The Volkswagen Jetta, often debated in Europe but consistently popular in North America, continues its strong presence for good reason. The 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Tdi, specifically, offers a compelling blend of practicality and fuel efficiency, making it a standout option in its class. This review delves into the details of the 2012 Jetta TDI, exploring its design, performance, interior features, and overall driving experience.
The model tested, finished in Toffee Brown Metallic, made a notable impression during its week-long evaluation. While brown might be an acquired taste for some, this particular shade grew in appreciation, demonstrating the Jetta’s subtle yet appealing design. Starting at an accessible CDN $15,875, the Highline model, as tested, reached a price of CDN $29,865, reflecting its higher trim level and added features. For those also interested in hybrid options, a review of the 2013 Jetta Turbocharged Hybrid is available for comparison.
Exterior Styling and Engine Performance
The 2012 Jetta adopts a more conservative styling approach compared to its predecessors. This evolution towards a more understated design, while potentially reducing its visual distinctiveness, aligns it more closely with market trends and broadens its appeal. In a competitive landscape where many sedans share similar silhouettes, the Jetta blends in, yet still carries Volkswagen’s recognizable design language.
The front fascia incorporates VW’s corporate identity with serious horizontal lines, while the rear features Audi-inspired taillights. This design has led some observers to mistake it for the larger Passat, indicating a perception of increased size and presence.
The heart of the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta TDI is its 2.0-Liter 4-cylinder, direct-injection turbocharged diesel engine. While the 140 horsepower at 4000 RPM might seem modest to those unfamiliar with diesel engines, the crucial figure is its torque. Diesel engines are renowned for their low-end torque, which is vital for everyday driving and acceleration from a standstill. The Jetta TDI delivers a substantial 236 lb.ft of torque, readily available at just 1750 RPM. This characteristic provides ample power for city driving and highway cruising, setting it apart from gasoline engines that often require higher RPMs to reach peak torque.
Paired with a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission featuring manual shifting and sport modes, the TDI engine offers a responsive and engaging driving experience. The dual-clutch system ensures quick and smooth gear changes, enhancing both performance and fuel efficiency.
Fuel Efficiency and Practicality
Beyond performance, the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta TDI excels in fuel economy. Officially rated at 6.7 L/100 km (35 mpg) in the city and 4.7 L/100 km (50 mpg) on the highway, its fuel consumption rivals that of many hybrid vehicles. This efficiency is achieved without sacrificing driving enjoyment, unlike some hybrids that prioritize economy over performance. The 55-liter fuel tank allows for long distances between fill-ups, making it ideal for road trips and minimizing visits to the gas station. Real-world testing in predominantly city driving conditions, even with spirited acceleration, yielded 7.4 L/100 km (32 mpg), underscoring its impressive fuel efficiency in varied driving scenarios.
Interior Design, Technology, and Comfort
The interior of the 2012 Jetta TDI Highline is well-appointed, featuring a two-tone tan and black color scheme that brightens the cabin. The materials used are visually appealing, and the overall construction suggests a high level of craftsmanship. The cabin provides ample space for both front and rear passengers, offering generous headroom and legroom.
The leather-surfaced, heated front seats are manually adjustable and exceptionally comfortable, providing excellent bolstering for support during longer drives and in corners. These seats are a highlight, demonstrating Volkswagen’s commitment to driver and passenger comfort.
The dashboard design is clean and functional, featuring easily readable gauges and a driver information screen positioned between them. The multi-function steering wheel, a Volkswagen hallmark, includes controls for media, phone, and hands-free operations. The flat-bottomed steering wheel design is both ergonomically pleasing and sporty in feel.
Standard power features include door locks, mirrors, windows, and a power trunk release. The push-start ignition system, unique to diesel models, requires a slightly longer press to engage the glow plugs, a characteristic of diesel engine technology.
The center stack is user-friendly, featuring a touchscreen interface for media, phone, and navigation functions, surrounded by physical buttons for ease of use. Media options include AM, FM, satellite radio, CD player, SD card reader, auxiliary input, Bluetooth streaming, and iPod control. The Fender-branded audio system, while perhaps an unconventional branding choice given Fender’s association with guitar amplifiers, delivers impressive sound quality, enhancing the in-car entertainment experience. Below the infotainment system is a manual climate control system, straightforward and effective.
The center console houses the gear shift lever, parking brake, and a comfortable armrest. Additional interior features include a power sunroof and illuminated vanity mirrors.
Rear Passenger Space and Storage Solutions
The rear seats of the 2012 Jetta TDI are designed for comfort, accommodating three passengers with three seatbelts and headrests. The outboard seats offer excellent comfort for adults, with ample headroom and exceptional legroom for the compact sedan class. Three children can fit comfortably in the rear. For families with younger children, the Jetta includes two LATCH anchors for child seat installation. The middle rear seat is less ideal for adults due to a prominent floor tunnel and the rearward extension of the center console. However, the middle seatback folds down to serve as an armrest with cupholders, and it also incorporates a pass-through for transporting long items.
