Ah, the Jetta. Often misunderstood in Europe, yet a consistent bestseller for Volkswagen in North America. There’s good reason for its popularity.
The 2012 Jetta, presented in Toffee Brown Metallic, graced the Wildsau Garage for a week, leaving a positive impression. While brown cars can be polarizing, this particular shade grew in appreciation over time.
The Jetta lineup starts at an accessible CDN $15,875, but this higher-spec Highline model reached CDN $29,865. For those interested in a different powertrain, a review of the 2013 Jetta Turbocharged Hybrid is also available.
Exterior and Engine Highlights
The styling of the new Jetta adopts a more restrained approach compared to its predecessors. While previous generations pushed design boundaries, this iteration aligns more with a conservative aesthetic. This shift, however, sacrifices some of the Jetta’s distinctive character, causing it to blend more seamlessly with competitors in a crowded market. In a lineup, subtle differences might be the only way to distinguish it.
Nevertheless, the Jetta embodies Volkswagen’s contemporary design language, featuring a corporate front grille with strong horizontal lines and rear taillights reminiscent of Audi designs. Observers even mistook it for the larger Passat, indicating a perception of increased size.
Volkswagen provided the TDI model for review, a fortunate choice. While the 2.5-Liter inline-5 engine option available in the Jetta has received lukewarm reception, the TDI engine stands out as a truly compelling powertrain. This 2.0-Liter 4-cylinder engine incorporates direct-injection and a turbocharger, running on diesel. For those unfamiliar with diesel engines, the horsepower figure of 140 HP at 4000 RPM might seem modest. However, the crucial metric lies in torque, a characteristic highly valued in North American driving conditions, particularly in stop-and-go traffic and everyday commutes. Torque is what propels vehicles from a standstill, and the TDI delivers an impressive 236 lb.ft, accessible from a low 1750 RPM.
The TDI engine is paired with a responsive 6-speed dual-clutch transmission, offering both manual shift and sport modes for enhanced driver control.
Beyond its robust torque delivery, the diesel engine excels in fuel efficiency. With official ratings of 6.7 L/100 km (35 mpg) in city driving and an exceptional 4.7 L/100 km (50 mpg) on the highway, it rivals hybrid vehicles in combined fuel economy, all while providing a more engaging driving experience. The 55-liter fuel tank capacity translates to considerable highway range, potentially covering a significant portion of a cross-country journey before refueling. Real-world city driving, even with a spirited driving style, yielded 7.4 L/100 km (32 mpg), demonstrating impressive fuel economy without consciously trying to conserve fuel.
Interior Design, Technology, and Comfort
The Jetta’s interior is well-executed, particularly enhanced by the two-tone tan and black color scheme, creating a bright and welcoming ambiance. The materials used are visually appealing, and the overall interior construction appears to be of high quality. The cabin provides ample space for occupants, offering sufficient headroom and legroom.
The manually adjustable front seats are upholstered in genuine leather and feature heating. These seats are exceptionally comfortable and offer excellent bolstering, setting a high standard for seat design in this vehicle class.
The dashboard has a shallow profile, housing clear and easily readable gauges with a driver information screen positioned between them. Volkswagen’s signature manually adjustable steering wheel, a pleasure to use, incorporates controls for media, phone, and hands-free operation.
Standard power features are included, such as power door locks, mirrors, and windows, along with a power trunk release. The ignition system is push-start, requiring a slightly longer press to engage the diesel engine’s glow plugs.
The center stack is designed for simplicity and ease of use. A centrally located touchscreen, surrounded by physical buttons, manages media, phone, and navigation functions. Media options include AM, FM, satellite radio, CD player, SD card input (a somewhat outdated feature), auxiliary input, Bluetooth streaming, and iPod connectivity. The audio system is Fender-branded, a somewhat unusual choice given Fender’s reputation for guitar amplifiers rather than high-fidelity car audio. Despite the branding, the Fender system delivers impressive sound quality in the Jetta. Below the infotainment system is a manual climate control system.
The center console houses the gear shift lever, parking brake, and an armrest. Overhead features include a power tilt/slide sunroof and illuminated vanity mirrors.
Rear Passenger Space and Cargo Capacity
The rear seats offer a high level of comfort, accommodating three passengers with three seatbelts and headrests. The seating is particularly well-suited for two adults, providing generous headroom and legroom for its class. Three children can comfortably fit in the rear. Installation of two child seats is straightforward, utilizing the two sets of LATCH anchors provided. The middle seating position is less ideal for adults or larger children due to a prominent floor tunnel and the rearward extension of the center console. The middle seatback folds down to create a central armrest with cupholders, and behind it, a pass-through allows for transporting long items.
Small storage compartments are located at the top and bottom of the rear of the center console, along with a 12V power outlet and a power door lock switch.
The glove compartment offers decent storage space, and while the door bins are somewhat small, they are functional and can accommodate water bottles.
