Overview:
This weeks test vehicle was the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8T(Turbo) Wagon. My friend Rusty says, “this drives like my BMW. And are you sh…. kidding me about the price? I’m guessing in the $40’s.” No Rusty, I’m not kidding, but now that you mention it I am beginning to doubt what I recall was the window sticker.
Ok, so I verified it and Rusty says, “I’m a big guy (6’5” about 230 lbs) and this is really comfortable. And what did you say it got for mileage?” I didn’t Rusty, but it is almost 30 miles per gallon and at the current prices of gas in the US at about $2.00 a gal, this is a big plus. Rusty agreed and thought he would look further into owning one of these Jetta Wagons. But I told him to hold his horses and wait for the full review because he should look at the competition too.
General Info:
Parts – US/Canadian 1%, Germany 70%, Transmission Japan.
Assembly – Wolfsburg, Germany
Class: – Small Station Wagon
Cars: – Eurovan, Golf, Jetta, Jetta Wagon, New Beetle, Passat, Passat Wagon & Touareg.
Handling & Performance:
Ok, so it does feel like a BMW in its presentation and handling. It has a lot of the qualities of the Saab 9-5 Wagon too, but even if you add leather and power seats to bring the Swedish Saab and the German VW Jetta to a level playing field, the Saab will set you back a full $10,000 more. Jetta is definitely fun to drive and the turbo will flat impress you for a 1.8-liter engine. It will satisfy you hunger for power, but what do you expect from a German car?
Styling:
Well, I like it a lot. The lines are clean and they’ve designed in a lot of space for a car with small exterior dimensions.
Fit and Finish:
Excellent. It smacks of the appearance of much more expensive cars. I’m impressed, and I don’t impress easily.
Conveniences:
Neck and neck with the competition for less money. Good going VW. And they even throw in a sunroof.
Cost:
Very good by any measure and surely far and away ahead of the competition.
Consumer Recommendation:
Perhaps the closest competitor (for the money) is the Subaru Impreza but I’d still opt for the Jetta. I’m pleased to say this is a winner and I put a lot of miles on it for a full road test. I traveled up to Salinas, California in the central coastal region of the state. That’s right next to the beautiful Monterey / Carmel area on the coast. Salinas is the lettuce capital of the world for you trivia buffs but I picked up some artichokes, which, incidentally, were great.
The Competition:
VW Jetta Wagon $18-21,000, Audi A4 Avant $28-34,000, BMW 3-Series Sport Wagon $30-32,000, Chrysler PT Cruiser $17-27,000, Ford Focus Wagon $17-18,000, Mazda Protege5 $17,000, Mercedes Benz C Class Wagon $31-37,000, Saab 9-5 Wagon $35-40,000, Subaru Impreza Wagon $18-24,000.
Good News:
Outstanding pricing, good mileage, powerful with the Turbo, roomy and it even comes standard with a power glass sunroof with tilt.
Bad News:
Turbo adds power but it is jerky off the line. I’d think that could have been done better.
Standard Equipment:
1.8-liter turbo 180 hp 4-cylinder engine, front wheel drive, anti-slip feature, electronic locking differential, power steering, independent strut front suspension, power ABS disc braking system, daytime running lights, front and side airbags, Side curtain head impact airbags for driver, front and rear passengers, height adjustable front seat belts, adjustable front head restraints, child safety rear door locks and anchors, air conditioning, cruise control, power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, power heatable outside mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, center armrest, rear wiper washer system, split folding rear seat, roof rails, and cargo area cover.
(If you want a 5 speed automatic transmission add $1,075. Leather package that includes leather seats, heatable front seats, heated windshield washer and leather wrapped multi-function steering wheel, add another $1,050 – which is all worth it in my view).
Gas Stats:
22 City and 29 Highway MPG.
Pricing:
MSRP $21,240.