Storage within the cabin includes small cubbies at the top and bottom of the rear center console, along with a 12V power outlet and a power door lock switch for rear passengers. The glove compartment offers decent storage space, and all four door bins, though small, are usable and can accommodate bottles. Beneath the center stack, a deep carpeted bin with a 12V outlet provides additional storage. Two cupholders are located in the front console, and a carpeted bin under the armrest lid adds further storage options.
The trunk is notably spacious for a sedan in this segment. The cargo capacity can be expanded by folding down the 60/40 split rear seats. While they don’t fold completely flat, they significantly increase the available storage volume. A convenient trunk-mounted release handle for the rear seats is included, although folding the seats down still requires accessing them from the rear doors, which is a slightly unusual design choice.
Driving Dynamics and On-Road Performance
The Jetta has a long-standing reputation as a car that’s enjoyable to drive, and the 2012 model upholds this tradition. The ride quality is well-balanced, offering a smooth and controlled experience. It’s firm enough to feel stable and planted on the road, yet sufficiently compliant to absorb bumps and imperfections, providing comfort on varied road surfaces. Handling is responsive and engaging, seemingly improving as speeds increase. While there is some body lean in corners, the Jetta maintains composure even during spirited driving. Its slightly larger size compared to previous generations might make it feel marginally less agile in tight urban environments, but this trade-off contributes to its enhanced stability and ride comfort, particularly at highway speeds.
Highway driving is effortless and comfortable in the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta TDI. It cruises smoothly and quietly at higher speeds, making it well-suited for long journeys.
The diesel engine’s torque is a defining characteristic of the driving experience. The abundant low-end torque translates to strong acceleration and responsiveness across a wide speed range. However, a noticeable lag exists upon initial acceleration, particularly from a standstill. This hesitation can be somewhat mitigated by engaging the transmission’s “Sport” mode, but it isn’t entirely eliminated. This lag is a notable drawback, especially considering the otherwise refined performance of Volkswagen’s DSG transmissions in other models. Despite this initial lag, once the engine overcomes this hesitation, the wave of torque provides satisfyingly brisk acceleration. Passing maneuvers in both city and highway driving are easily accomplished, and the Jetta TDI can surprise other drivers with its off-the-line performance. While the engine’s power tapers off at higher RPMs, it delivers ample performance for typical driving needs.
Visibility from the driver’s seat is generally good, although rear visibility is slightly obstructed by the rear headrests. The cabin is well-insulated, effectively minimizing engine, road, and wind noise, contributing to a refined and quiet driving environment. Modern diesel technology ensures that the engine operates cleanly, with minimal noise and no noticeable smoke or soot, addressing common criticisms of older diesel vehicles. A slight diesel clatter is audible at startup and during initial acceleration, but it is comparable to the noise levels of many gasoline engines.
The Jetta TDI features a well-placed dead pedal, a typical Volkswagen ergonomic feature. The steering, while perhaps lacking some tactile feedback, is responsive and provides a good turning circle for a vehicle of its size. The brakes, while effective in stopping the car, exhibit a slightly spongy pedal feel, which might not appeal to all drivers.
Minor Imperfections
One notable drawback in the interior is the perceived reduction in material quality compared to previous Jetta generations. While the interior design is visually appealing, the hard plastic surfaces, except for small padded door panel sections, contribute to a less premium feel. This cost-saving measure is evident in the cabin materials.
Another minor inconvenience is the placement of the auxiliary audio input port, located prominently in the middle of the stereo faceplate. This positioning can lead to visible and potentially cumbersome cable routing for users who still rely on analog auxiliary connections.
Final Verdict
The 2012 Volkswagen Jetta TDI is, overall, a compelling vehicle. Its size and practicality make it an excellent choice for small families, while its driving dynamics are genuinely enjoyable. The TDI engine is a standout feature, offering near-hybrid fuel economy without compromising on torque and real-world performance. It addresses many concerns associated with older diesel engines, such as noise, smoke, and cold-weather starting issues.
The primary criticism is the noticeable lag in acceleration from a standstill, which detracts slightly from the otherwise excellent driving experience. Despite this issue, the 2012 Jetta TDI remains a strong contender in its class.
The 2012 VW Jetta TDI earns a solid recommendation for those seeking a fuel-efficient and practical sedan with a rewarding driving experience. While direct competitors in the fuel-efficient, non-hybrid segment are fewer and often in a slightly lower price class, such as the Mazda3 SkyActiv or Chevy Cruze Eco, the Jetta TDI offers a more refined and substantial package. For those prioritizing performance over ultimate fuel economy, the Jetta GLI, the performance-oriented version of the Jetta, is also worth considering, though at a higher price point.
The Wife Acceptance Factor (WAF) for the Jetta TDI is notably high, indicating its broad appeal. Its comfortable interior, pleasant driving characteristics, and lack of typical diesel drawbacks make it agreeable to a wide range of drivers.
Disclosure: Vehicle was provided by VW.
