2011 Volkswagen Jetta – First Review
For decades, American car makers have been trying – with varying degrees of success – to design and build cars that are European. Now a German car maker, Volkswagen, has designed a German car, the 2011 Jetta, 
with a U.S. audience in mind.
In this case, the U.S. audience is one that might be considering a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla, but let’s not get caught up in details.
If recent sales figures are any indication, 27% of the 2011 Jettas sold will be diesels. Indeed, Volkswagen announced plans to quadruple its overall sales in the U.S. over the next eight years to 800,000. Currently 37% of Volkswagens sold in the U.S. are diesel and, if this figure holds, that would translate to ca. 296,000 diesel-powered VWs for 2018. (See Diesel Economics 200 for a complete discussion of diesel sales in the U.S.)
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We spent several days driving the new Jetta (both in diesel and petrol variants) in the Bay Area and we’ll report on that shortly. (The Diesel Driver was the only U.S.-based publication invited to drive the Jetta TDI at the launch.) 
Suffice it to say for now that Volkswagen has done an excellent job in engineering in more than sufficient Fahrvergnügen and typical Teutonic driving dynamics into the Jetta.
(Fahrvergnügen is a word coined by Volkswagen for use in several past U.S. advertising campaigns. It joins “Fahr” (from fahren, “to drive,” with Vergnügen, “pleasure,” to convey “driving pleasure.”)
For 2011, the Jetta has a new, sleek, elegant look that further differentiates it from the pack. It’s 2.9 inches longer and that translates to more room for the rear occupants as well as a more substantial appearance. It’s an upscale look (think Audi) and one that should resonate with VW purists and German car fans alike.
It’s the price, however, not the design, that’s intended to attract Civic and Corolla buyers.
For 2011, the base Jetta S starts at $15,995 (the 2010 Jetta S started at $17,605) and comes with a 115-hp, 2.0-liter petrol engine that once powered the third-generation Jetta back in 1993. It’s nicely equipped for that price, with a five-speed manual transmission, air conditioning, power windows and mirrors, anti-lock brakes, cloth upholstery, stability control, split folding rear seat, remote keyless entry, a four-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo with auxiliary input, and free maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles.
The Jetta S goes from 0-60 mph in 9.8 seconds (the automatic needs 11 seconds to get there) and uses 9.8 l/100 km (24 mpg) in the city and 6.9 l/100 km (34 mpg) on the highway.
The Jetta SE gets the current Golf and Jetta’s 170-hp, 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine. Fuel economy isn’t really impacted despite an improved 0-60 time of 8.2 seconds (8.5 for the automatic) and 177 pound-feet of torque: the Jetta SE uses 10.2 l/100 km (23 mpg) in the city and 7.1 l/100 km (33 mpg) on the highway (all figures cited thus far are for the manual gearbox). 
The SE also gets 16-inch wheels, cruise control, Volkswagen’s V-Tex leatherette upholstery, floor mats, body-colored outside mirrors with integrated turn signals, cruise control, illuminated vanity mirrors, a front center console with cupholders, a rear center armrest (also with two cupholders), interior lighting (glove box, vanity mirrors, reading lights), and chrome interior trim.
The SE will be priced at $18,955. The $1350 convenience package adds 16-inch aluminum wheels, Bluetooth, Sirius satellite radio, two more speakers for the stereo, iPod connectivity, heated seats and windshield washer nozzles, and a leather multi-function steering wheel. You can also add a sunroof and a touch-screen stereo with an SD card reader and built-in six-disc CD changer.
The SEL, starting at $21,395, gets all of the features of the SE plus 17-inch aluminum wheels, a touch-screen navigation system, chrome exterior trim, all-wheel disc brakes (the S and SE have drum brakes in the rear), and keyless access and push-button start. There’s a sport package with a stiffer suspension and sport seats for $23,755. You can also add a sunroof.
We’ve saved the best for last – as has Volkswagen, apparently: the Jetta TDI won’t be arriving until the end of the year. Click here to continue to page 2.
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[...] spent two days driving the new 2011 Volkswagen Jetta (see last month’s First Review for a detailed report on what’s new for the 2011 Jetta). First I drove the petrol-powered SEL [...]
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[...] in its home market, Germany, and sharing only basic components with the completely redesigned Jetta, is updated for 2011, getting a new front end that includes a narrow double-bar grille, angled [...]
Why do the interior pictures of this car show a 5-speed shift lever in a car equipped with a 6-speed gearbox?
Ok,ok,, I see that this article addresses all versions of the Jetta, not only the TDI model. That explains the photo discontinuity with the specification sheet. Entschuldigen Sie bitte!
