by Alex Kramer

Pros:

1. German build quality
2. Luxurious interior
3. Improved acceleration
4. Confident handling
5. Classy styling

Cons:

1. Hefty curb weight
2. Drivetrain could use refinement
3. Intrusive center console
4. A bit pricey for a compact

Introduction

When it comes to the finer things in life, the place of origin often matters. Whether it’s a pair of Italian leather loafers, a Swiss watch, or a bottle of French wine, we’ve come to associate certain countries with quality craftsmanship in key products they produce. In the realm of cars, Germany has an enviable reputation for producing the worlds finest, with brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi representing the pinnacle of high-performance, luxury automobiles. Unfortunately, this level of quality often comes at a price. Or does it? The Volkswagen Jetta brings German design and engineering to a car that starts at well under $20,000. But does it still retain the same qualities that make other German cars so special? After a weekend of driving around the San Francisco Bay Area, we’re ready to weigh in on this budget Bavarian.

Driving Impressions

Our silver Jetta SE test model came nicely equipped, with options such as a 16″ alloy wheels, power moonroof, satellite radio, and 6-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. This pushed the MSRP to just over $22,000, and out of true budget territory, but the Jetta was never meant to be some generic econobox. From the rock solid build quality, to the composed ride, to the top-notch interior, the Jetta exudes a classiness that’s way beyond the average compact sedan. In fact, I’m sure a well-equipped Jetta would give some smaller luxury sedans a run for their money. Still, the car had a few quirks up its sleeve, including an uncommon 5 cylinder engine design and bold Audi derived front-end styling. Like the commercials Volkswagen uses to advertise the car, the Jetta presents a unique entry in the mass-market small car segment.

Build

All it takes is to open and close one of the doors on the Jetta, and feel the nice resounding “thunk”, and you know the car in front of you is a solid piece of engineering. Teutonic is an adjective often used to describe German cars, and it definitely fits here. Everything from the exterior paint to the interior surfaces exudes quality in both materials and design. The only penalty for all this solid engineering is a hefty curb weight of close to 3300 lbs., which is several hundred pounds more than most compact cars.

Interior Comfort and Ergonomics

The interior fit and finish is exceptional for a car of this price. The quality of materials used on the interior surfaces is outstanding, and the layout and design of the various controls is excellent. Front and rear leg room is also exceptional for a compact car, with plenty of space for four full-sized adults, and the trunk can easily handle several large suitcases.

My only complaint has to do with the way the center console is designed. If you have longer legs, like I do, the unique design of the console, which swoops toward the dash in an arc, could cause it to bump up against your right leg. Although this was just a minor annoyance, it proved more aggravating over time.

Performance

When Volkswagen introduced its 2.5 liter 5 cylinder power plant as the base engine for the Jetta in 2005, it was a step up from the previous 4 cylinder engine, but it was still widely critiqued for offering less than stellar performance. For 2008, Volkswagen has re-tuned the engine, with 170 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque now available, up from 150 hp and 170 lb-ft. Although these might seem like modest gains, they provide big dividends when you punch the throttle. While not quite sports car quick, acceleration is brisk off the line, with the 6 speed automatic transmission working through the gears in quick succession. Once you get moving, all it takes is a downshift or two and there is plenty of power to make a quick pass or merge into traffic.

Although the improved performance of the engine/transmission was much appreciated, especially during spirited driving, there is still a lack of drive train refinement, especially compared with some of the products coming from Japan. The 5 cylinder engine gets thrashy when you start to approach the redline, and the transmission seemed a bit abrupt when shifting - especially at slower speeds.

Handling

Once you get out on the open road, the fact that the Jetta’s suspension was tuned on the autobahn will become very apparent. At slower speeds, the shocks almost feel too stiff and unforgiving, but at freeway speeds the suspension is nicely composed and controlled. Steering is also very solid and gives enough input so that the driver feels connected to the road, but not so much to make it jarring. Unlike some other compact sedans, which have a gotten a lot taller in height, the Jetta rides nice and low to the ground, which imparts an athletic, sporty feel.

Should you enter some twisty sections of road, don’t worry, because the Jetta is easily up to the challenge. Body roll is minimal and overall grip is quite good, being limited primarily by the all season Michelin tires and the somewhat heavy overall weight. And even if you start to loose traction, the car remains quite neutral at the limit and is easy to bring back in line.

Styling

The Jetta cuts a nice sleek profile and generally looks like a slightly smaller, sportier version of the Passat. The front end of the car is quite aggressive, with a bold grill and chrome accents that are similar to those used by Audi, VW’s corporate sibling. Multi-spoke 16” alloy wheels and a dual-tip chrome exhaust compliment the athletic look of the car. The easy to use moonroof and dark interior colors also add a nice touch of style.

Value

For a compact car, the Jetta doesn’t seem like an exceptional value. The $22,000 price of our SE test model is quite a bit more than most compacts, and this isn’t the most expensive model. A fully loaded GLI will set you back close to $25,000. For that money you could get a nicely equipped Honda Accord, or even a gently used BMW 3 series. So, if basic transportation is the goal, the Jetta is not a great deal. Yet, given the level of build quality, design, styling, and luxury, the Jetta is in a different league from most compacts, and could even be compared with some entry-level luxury sedans. From that perspective, the Jetta might just be the greatest value in the compact segment, and it is definitely a great value when you compare it to other cars with a “made in Germany” label.

Who should buy it

If you’ve just entered the workforce and want to buy a nice new car, but can’t afford anything too fancy, the Jetta could be just the right compromise. It’s more stylish and luxurious than other compacts, but still affordable enough for the masses. Volkswagen should sell a ton of them.

>> See all of the Volkswagen Jetta photos in our photo gallery

>> Read more Volkswagen Jetta reviews submitted by the CarReview.com community

>> Details of the 2008 VW Jetta can be found on the specs page

>> Volkswagen of America presents U.S. vehicle information, pricing, incentives, deals, comparisons on Eos, GTI, Jetta, New Beetle, New Beetle Convertible, Passat, Passat Wagon, Touareg 2, Rabbit, R32 and the GLI with links to VW dealers, owner information, Volkswagen merchandise, and VW accessories.