2006-2010 Volkswagen Jetta

2006-2010 Volkswagen Jetta

USED CAR REVIEW

Jetta is entertaining in city or highway driving.

The Jetta’s eye-catching styling complements its cachet as a German-engineered ride.

HISTORY

Since 1975, the Volkswagen Jetta’s conservative design has countered the similarly sized Golf hatchback’s more youthful nature, although both shared most of their mechanical and structural components.

A second-generation Jetta came along in the mid-1980s, followed by the Jetta III model in mid-1993 (The III suffix was dropped for 1994).

A fourth-generation Volkswagen Jetta sedan was launched in late 1998, with a wagon derivative joining the fleet in mid-2001.

An all-new fifth-generation 2006 sedan appeared in early calendar 2005, followed by the Jetta SportWagen for the 2009 model year.

A larger and lower-priced Jetta sedan showed up for the 2011 model year while the SportWagen carried on unchanged.

THE GOOD STUFF

Jetta offered high-quality German-engineered fit and finish at a far more affordable price than the BMW 3-Series, Audi A4 or Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan. It was also the largest Jetta to date, with plenty of passenger room and a particularly cavernous trunk.

Both the base 2.5-litre five-cylinder gasoline engine and the optional turbocharged 2.0- litre gasoline turbo provided lively acceleration, as did the clean-burning 2007-2010 turbo-diesel (TDI), which also provided excellent fuel economy. Base models arrived well equipped, while several available packages added considerable content but inflated the price tag.

HEADS UP!

The initial 100-horsepower turbo-diesel Jetta excelled at fuel efficiency, but it was terribly slow. A much better choice was the 140-horse TDI or any of the gasoline powerplants.

The Jetta’s other Achilles heel was its reputation for sub-par reliability and high repair costs. Wind noise around the front window pillar and door seals was also a problem.

Note that the sporty GLI offered excellent handling and flat high-speed-cornering grip, but at the expense of an extra-stiff ride.

The substantial size increase of the 2011 model is confirmation of the tight interior quarters of the 2006-2010 Jettas.

OVERALL

A well-maintained, low-mileage Jetta should make for entertaining city or highway driving. Its cavernous trunk is particularly useful on long trips. Turbo-diesel models have a reputation for fuel efficiency as well as long service life. The Jetta’s eye-catching styling complements its cachet as a German-engineered ride.

VITALS

Engines: 1.9-litre SOHC I4 turbo-diesel (100 hp, 2006); 2.0-litre DOHC I4, turbocharged (200 hp); 2.5-litre DOHC I5 (150-170 hp); 2.0-litre DOHC I4, turbo-diesel (140 hp, 2007-’10)

Transmissions: Five-speed manual; six-speed manual; six-speed automatic; six-speed automated manual

Layout: Front-engine, front-wheel drive

Body: Four-door sedan; four-door wagon.

PRICES AT A GLANCE

The Jetta commands healthy resale values, especially thrifty turbo- diesel models currently in demand due to high pump prices. Expect to also pay a premium for loaded GLI models.

Model year Approx. price range*

Model year	Approx. price range*
2006 Volkswagen Jetta	$15,500-$21,000
2007 Volkswagen Jetta	$16,500-$23,500
2008 Volkswagen Jetta	$18,000-$25,000
2009 Volkswagen Jetta	$19,000-$26,500
2010 Volkswagen Jetta	$19,500-$26,000

*The low end of a given price range represents higher-mileage, low- option vehicles. Prices as of March 2011.

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