Volkswagen Jetta 2009 Review
Is a mild update enough to help the Jetta stand out from the midsize crowd?Volkswagen Jetta MY10
Local Launch
Yarra Valley, Victoria
>>Great dynamics remain unmolested
>>Huge boot for a car of its size
Not so much
>>Mild visual update
>>Equally mild under-the-skin updates
>>Fails to stand out from the crowd
Overall rating 3.0/5.0
Engine and Drivetrain: 3.5/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.0/5.0
Safety: 3.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 3.5/5.0
X-Factor: 2.0/5.0
It's hard to believe that Volkswagen launched the Jetta locally almost four years ago, in February 2006. The four-door sedan may share most of its DNA (on parts to be precise) with the Golf but the Jetta has flown well and truly under the radar.
In some ways the Jetta is a snapshot of Volkswagen's lot locally: plenty of attention on the Golf and Tiguan but it doesn't carry over to the rest of the range. Cars like the Jetta and Passat just seem to tick along slowly without making a major impact in the marketplace.
But as we found in our original review back in '06 the Jetta is a solid offering from Volkswagen so it's easy to understand the company's decision to give the car only a mild tweak for the new year.
The MY10 refresh of Jetta is no major update with only a few key areas separating the MY09 from the new model. But while they are minor changes in isolation the overall result is an improved end product.
-- Reshuffling the deck
The biggest change to the MY10 Jetta is the addition of two new diesel engines: a 77TDI and 125TDI. That has resulted in a new range and pricing structure (all prices are manufacturer's list price and do not include government and dealer charges):
77TDI with six-speed manual -- $28,990
77TDI with seven-speed DSG -- $31,490
118TSI with six-speed manual -- $30,990
118TSI with seven-speed DSG -- $33,490
103TDI with six-speed DSG -- $35,990
125TDI with six-speed DSG -- $38,990
147TSI with six-speed DSG -- $38,990
That means the manual 103TDI has been dumped from the local line-up. And in terms of trim level nomenclature Volkswagen has also ditched its traditional 'Comfortline' and 'Trendline' names. Instead it applies 'Highline' branding to the 125TDI and 147TSI only (both are offered as standard in top trim level).
There are, however, two option packs available for the range -- Comfort and Sport.
The 77TDI is available with an optional Comfort package that adds dual-zone air-conditioning, air quality sensors, auto dimming rearview mirror, automatic headlights, rain sensing wipers and footwell lighting for an additional $1000. All these features are standard on the rest of the range.
There are two different Sports packages available as well. The 77TDI, 118TSI and 103TDI can be equipped with 17-inch alloys, dark tinted side and rear windows, front fog lights and sports suspension (that lowers the ride height 15mm). As the Highline models are already equipped with most of those features the only upgrades for the Sports package adds to the 125TDI and 147TSI are 18-inch alloys and the dark tinted windows. The former pack costs $2300 and the latter $2000.
The rest of the 2010-spec updates include new 16 and 17-inch alloy wheels, standard front parking sensors across the range, the addition of optical parking warning system and the adoption of the steering wheel, white instrumentation and air-conditioning unit from the new Golf VI.
MECHANICAL
As mentioned above the MY10 line-up sees two new diesel engines slot underneath the bonnet of the Jetta. The 1.6-litre 77TDI produces, as the name implies, 77kw at 4200rpm and a maximum torque of 250Nm between 1500 and 2500rpm. But the really important number for the 77TDI is the fuel economy figure -- 4.9L/100km with the manual transmission on the combined cycle.
The 2.0-litre 125TDI produces 125kW at 4200rpm and 350Nm between 1750-2500rpm, while its combined consumption figure is 5.9L/100km.
While the 77TDI is available with either a manual or seven-speed DSG, Volkswagen is only offering the 125TDI with the six-speed DSG. The 125TDI is mated to the six-speed unit and not the seven-cog DSG because the former is capable of taking up to 350Nm while the later is limited to 250Nm.
Aside from the new diesels there's not much new to say. The Jetta continues to be based on the same platform as the Golf V. The 103TDI, 118TSI, and 147TSI are all carried over unchanged from the previous Jetta.
For more details see our original review.
Externally the Jetta retains the chrome grille insert of the original and the same headlights. While it's a shame in some respects the designers didn't give the car a new face, on a positive note it does create a greater point of difference between the Jetta and its Golf sibling.
For more on the Jetta's dimensions check out our original review.
-- The usual suspects
Volkswagen obviously felt the Jetta was safe enough because there have been no changes or improvements to the safety features of the new model.
You still get all the usual acronyms: ABS (anti-lock braking system), ESP (electroic stability program), EBD (electronic brake-pressure distribution), ASR (anti-slip regulation) and EDL (electronic differential lock.).
Although based on the Golf the Jetta is priced and equipped to compete against medium-sized sedans. Volkswagen has been careful not to stray into prestige territory and is instead focusing on the Mazda6, Ford Mondeo, Subaru Liberty, Honda Accord Euro and you'd also have to consider the Golf-based Skoda Octavia a rival as well.
Since its original launch in 2006 sales in the medium segment have dropped while the competition has increased. And while the changes for MY10 are worthwhile they don't do enough to give the Jetta a significant advantage against such strong rivals.
Where the Jetta does shine though is with its range of diesel engines. If the growth of diesel continues in Australia and the price of petrol continues to rise then the Jetta could be very well placed. The 77TDI gives VW some free space to work with in the class because no rival currently offers an equivalent on price and economy.
Despite its small capacity and low power output, the torque of the 77TDI means the engine does a fine job carrying the weight of the Jetta. It certainly didn't feel like such a small engine when we climbed up and down Melbourne's Yarra Valley on the launch drive program. The six-speed manual gearbox also left a good impression with its nice, smooth action. Unfortunately we didn't get to drive it long enough to check out its impressive fuel consumption claims but we'll let you know our findings when we've spent more time behind the wheel.
It's a similar story for the 125TDI with the turbodiesel proving plenty of motivation to haul the Jetta along. It's a smooth sounding unit that revs freely and has more than enough torque whenever you call on it.
Both engines are fine example of the benefits of small capacity forced induction engines that are relatively low on power but big on torque.
A much bigger update is on the cards for the Jetta that should see it adopt the same styling updates as the Golf VI but that's still a little while off. In the interim the MY10 Jetta proves a worthy improvement... But it still lacks that knockout blow to stand out from the competition.
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