Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen JettaThe 2011 Volkswagen Jetta ranks 13 out of 33 Affordable Small Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 25 published reviews and test drives of the Volkswagen Jetta, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
Volkswagen gives the sixth generation 2011 Jetta major updates, but reviewers say some changes -- like its cheap interior plastics -- aren’t an improvement.
Set to hit dealerships in October, the 2011 Jetta is cheaper than the 2010 model, features a roomy rear seat, a modern exterior and an interior quality that doesn’t resemble Volkswagen Jettas of yore.
The most noticeable change is the price. Many consumers shy away from Volkswagens because they’re more expensive than competing models. By giving the 2011 Jetta a starting price of $15,995, Volkswagen hopes to attract buyers who always wanted a Jetta, but didn’t want to stretch their budgets.
What will buyers get for $1,770 less than the starting price for the 2010 model? More space. VW lengthened the 2010 Jetta’s frame to appeal to more Americans. Reviewers couldn’t be happier with this change. They say the rear seat is very comfortable and will accommodate adult passengers nicely. It even competes with midsize sedans.
But the auto press isn’t as satisfied with other changes. With the price cut, interior quality suffers. Volkswagen has a reputation for building durable and upscale cabins, but the 2011 Jetta doesn’t fit this mold. Reviewers say the plastics are hard, shiny and look like they belong in a cheaper car. Other amenities Volkswagen featured in previous models are missing. There is no center arm rest and the seats don’t power-recline. Despite the changes reviewers say the new Jetta is still great for the class, but is no longer superior. Voicing what most reviewers think, Edmunds says that "while the innards of the new Jetta are fully class-competitive, the interior is not likely to be the differentiator between the Jetta and its Japanese and American competitors that it once was."
Reviewers say the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta isn’t a stellar performer because it fits the lower trims with cheaper brakes and gives the base model a less powerful engine, which is a huge step down in comparison to the 2010 model. Buyers can choose trims that feature the 2010’s engine, but it will cost more. With these changes, the ride is stiffer, there’s more body roll and more bumps. But press members say the car is still a good driver, it’s just different than the Jettas they’re used to driving.
According to Volkswagen, the 2011 Jetta averages 23 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, which is unimpressive for the class. There is a fuel efficient TDI trim that runs on diesel fuel, but it’s more expensive.
In the Volkswagen world, most of these changes are downgrades. However, the automotive press says that the 2011 Jetta is still a good car. It might not drive as well as the 2010 or look as good on the inside, but its price will appeal to a lot more people. If you always wanted to buy a Jetta but couldn’t, now is the time to get one.
Other Cars to Consider
If you still don’t want to pay $15,995 for a base 2011 Jetta, there are cheaper options that won’t make you feel like you’re settling for less. The Ford Fiesta is a press favorite that boasts great fuel economy, a spacious back seat -- especially for a small car, and a high-quality interior. The base sedan starts at $13,320, about $3,000 less than the Jetta.
Buyers who want a car with a more classic style will like the Honda Civic. It has a strong reputation for its high fuel economy, smooth ride and impressive power. In previous years, the Jetta has out shined the Civic when it comes to driving capabilities and interior quality. Now that the 2011 Jetta has experienced some downgrades, the Civic is likely to be a competitive alternative that’s affordably priced.
If you still want a Volkswagen that maintains the German automaker's high standards and don’t mind paying more, the 2011 VW Golf is a good option that receives abundant praise from the automotive press. It’s powerful, one of the best drivers in the class and has a great interior. However, the base Golf’s fuel economy is low and the price is high: $17,620.
Also, you could consider a used Jetta or a leftover 2010 model. It will have a better engine and interior in comparison to the 2011, though the rear seats won’t be as roomy. With a used car there’s no need to worry about rapid value depreciation once you drive it off the dealer lot. Check our listings for used Volkswagen Jettas in your area. If you opt for a leftover 2010 model, you may be able to get a great discount as dealers have to move them to make way for the 2011s coming their way.
The 2011 Jetta has four trim options: the S, SE, SEL and TDI. The TDI trim is the most expensive, but has the best fuel economy because it runs on diesel fuel. The upper three trims can be customized with a variety of features, like an optional navigation system and sunroof. The base S trim starts at $15,995.
- "To entice folks considering those cars to also look at the Jetta, VW has lowered the model's price, introduced a 115-hp base version, reduced the complexity of the options and trim levels, and grown it even further." -- Car and Driver
- "It is a relief, then, to discover that these ominous-sounding developments do not drain all of the appeal out of the Jetta. It may be more obviously built to a price than VWs of the recent past, but it still operates with the same basic character that has endeared it to a couple generations of buyers."
- "Even if the '11 VW Jetta seems a retrograde step from the previous model, it's an interesting twist on what the rest of the automotive world is doing. Ford is pushing the idea that its new subcompact Fiesta and '12 Focus will sell at premium, $20k-plus prices to Americans looking to get out of larger cars and SUVs." -
- "But VW also has made some changes that could rile its core cadre of loyalists who've been buying its cars all along. Otherwise, judging the overall packaged based on the test cars, we’d have to say that the 2011 Jetta will be VW’s best car." -
- "The sixth-generation 2011 Jetta is a pretty big deal for Volkswagen." -
- "Set to debut in showrooms this fall in North America, the all-new Jetta has been tailored specifically for North America - and it boasts an expanded lineup." -
- "Of course, it was car buyers who were doing the considering in the American car market, and many of them were turning to Asian brands, VW claims, for a lower base price and cloth-covered seats."