Beneath the center stack, a deep carpeted bin with a 12V outlet provides additional storage. Two cupholders are located in the console, and a carpeted bin under the armrest lid offers further storage.
The trunk is spacious, and cargo capacity can be expanded by folding down the 60/40 split rear seats. While they don’t fold completely flat, the added space is significant. A release handle for the rear seats is conveniently located in the trunk, although folding the seats down still requires accessing them from the rear doors, a slightly illogical design element.
Driving Dynamics
The Jetta has consistently been recognized for its engaging driving experience, and this model upholds that reputation. The ride quality is well-balanced, offering a smooth and controlled feel. It’s firm enough to inspire confidence and plantedness, yet sufficiently compliant to absorb road imperfections effectively. Handling is impressive, and it seemingly improves at higher speeds. Body roll is present but well-managed, and the Jetta maintains composure even in more demanding driving situations. Navigating high-speed corners in urban environments is handled with ease. The increased size of the new Jetta might slightly reduce its agility in city driving, but this is a trade-off that many drivers will likely find acceptable for the added interior space and comfort.
Highway driving is effortless, with the Jetta cruising smoothly and comfortably at speed.
The standout feature of the driving experience is the abundance of torque provided by the TDI engine. Pressing the accelerator results in a near-instant surge of power, delivering strong acceleration from virtually any speed. The “almost” instant power delivery highlights the car’s primary drawback: noticeable lag when accelerating, particularly from a standstill. This hesitation can be somewhat mitigated by engaging “Sport” mode on the transmission, but it is not entirely eliminated. This lag is surprising given the typically responsive nature of DSG-equipped vehicles, raising questions about the transmission tuning, throttle response, or the combination of both. However, once past the initial lag, the wave of torque is genuinely enjoyable. Passing maneuvers in both urban and highway settings are effortless, and the Jetta’s acceleration from a stop can surprise other drivers. While the engine’s power does taper off at higher RPMs, it delivers ample performance for typical driving needs.
Visibility from the driver’s seat is excellent, although the rear headrests slightly obstruct the rear view. The cabin is remarkably quiet, effectively minimizing engine, road, and wind noise. Modern diesel engines are significantly quieter than older generations, and the TDI produces minimal smoke or soot, addressing previous criticisms of diesel vehicles. A slight diesel clatter is audible at startup or during initial acceleration, but it’s comparable to the noise levels of a gasoline-powered car. The same applies to external noise levels.
The Jetta includes a well-positioned dead pedal, a typical Volkswagen feature appreciated by drivers. The steering feel is somewhat numb compared to ideal preferences, but it remains responsive enough, and the turning circle is impressively tight for a vehicle of this size. The brakes, while effective in stopping the car, exhibit a slightly spongy pedal feel.
Minor Criticisms
A primary area for improvement in the interior is material quality. The materials feel less premium compared to previous Jetta generations, a likely cost-saving measure. While visually appealing, hard plastics dominate the interior surfaces, with soft-touch materials limited to small padded door panel sections.
The placement of the stereo’s auxiliary port, located prominently in the center of the head unit, is inconvenient. For users of analog auxiliary connections, this necessitates running a cable across the cabin to connect to devices, a less elegant solution compared to more discreetly located ports in other vehicles.
Overall Verdict
Evaluating the Jetta from two perspectives, first, it stands as a highly competent vehicle overall. Its size makes it an excellent choice for small families, and its driving dynamics are genuinely enjoyable. Secondly, the TDI engine is a standout powertrain that simply makes sense. It delivers near-hybrid fuel efficiency without compromising on torque or driving engagement, and without the long-term battery concerns associated with hybrid vehicles. Modern diesel technology has also addressed previous drawbacks, with improvements in noise, emissions, and cold-weather starting reliability.
The primary drawback identified is the noticeable acceleration lag from a standstill, which detracts slightly from the overall driving experience.
The 2012 VW Jetta TDI receives a rating of 7 out of 10. Addressing the transmission and throttle response to eliminate the acceleration lag would easily elevate this score to a 7.5 out of 10.
It remains a solid contender in its class and should be seriously considered by buyers seeking a fuel-efficient and enjoyable vehicle. Direct competitors in the fuel-efficient non-hybrid segment are relatively limited and often positioned in a lower price bracket, such as the Mazda3 SkyActiv or Chevrolet Cruze Eco. These models can be considered a class below the Jetta. For those prioritizing performance over ultimate fuel economy, the Jetta GLI, the performance-oriented version of the Jetta, offers a more powerful turbocharged gasoline engine and sport-tuned features. While the GLI delivers a more exhilarating driving experience, it also comes at a higher price point.
The Wife Acceptance Factor (WAF) was notably high. Positive experiences with previous Volkswagen vehicles contributed to her favorable impression, and she did not even perceive the acceleration lag from a standstill. She praised the interior, seat comfort, and overall driving feel, and was pleasantly surprised by the absence of typical diesel characteristics she had anticipated.
Disclosure: Vehicle was provided by VW.
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