Just got these hot off the asphalt in Death Valley, a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta mule caught moving the kids to college hot weather testing. No new information to report at this time, but we did manage to, with great threat to life and limb, obtain an interior shot.
While not radically different-- it is a Jetta after all--styling cues from the new Golf are clear.
What's your take? Is this different enough from our Long Term 2009 Jetta? Is it better to stay with what works, or should VW have taken a step in a new direction?
Mike Magrath, Vehicle Testing Assistant
carguy622 says:
10:29 AM, 08/31/09
It's not that different inside, although it kind of reminds me of the last version of the Focus inside.
As I said before the 2010 Jetta SportWagen gets the new nose before the sedan.
dougtheeng says:
10:46 AM, 08/31/09
The interior of the current Jetta was never the problem......its the Corolla exterior. Any move away from the current look is a good one.
1487 says:
10:49 AM, 08/31/09
Huge overhangs and a conservative profile. Do not see how this is going go to do any better. It also looks huge for a "compact" sedan.
actualsize says:
10:59 AM, 08/31/09
One nice change: the tach is labelled rpm x 1,000 instead of rpm x 100! They're finally dumping that ridiculous layout that used the numerals 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, etc -- just like a speedo. OK, it's a small victory.
txmatt1 says:
11:02 AM, 08/31/09
Call the lawyers! We can't let everyone know that small cars might actually be capable of towing a modest amount. Only in Europe is that allowed I guess.
greenpony says:
11:02 AM, 08/31/09
Can't say it looks much different from other VW's I've been in. It's obviously a TDI by that redline.
louiswei says:
11:04 AM, 08/31/09
Center stack reminds me of the older Honda Civics...
http://www.samarins.com/reviews/img/civic_96_int_large.jpg
adavis2493 says:
11:37 AM, 08/31/09
I prefer the look of the current Jetta,even though the exterior is slightly bland.
It looks like the y turned the interior to something you would find in a Mitsubishi or Dodge.
civilag says:
12:03 PM, 08/31/09
+1 dougtheeng
The interior of the current model is typical buttoned down, classy, VW/Audi styling. The exterior of the current is something to be desired though. I used to have an 04 VW Jetta 1.8T. Even after four years I always received complements on the interior. Have been in and appreciated the current model Jetta and other VW products. However, I have to agree with some others who have commented on the rubber or soft touch materials. Some of it did peal off on a few latches and friction points. (Ooh, that drove me nuts till I traded it in). Otherwise I loved it.
mikeolan says:
12:40 PM, 08/31/09
The interior of the current model is pretty close to perfect- my only complaint is the cruise control stalk is counterintuitive (buttons on the wheel or a dedicated stalk PLEASE. The rest of it is fine and of acceptable quality. This looks like a significant downgrade- as if a Ford Fusion and mid-90's Honda Civic had a love child.
The exterior does look a little corolla-y, but at least it's clean and rounded (unlike the Corolla.) I actually think the Rabbit and Sportwagen look fine, it's just on the sedan that it's a little odd.
santiagofdz says:
12:51 PM, 08/31/09
"Is it better to stay with what works, or should VW have taken a step in a new direction?"
Just ask that same question to a group of Mazda enthusiasts when they're talking about the new Mazda 3. I'm a believer in evolution.
civilag says:
01:42 PM, 08/31/09
This picture is of a test mule vehicle. I doubt the materials you see here are of final production quality.
herrstreet says:
03:39 PM, 08/31/09
I want the dash from the new Golf and not this bit of bleh. Really the only complaints about the current model have been it was too expensive when it was introduced and the good motor is very very expensive. I think VW should return to being solid well tuned car with above average performance. Not a Corolla with a nice interior. A Jetta should be a first car for a successful professional, not a mommy car.
throwback says:
04:02 PM, 08/31/09
I have read it will be a little larger, which to me is the current cars only fault. Lack of rear seat leg room.
zoomzoom22 says:
08:28 PM, 08/31/09
The dash (actually the entire interior) reminds me of your SX4...good for Suzuki, bad for VW. And I know it's camouflaged, but it looks like they've gone from vanilla to barely-french vanilla.
lghf says:
12:50 AM, 04/10/10
actualsize says:
"One nice change: the tach is labelled rpm x 1,000 instead of rpm x 100! They're finally dumping that ridiculous layout that used the numerals 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, etc -- just like a speedo. OK, it's a small victory."
It would be nicer to have smaller intervals, say at every 500 rpm. Since my redline is about 4800 rpms.
By the way tachometers which labeled rpms by the thousands were seen in the US on some of the late '90s vhehicles.