Did you mention the girder beam rear axle instead of the very nice independent rear suspension? What about the addition of drum brakes in lieu of the solid discs that have been standard since the A4/MK4 chassis? It would be nice if VW designed a vehicle specifically for the American market and didn’t do so with the idea that we should get the most rudimentary mechanicals akin to our Yazoo lawn mowers. Heck, even my mower has disc brakes now that I think about it.
It would appear that the ‘dumbing down’ of the top selling European car has finally materialized. At least we can still get a Golf or Golf Wagon with the driving dynamics of a 21st century chariot. That rear suspension on the bottom basement jetta predates the Roman chariots for goodness sake.
WOW, looks nice EXCEPT…I don’t see the LED lighting, I live in Germany and this is getting more and more popular, the LED’s are more like driving lights and now are getting more of a curve to them. The latest is when you put your turn signal on, the LED’s dim a bit. AUDI has done an awesome job with this…so why is VW behind the curve on this one? The tail lights are not that impressive either….VW meet your brother Audi…you all need to talk and share ideas!!!!!
This car appears to be a product of de-contenting, you can see it throughout the car. Where are the steering wheel audio controls? When the price of a car is so low (comparatively speaking) you know that less is really less.
What will happen to the current Jetta sportwagen? Will it be rebadged as a Golf Sportwagen (which is what it really is). If VW came out with a new, larger Jetta sportwagen on this new body style it would be fantastic. However, it will still be de-contented.
Oh well, my two cents worth.
Test drove the new 2011 TDI Jetta this morning. Currently we have a 2010 TDI Jetta. Driving felt the same as the 2010 and the handling was tight. Disappointed that the Highline version with leather isn’t in yet. Really love the new look of the outside body, it was time for a change. The lower price is great incentive to buy this car but I am worried it is loosing it’s VW unique German quality. The seats felt less comfortable and there are some interior changes that made it look and feel cheap. Sorry but I would rather pay a few bucks to keep the German quality. Just my opinion though. This car is approx 3 inches longer and you can really feel the difference in the back seat, more leg room for sure, but the outside of the car doesn’t look bigger. I love the new style, just not some of the cheapness that appears in this car. Will most likely upgrade next year !!
Any updates as to when the TDI will be coming out? And how much more do we expect it to be?
That information has not yet been released.
VW is an odd company. How is it they stay in business in the US? The new Jetta is about as generic as it can get. I think its exterior is a disappointment. I’ll bet it’s prone to parking lot dings and sheet metal pocks. VW is niggardly about stocking new Golf/Rabbit models. Indeed, all this writing about VW diesels is just hype–ever since I can remember, this company has promised a TDI version “six months down the road”. What a crock! VW TDI’s are truly “a thinking man’s car” because the only realistic way to experience one, other than by reading about it in Automotive magazine, is to visualize a road test in your head.The TDI series should be called VW’s “phantom line”. I believe they are used as part of a “bait and switch” marketing canard. By the way, while we are talking about the not yet arrived 2011 VW TDI Jetta, shouldn’t we question why German Genius Engineering (GGE) failed to install a pitcock or drain valve on the gas tank? I’ve heard that if you mistakenly fill the car up with benzene rather than diesel fuel that there is no simple way to drain the tank short of ten grand ($10,000) for a new engine.
I like the Jetta. Glad that it now starts off at a lower price point. My only beef with VW is this. Why is it that when something needs to be fixed you feel like you have been blanked over. Ask a Honda Civic owner if they feel the same when they need to fix something?
Just picked up my new 2011 jetta TDI. Love this car so far. Upgraded from a 2004 Jetta TDI. I can’t really find a flaw in this car. I really really love the bluetooth phone setup. This is a very safe option for anyone. Navigation system is like others. Love the automatic 6 speed transmission. Can’t even feel it shift. Keyless start is actually cool. Keyless entry is also really nice. You just keep the key in your pocket, walk up to the door and it unlocks automatically. Get in and push the start button and your off. Phone rings, radio shuts off, punch a button on the steering wheel and answer. Need to make a call- press mic button on steering wheel say “call home” phone calls your house or whoever you want on your contact list. Its good and its safe! Great car!!
Well I have my Jetta 2011 for a few months and 5K miles. I had a 2001 TDI that gave me 283K miles before I felt it was time for a change. The new car has some really great features. The time for the glow plugs to heat up enough to start the car is great even in very cold weather. The engine really is so quiet that it is not very different than a gas engine. I really like that it is a bit larger than the previous model as well.
What is OK is the ride and handling. I think my previous car held the road much better as I felt very comfortable no matter what speed I was going, even as the suspension was not what it once was. The doors are so cheap sounding and open so easy that swinging it into another car or tree or wall is going to happen sooner or later. Love the satellite radio but wish it had some memory like my stand alone radio had.
