Buying A Used Volkswagen Jetta (2006-)
What To Look For When Searching For This Family Car Secondhand
Sep 10, 2009
The Jetta is one of those cars that sells very well in some markets and relatively poorly in others. That has everything to do with that particular country's attitude towards saloons (sedans) and nothing to do with the Jetta's abilities, as it's good at everything it does.
Jetta Engines
The Jetta is based on the Mk5 Golf (aka Rabbit) and is made in China, Russia, Mexico, South Africa and India, so the engine range varies depending on its final destination. From launch in Europe, the Jetta was available with 1.4 TSI, 1.6 FSI (now discontinued) and 2.0 FSI petrol engines while in the US and some other markets 1.8 and 2.5 units were added. Diesel engines include 1.9 TDI pümpe duse and 2.0 TDI units.
The 1.4 petrol is available in various states of tune and is assisted by a turbocharger to boost power and keep economy at a respectable level. The 1.6 and 2.0 FSI units need zero-sulphur gasoline to operate at peak efficiency, while the 2.5 five-cylinder petrol used in the Americas and the Middle East puts out up to 170bhp.
Trim levels vary according to market, but are essentially limited to just three: S, SE and Sport. S trim brings alloy wheels, electric and heated wing mirrors, air-con, traction control and all round electric windows as standard. SE upgrades the stereo and adds heated seats and climate control while Sport brings a change of materials to the cabin, larger alloy wheels and minor styling changes to the body exterior.
US Jetta Spec
US trim levels on the 2.5 petrol start with the S, which comes with 16in steel wheels, heated front seats, all-round electric windows, cruise control, heated windshield washer jets, a tire pressure monitoring system, ESP, ABS and ASR. The SE gets 16in alloy wheels, leather steering wheel, power sunroof, a ten speaker stereo and a Sirius Satellite Radio, while SEL gets 17in alloy wheels, body coloured valances, and a multi-function steering wheel. TDI trim gets SE spec plus body coloured valances.
The US market also has a Jetta SportWagen estate, sold as the Golf estate everywhere else.
Jetta Gearboxes
Unusually, all petrol models get a six-speed manual gearbox, with the option of a six-speed (later a seven-speed) DSG automatic. The latter is a twin clutch automatic that offers as good performance as the manual and even slightly better economy. The lower-powered diesels (such as the 1.6 and 1.9 pümpe duse) get a five-speed manual gearbox, but the 2.0 gets a six-speed manual ’box. A DSG gearbox is an option on the 1.9 and 2.0 diesels but not the 1.6.
What to Watch Out For
- Diesel particulate filters can cause problems - shown by a light on the dashboard.
- DSG-equipped Jettas built between September 2008 and August 2009 were recalled in the US to fix a potential problem with overheating. Other markets are not affected.
VW Jetta Engines and Dimensions
The following list shows performance and dimensions, as quoted by VW:
- 1.4 petrol - 120bhp, 0-62mph 9.8sec, top speed 123mph, 44.1mpg, 149g/km CO2
- 1.4 petrol - 158bhp, 0-62mph 8.5sec, top speed 136mph, 42.8mpg, 154g/km CO2
- 1.6 FSI petrol - 113bhp, 0-62mph 11.1sec, top speed 120mph, 39.8mpg, 170g/km CO2
- 2.0 TSI petrol - 158bhp, 0-62mph 7.5sec, top speed 146mph, 36.7mpg, 181g/km CO2
- 2.5 petrol - 170bhp, 0-62mph 8.2sec, top speed 127mph, 30.0mpg, na g/km CO2
- 1.6 TDI diesel - 104bhp, 0-62mph 12.0sec, top speed 116mph, 60.1mpg, 123g/km CO2
- 1.9 TDI diesel - 104bhp, 0-62mph 11.9sec, top speed 117mph, 54.3mpg, 137g/km CO2
- 1.9 TDI Bluemotion diesel - 104bhp, 0-62mph 11.9sec, top speed 117mph, 61.4mpg, 122g/km CO2
- 2.0 TDI diesel - 138bhp, 0-62mph 9.7sec, top speed 129mph, 51.4mpg, 143g/km CO2
- 2.0 TDI diesel - 168bhp, 0-62mph 8.5sec, top speed 138mph, 52.3mpg, 143g/km CO2
- Length 4554mm (182 inches), (estate 4556mm/182 inches)
- Width (inc mirrors) 2010mm (80 inches)
- Saloon boot space (seats up/down) 527/na litres (18.61 cu ft/na cu ft)
- Estate boot space (seats up/down) 505/1495 litres (17.83 cu ft/52.79 cu ft)
In European markets the Jetta plays second fiddle to its much more popular Golf sibling, but in other markets such as the US and Middle East it's a big seller, offering excellent reliability, good comfort and decent practicality.
The cabin apes the Golf's in being made from high quality soft-touch plastics and is reasonably well specced, with plenty of storage space. Safety and security are also good for the size of the car, with a full complement of airbags. Like many other sedans, the boot opening will limit the number of awkward loads the car will take, although the rear seats split and fold to extend the boot area.
On the road, the Golf's underpinnings mean the Jetta performs well, with good handling on twisty roads and suspension that soaks up most bumps despite being firm, especially around town. Even the smallest 1.4 petrol provides spirited performance, but the 2.0 TDI diesel is the one to go for - it's torquey and economical, as well as reasonably refined. Bear in mind that the FSI petrols need to run on zero sulphur fuel for best efficiency.
The Jetta's rivals are few and far between, limited to the Ford Focus sedan, Skoda Octavia and the Volvo S40. The Ford and Skoda are excellent cars, and test drives in both are recommended, but the Jetta is a good all-rounder and deserves to remain popular.
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