm, the power number might be unchanged compared to the outgoing model and 8kW down on the $5000 more-expensive GTI hatch, but it's still no slouch away from the line and would only be a whisker behind the13kg lighter hot hatch sibling.Claimed fuel use of 7.9 litres per 100km from the flexible little engine, teamed with a six-speed twin-clutch automated manual, belies the feisty and flexible nature - VW says 100km/h comes up in 7.5 seconds and that's not hard to believe.DESIGNSharp, clean, conservative - Volkswagen's new medium car is hardly adventurous on the outside, with strong but straight lines and conventional styling front and rear. Body-coloured mirrors, bumpers and handles, dual chrome-tipped exhaust - it's a clean-cut look but aesthetics that don't put it on the cutting edge of design. The new model is 4744mm long, an increase of 190mm over the old car, 55mm of which is in the wheelbase.The cabin follows the same path - function over form for the most part, but plenty of storage space, ample passenger space (four adults are easily accommodated) and a large 510-litre boot (even when a full-size spare is on board) will swallow a boatload of luggage. You'd have to think long and hard before heading up to a Passat.SAFETYThe new Jetta scores a five-star Euro NCAP rating and is equipped with six airbags as standard (dual front and front-side, full-length side-curtain airbags), as well as traction and stability control (which you can't turn off), anti-lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, emergency brake assist and hill start assist.Daytime running lights, static corner front foglights and automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, heated and power-adjustable exterior mirrors, front and rear parking sensors all add up to a solid safety package.DRIVINGA brat in choirboy's clothing is a quick way of summing up the 147TSI, but that's just the start - this is a genuine little rocket but one that hides its light under several bushels. D for daily drudgery on the DSG and light throttle pedal will sling the Jetta through the traffic quickly and quietly, easily keeping pace with the traffic.The ride is firm, abrupt over sharper imperfections that fight with the larger 45-profile tyres, but it's not so hard that you couldn't drive it every day. The cabin is austere but comfortable, although the front sports seats could do with a little more lateral support, and here's why.Get the Jetta away from the daily grind and somewhere with some bends, bump the shifter into Sports mode and it sheds the cardigan, spools up boost pressure and gets on with covering ground very quickly.Body control is a strong point and once working nearer its optimum, the Jetta carves through bends with little fuss front end - the electronic nursemaids don't get in the way too soon, which is fortuitous as they can't be deactivated.VERDICTIf a hot hatch Golf GTI has too much flash and a little less cash is a fairer asking price in your mind, then the Jetta 147 is going to hold plenty of appeal. Not the sexiest, not the newest and conservatively styled (at the very least), the Jetta will impress once behind the wheel.

Why is it that air weighs nothing but as soon as it starts moving, it can blow an umbrella inside out, cause seas to send ships off course and even destroy buildings.Please don't expect and answer from me. I am too busy wondering while Volkswagen would even consider picking wind names for its cars. A range of yachts, yes. Kites and wind turbines, even.I won't crudely suggest that the name of wind from animals be applied to a new Volkswagen model but there's not many options left. Renault has come close - Fluence - and Daimler made a Dart. For now, at least, it's a Volkswagen Jetta.VALUEThe Jetta is an extension of the Golf but is so close to the Passat that it could create buyer indecision on the same showroom floor. The test car costs $26,490 as a six-speed manual - which you'd upspec to an auto without thinking - which frankly makes it feel like a cheap car.Then there's the dreary all-black dashboard with as much life as a burnt stick. List the features - including that sparkling 1.4-litre engine - and the Jetta 118TSI redeems itself. But the delivery is poor and it looks very basic against similarly priced rivals.DESIGNCertain people prefer sedans, citing their more conservative and less abrupt styling as being more elegant. More pragmatic buyers cite the isolation of the cabin and the boot as being safer - especially in ice-cold climates where occupants would incur the freezing air while the boot lid was open.The Jetta is liberal in its accommodation and thanks to the huge boot, is an excellent case for a sedan. The styling is neat but too conservative to accurately reflect the sticker price. The cabin is simple - which I applaud - but needs some spice to resurrect it from deco 1970s Ukraine.TECHNOLOGYBig news here is the 1.4-litre engine that blends a supercharger with a turbocharger. The former works from idle to 3500rpm, and the turbo from about 3000rpm up. It makes a little engine perform like stink though, when you're off the heat, sip like a bird. It's a brilliant package with a price - it hasn't proven to be especially reliable.Volkswagen Australia is repairing busted engines and a cure has been found. Remember this engine is complex and needs regular, professional servicing. Jetta gets four-link rear suspension (some global markets get a less supple torsion beam) and electric steering.SAFETY Jetta has a five-star crash rating and comes with the full suite of safety equipment, including electronic stability control that from January 1, 2012 is mandatory on all Australian passenger cars. There are six airbags and the spare wheel is full size.DRIVINGThe six-speed manual version indicates it's aimed at the owner who enjoys the art of driving. He - or she - will have to go back to school to learn that the dual-clutch automatic version (DSG in VW-speak) is quicker and more fuel efficient. Regardless, the manual box is slick and the bottom four ratios wring the best from the broad and seemingly endless supply of power from that tiny engine.Remarkable. The top two cogs are for touring and even slight inclines will demand a downshift to fifth. Handling is very precise and the body stays flat. It will tend to understeer (as most cars do) but there's sufficient warning and it's a progressive action.I reckon the electric-assist steering is close to spot-on for the suburban, near-city driving conditions expected of this car. I was peeved that at 100km/h on the digital readout the analogue was showing 107km/h which is speeding fine material if you're looking at the wrong dial (the Jetta has two).VERDICTThis ticks most of the boxes but you'd want a bit of colour in the gloom of the cabin. The DSG auto is far better than the manual.