I've driven our 2005 Jetta TDI around plenty in the last few weeks. To me the Jetta was a work horse, nothing fancy. Just doing it's job to get you from point A to B using the least amount of gas.
But once I jumped into our new '09 TDI, my viewpoint was radically changed.
I'm a big proponent of nice interiors since it's what you're going to be interacting with a lot. To me, our '05 is functionally basic. The small changes made to the Jetta interior over the last few years have made it semi-luxurious and very appealing to the eye.
Looking between the two, the addition of metal accents, improved material quality, a slight layout change and the addition of a sporty three spoke wheel make it seems worlds apart from the functional interior of old.
Besides being a little quieter, our new Jetta drives a lot like the old one. The new interior has sold me, making our new TDI a sought after set of keys for the night.
Scott Jacobs, Senior Photographer
redliner says:
10:40 AM, 01/ 5/09
The layout is very similar, but the materials quality has jumped from economy car to premium-ish. I recently rode in a friends 2009 TDI and noticed that the dash is one piece, and its padded all the way to the windshield. Overall it gives the car a more finished look than the last gen.
hondacura4 says:
11:28 AM, 01/ 5/09
Percieved quality, fit/finish and execution are the main things I admire about VW. Im still unsure of how they can offer premium materials at prices that rival the Japanese and domestics.
The CC and Passat interiors are even more impressive even considering their price points which isnt bad at all with the 2.0T.
firstwagon says:
11:29 AM, 01/ 5/09
Going by the small pictures above, I like the 2005 better. The two tone interior gives a brighter more modern appearance. (I can't tell the details of trim from the pictures)
dougtheeng says:
11:32 AM, 01/ 5/09
I prefer the layout of the 2005 model, but the materials of the 2009. Although you can't really see it in the photos, the current 2009 dash seems really high to me, sort of like a wall in front of the driver. The 2005 model, on the other hand, is at just the right elevation so that you aren't looking at a wall, but you also don't feel like a giant hunched over it.
huyracing says:
11:36 AM, 01/ 5/09
very similar to the GTI... different seats and shift knob. gotta love it!
i never even gave VW's a second thought... in fact, i passed on the mkV GTI when it first came out and wouldn't even give it a chance. (because of my experience with past VW's)
it wasn't until i wanted a daily driver that i test drove one and i found it to be far more than a daily driver. it was so fun to drive!
VW is making some amazing cars these days... if they keep it up, I will have no other choice but to buy their cars. Luckily they don't make high powered sports cars or else i might have to part with my beloved 300ZX Twin Turbo...
brn says:
12:12 PM, 01/ 5/09
I remember sitting in a 2006 and being very disappointed at the interior. It felt ten years old. I can't tell from the pictures, but I hope it's improved.
MS3lvr92 says:
09:06 PM, 01/ 5/09
Yeah I've sat in a GTI and it's very beautiful inside. The cabin has a very nice quality feel that isn't expected in the price class. I love it.
blueguydotcom says:
10:02 PM, 01/ 5/09
Looks nice. Then trim starts to break and peel. And VW will not cover any of it under warranty.
warren_w says:
09:49 AM, 01/ 6/09
I find this blog entry really funny. Supposedly VW has gotten so much criticism about the present interior quality that they are rushing the new version of the Rabbit/Jetta to market. They are making them look more like the 2005 model, because it was more luxurious. You guys are saying the exact opposite! That's awesome!
warren_w says:
09:50 AM, 01/ 6/09
As for the trim breaking and peeling, I find that true; but replacements parts are seriously cheap through mail order.
greenpony says:
11:48 AM, 01/ 6/09
As I was reading through this I was certain that the vehicle on the right was the new one, until I read the part about the three-spoke wheel. I should know better, since I've been in both Jettas. I honestly like the previous gen Jetta's interior better.
Speaking of interiors, a lot of publications are raving about how the Mustang's interior has improved dramatically with the '10 model. In the pictures I don't see that big of a difference. Certainly not a dramatic improvement.
I don't know. Maybe my taste in interiors is skewed.
roadburner says:
09:46 PM, 01/10/09
http://www.carspace.com/roadburner/Albums/roadburner%27s%20Album/1996%20S3%203.JPG
marcus1701 says:
01:01 AM, 01/11/09
I really like the interior....you guys should have got the Blue TDI. I love how the car has a DSG and how it's a Diesel. I think I love the car for it TDI denomination more than its actual fuel savings. It's definitely cool.