2011 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI – Review and Test Drive
DRIVING THE 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN
I drove the JSW on a variety of roads ranging from country lanes to winding roads to long stretches of highway. 
I averaged 38 mpg (6.18 l/100 km) that week the JSW visited. The 6-speed manual (not on our test car) and the DSG transmission both use the same amount of fuel and we have previously found the manual is perfectly suited to the 2.0-liter turbocharged four’s 236 pound-feet of torque. In manual mode, I found the DSG reacted slowly to shifts and I tended to stay in the sport mode a bit more as the higher rev points for shifts provided for more spirited driving.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is standard on the JSW TDI and on all 2011 Volkswagens, ahead of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requirement for some form of ESC on all model-year 2012 vehicles. NHTSA studies show that vehicles with ESC have 35% fewer single-vehicle crashes and 30% fewer single-vehicle fatalities. The JSW’s ESC compares the driver’s intended course with the direction the vehicle is actually traveling in. If a discrepancy is found, ESC uses braking and/or engine power to make course corrections.
One key safety feature is not available, namely automatic crash notification (ACN), 
a telematics feature that is available in both entry-level and luxury cars from a variety of automakers including BMW (BMW Assist), Ford (Sync), General Motors (OnStar), and Mercedes-Benz (mBrace).
The Jetta SportWagen’s interior is nicely done and gives the appearance of a car that has a much higher price point. Controls and ergonomics are excellent. Switches and knobs were easily within reach and straightforward in operation.
The seats were comfortable and provided decent – but not excellent – support in longer drives. On one trip, four adults were very comfortable for a three-hour drive and there was, of course, plenty of room in the back for packages. 
The addition of a small child or child seat in the middle would have only slightly diminished passenger comfort. Headroom was excellent (there was no sunroof in our car, which translated into an extra inch or so compared to JSW’s with sunroof) and legroom was more than ample, front and rear.
Volkswagen buyers get three years of scheduled maintenance at no charge (a nicety found in such premium brands as BMW) as well as roadside assistance.
The Jetta SportWagen TDI provides drivers with an unparalleled mix of comfort, space, practicality, fuel economy, and pricing and, most important, is still fun to drive. Fahrvergnügen, anyone?
| 2010 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI | |
| Base price/price-as-tested | $24,995/$26,865 |
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive |
| Engine | 2.0-liter/140 hp/I-4 |
| Transmission | 6-speed DSG automatic |
| Curb weight (lbs) | 3,283 |
| Wheelbase (inches) | 101.5 |
| Length x width x height (inches) | 179.4 x 70.1 x 59.2 |
| 0-60 mph (seconds) | 9.5 |
| City/highway fuel economy (mpg) | 30/42 (with DSG) |
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[...] the Mercedes-Benz S350 BlueTec, the Volkswagen Golf TDI, the Volkswagen Jetta Sedan TDI, the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI, and the Volkswagen Passat TDI, as well as six SUVs, the Audi Q7 TDI, the BMW X5 xDrive35d, the [...]
Now if only you could get real leather, instead of V-Tex (i.e., pleather or fake leather) as an option in the JSW and Jetta TDI sedan. Also, VW needs to find the person who stole the pistons for the hood and trunk, trunk lid liner, trunk area pockets and bag holder, air conditioned glove box and console, and rear seat back locks and get these items back for the Jetta TDI sedan.
And add to the above list. High Pressure Fuel Pump that doesn’t disintegrate.
I currently have a 2000 golf which i love and has about 200,000 miles on it. Im shopping for a new car and was very interested in the sportwagen but it’s a bit pricey. Originally the tdi’s were economical cars with great mpg and a decent sticker price but now you could get a honda fit, civic, or toyota corolla, matrix for about 16g’s which will still get about 38 mpg but your saving about 10g over the tdi. From an economic stand point when looking for a long lasting car which could handle another 200,000 miles the tdi is more luxury than economy any people still think you paid 17,000 for the tdi when it’s actually about 28,000 out the door. fro 28,000 you entering mercedes, volvo, bmw territoriality which gives you more features that the tdi. Also unless you plan on doing you own repairs when the vw is out of warranty it will cost you an arm. tdi’s encounter more problems than hondas and toyotas and diesel is more money than regular gas.
I’ll take the Golf, made in Germany and quality seems much better. Also more fun to drive and better MPG. It’s the little things that count. Now fix the HPFP problem and you have a winner!
Real leather is available in the Canadian model – we only have to pay $6000 over the US price!! VW USA voids the warranty if a US car is registered in Canada, so tough to cross border shop.