Road noise is OK but the car whistles ones you get up to highway speed. The other Jetta’s engine was louder but on the highway I think it was far quieter. The new sunroof is interesting in how it works but I like the earlier one better and think it was also much larger.
As far as acceleration and the performance of the engine well that is so much better that if you have a heavy foot you will spin the tires in many situations. Even at very high highway speeds a very slight push on the pedal will result in enough acceleration that you will feel yourself being pushed into the seat.
There is no doubt that this is a cheapened version of what they used to build. I still think it is much better than most other comparably priced cars and given the sparsity of diesel engines it really is a great car.
Recently purchased the 2011 Jetta TDI, I have never owned a VW or Diesel automobile before so the 2011 model is my first impression of either. All things being equal to me, the engine makes this vehicle fantastic. New off the lot and I have already acheived better fuel economy than the EPA estimated, I expect even better results as the engine breaks in. To have the feel of a small gas V-6 and the economy of a hybrid, it really is impressive to me.
As for the quality of the vehicle, I can only hope that though the parts and/or designs used to make the Jetta more affordable are in fact cheaper/outdated, that the car itself is still being manufactured according to strict specifications and the quality of this new vehicle with some older equipment will not be hindered.
I am personally more than satisfied with the overall design and drive experience of this vehicle, the ride is smooth, little road noise, comfortable and ergonomic. Though the handling ability is slightly less than I expected the steering response is great (despite a downgrade in mechanics). This TDI Jetta is truly FUN to drive and even accomodates my family of 5 comfortably. (Yes, three children in car seats fit in the back). I am a very satisfied owner, overall this vehicle performs better than expected. However, I will be keeping a close eye on the supposed redesigned 2012 passat TDI, that could be a serious competitor in the US market against any sedan.
We purchased the 2011 Jetta TDI. Love the car except for two continuing problems: excessive wind noise – door and window seals have been replaced and door re-aligned. Chugging engine – apparently this is normal for this car but it is not enjoyable at all, especially for passengers. the car hesitates then responds, chugs at slower speeds with a slow response and then the response? At 50 mph the engines “misses”. the gas mileage is wonderful, the accessories are simple but nice but the road noise and engine performance is poor to say the least.
I’ve just purchased a 2011 VW Jetta TDI. Over all I like the car but am having some problems. I can’t get the volume of my phone calls consistent with the radio volume. I have to turn the volume all the way up to hear the person I’m talking with on the other end of the phone and when the call is terminated the radio comes back on with the volume so loud it hurts your ears. Probably my ignorance, but I have not been able to resolve it. Also, my fuel economy is no where close to advertised. Any suggestions?
Oh yes.
Road noise.
I don’t know if its the tires or chassis feedback but road noise is definately a problem.
I too am having a hard time with the radio control volume and cell phone control volume.
Sometimes there is a wind whistle on the hightway.
At first I thought it was the turbo but don’t think so.
Just purchased the 2011 Jetta TDI, 6 Speed Manual Transmission…. Love the drive…had to trade in a 2010 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited because of gas consumption(17 MPG Average), I seen the MPG on this new Jetta and was sold instantly….After my first Gas Tank fill up, after 654 Miles(i had driven 25 miles after the “Low Fuel” light came on)I no longer missed the Jeep.. Averaged about 47 Miles per gallon which is significantly more than advertised…. Very Happy Buyer….
Electronics work great and Radio is Very simple to use, atleast with the IPOD hard wired in with a special cord included with purchase
Does anyone know if the 2012 Jetta TDI SportWagen will be “de-contented” like the 2011 Jetta Sedan was? I am in the market for one, and I would be willing to wait to (hopefully) get a better deal on a 2011 when the 2012′s arrive later this year. Of course, if they are de-contented, that would be much more difficult to do. Any thoughts, comments, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated and thanks in advance!
I did a lot of research before deciding to buy my first brand new car. I’m 35 years old and needed a car that got good/great fuel economy. As most of us are, I wanted a reliable car; a solid car that I could drive for years to come. I have a 30 mile commute to work and do a good deal of highway/city driving. I decided to buy the 2011 Jetta TDI. I knew that deisel was around $4.00 a gallon, as apposed to around $3.60 for gasoline, but my thinking was that I would rather fill up less and pay a bit more then fill up more and pay a bit less. Plus, with the TDI, I am getting oil changes every 10,000 miles as apposed to every 3,000 which a lot of gasoline vehicles require. I have no doubt that the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, and the “Smartcars” get good gas mileage, but I’m going to give you the facts about what I’ve observed in the short time I’ve owned my TDI. The last tank of diesel, I got 618 miles. The TDI has a 14.5 gallon tank. For all you non math majors out there, that is nearly 43 miles/gal. That is not just on the highway. That is a combination of highway and city miles. That’s my 2 cents. Take it for what it’s worth.