Teresa’s View
Just because you’ve grown up, doesn’t mean you have to act like it. There’re plenty of examples, but today we will examine the newly redesigned Volkswagen Jetta. It’s been 25 years since its cute little grille landed on our shores. Today it’s less a “bop-around-town-devil-may-care-party-animal” and more of a “bop-around-town-youthish-adult who-still-has-a-bit-of-an-attitude.”
The new Jetta is bigger, more powerful and loaded with cool, new technology inside and out. Its overall length has increased by a whopping 7 inches and it’s a bit wider, too. The back seat and trunk are the main benefactors of the extra room.
Don’t expect the new silhouette to knock your socks off. Designers maintained the traditional wedge shape, but, to me, it looks pinched at the top and way too rounded. Without looking at the grille, most folks would be hard pressed to pick out the Jetta in a parking lot full of Toyota Corollas and Honda Civics.
That’s not to say the Jetta is made for “appliance motoring,” as in “just get me where I’m going.” No, baby. This is still an enthusiast’s car for folks who love to drive.
Acceleration is remarkably quick thanks to a nearly 40 percent increase in the engine’s torque – that pulling sensation you feel as you gather speed. A new suspension system, high-tech steering system and a new optional six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic and sport mode selection round out some of the technical highlights.
Safety’s been a big story for the Jetta. It recently received the best score ever in a side-impact crash test performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The excellent ratings reflect, in part, the new, extremely rigid body structure and a car-full of safety standard features including rear-view mirrors with integrated blinkers.
The Jetta is being released in stages. First comes the 2.5-liter, 150-horsepower, five-cylinder engine – that’s a 30-percent improvement in raw power over the previous base model – followed by a 1.9-liter, four-cylinder diesel TDI Jetta with VeeDub’s innovative transmission called DSG. It’s an automated manual transmission system with the efficiency and economy of a manual and the ease of operation of an automatic. Later in the year, a 200-hp, 2.0-liter gas version will be available. VW even promises a new Jetta wagon – eventually.
What Is It?: The fifth-generation VW Jetta is an affordably priced, 5-passenger compact sedan. The Value Edition sells for $18K.
Gadget Rating: 6.5 out of 10. The interior is elegant and practical and the gadgets are ergonomic, with one exception – the “Seek” button should be closer to the driver. Navigation is not an available option; VW reps say it could be offered in 2006.
Favorite Feature: Long a standard on luxury cars, rain-sensing wipers adjust their speed depending on the amount of rain falling on the windshield.
Recommended Fuel: Regular unleaded.