The 2011 Jetta, style at a decent price.
Wayne Gerdes -
CleanMPG - June 29, 2010
VW’s Jetta gets a year older and a year newer at the same time.
VW announced the debut of the 2011 Jetta, delivering German engineering and Carefree Maintenance, all at an affordable price. At a starting price point of around $16,000, the all-new 2011 Jetta offers best in class rear legroom, a premium interior and Volkswagen essentials. Unveiled for the first time at an unexpected urban oasis in Times Square, New York, the all-new 2011 Jetta features clean lines, refined side architecture and premium style combined with Volkswagen’s trademark German engineering. Trademark may be a bad omen given reliability issues of years past however? The all-new 2011 Jetta sets a new standard in its class and will be available in the U.S. this October.
Engine and Transmission
The North American version of the 2011 Jetta features the efficient engineering drivers have come to expect from VW. Four engines will be available in the U.S. and Canada, including our favorite, the 2.0L turbodiesel direct injection (TDI) Diesel featuring common rail injection. Although unchanged, the engine really does run quiet yet offers plenty of performance achieving 0-60 in 8.7 seconds. All Jetta engines will be offered with a manual transmission as standard equipment with the 6-speed DSG available for the TDI.
Exterior
The all-new 2011 Jetta has been completely overhauled, inside and out. Its new wheelbase and exterior length are significantly bigger than its predecessor – resulting in more space and greater comfort. At 182.7-inches long, 57.1 inches tall and 70.1 inches wide, it is more than 3.5 inches longer than its predecessors. Volkswagen ‘design DNA’ sharpens the car’s styling.
With integrated turn signal indicators, the styling of the outside mirrors emulates the larger CC. Compared with the previous model, the all-new Jetta has grown in clarity and pre-eminence in its side profile. Harmonized surfaces and sporty shoulders dominate the rear section. Powerful in illumination and visually distinctive, the taillights are split into two sections, extending on either side from the fender into the tailgate.
Interior
A key benefit of the extended wheelbase is that it resulted in a more comfortable layout of the five-seat rear seating area. Legroom is now
38.1 inches, a 2.6-inch gain from the previous model!
Engineers went to work on the interior down to the finest details. A common conceptual thread throughout the car is the intuitive controls and well-arranged instruments. The right hand rests ergonomically on the gear shift grip. Further up on the center console are the newly designed and intuitive controls for climate, radio and radio-navigation systems. This console section is slightly inclined toward the driver for ideal alignment of the cockpit. Also in optimal view are the round instruments. The multifunction display (trip computer) is located between them.
The rear bench seatback is split 40/60 and folds, increasing the car’s versatility. The tailgate can also be opened from inside the car by a remote unlock switch.
Safety
Previous Jetta versions received accolades for safety with features like electronic stability control and tire pressure monitoring standard. The all-new 2011 Jetta has been further enhanced with more crash safety improvements including six airbags (two front airbags, two side airbags in front, two window airbags/thorax airbags in the area of the front side windows) are included.
Linear Mode
