2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Steering Wheel Done Right

Pretty much every car I've driven has had better gauges and steering wheel than the Camaro...

Step into a entry-level subcompact like a Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, or Nissan Versa - and you'll find more reasonable gauges and steering wheels than the funky ones that plague certain cars.

Too many designers hailing from art school, not enough time spend researching human factors.

Numbers arranged in radial fashion should be abolished.

When you're engineering and driver oriented you make the interface with the driver the best it can be, when you're retro-marketing and hype oriented instead of paying for R&D you pay to have your car be a Transformer. Still the Camaro is way cooler than a TDI Jetta and one would probably forgive and get used to the rank plastics and boorish steering wheel; it is a performance car after all.

I've always been a fan of the VW gauge clusters. Out of the vehicles I've driven in recent memory, I like the my 2004 VW Golf's cluster the best. As for the wheel, I don't remember much about it one way or another. I did a lot of long hauls with it and never had a problem, so perhaps thats a good thing?

Fit and Versa, yes. Yaris? Don't think so. The wheel's OK, but I really prefer having my instrumentation directly in front of me.

The VW is a textbook example of how to do the wheel and the instrument cluster right. The center stack doesn't wow me though.

The only problem is honestly, the dimming control bites. The red screen in the middle doesn't dim enough at night without taking the gauges down a whack.

Yes that steering wheel makes the Jetta cooler than the Camaro. The Camaro is designed to pay homage to prior models. No one would want VW to try and do the same with the Jetta and they dont. The Jetta's interior is functional, bland and forgettable. Can't say the same for the chevy. If GM made an interior that looked like the Jetta's for the Camaro Scott would be up in arms. Look at all the flak the Challenger has gotten for having such a standard interior.

can't ever please critics. The summary is always: if they just copied this German car everything would be perfect. A Camaro that looks like a Jetta is not a compelling concept.

imho , wheel could have a slightly smaller diameter. Might help with a little more steering feel, sometimes the wheel just feels huge.

I agree with opfreakx, diameter is a ittle big, I prefer the wheel on the M3.

Hey look, 1487 once again made a sweeping generalization from a specific comment.

Please point out where in the post you see a single line stating that the Jetta is superior in any way other than the wheel and gauges.
Please stop annoying everyone with your bias/anti-american conspiracy BS... really, please just stop.

Yes, the instrument cluster and steering wheel in VW's were excellent in my mk4 Jetta. Also Audi, Mercedes are great too. And BMWs in particular have near perfect steering wheel feel and instrument gauge placement. Hrmm...see the pattern?

I like the steering wheel and the gauges in my camaro so its all opinion. I havent felt the new VW steering wheel so im not sure, but past VW steering wheels didnt seem thick enough for my big paws. The problem with edmunds is they say the jetta has a better steering wheel. That is there opinion but they are making it sound like fact. They should say in my opinion the jetta steering wheel is better, or i like the jetta steering wheel better. Not the jetta has a better steering wheel. Also in my opionion i think the Jetta steering wheel is ugly. Its plain and looks like everybody elses steering wheel. Heck it looks like the steering wheel in my other car Saturn Aura. The steering wheel in that car is comfortable but plain just like the VW.

So let me get this straight - illegible gauges on the GT-R are OK because it is a performance car (because you don't need gauges in a performance car?) and the info is repeated on a digital screen. However, bad gauges in the Camaro are cause for a year long bashing session even though it too is a performance car and the information from the gauges is also repeated on a digital screen.

Seriously, please just sell the Camaro now and buy another BMW. There are thousands of customers out there dying to get their hands on one and willing to pay a premium but can't find one available. Then they have to see you take one for yourselves just so you can spend a year griping about a bad steering wheel and visibility, even though many people who have actually sat in one find no problem with those areas at all.

This is going to be one of funniest years of my life.

How about showing an old Caprice steering wheel...apparently, that's the way cars should be built. LOL

I think the gauges on the GT-R & the Camaro are legible. I just don't like the Binacle gauges found on any car, especially those found in Mazdas.

Back to the Jetta:

For a commuter car, the Jetta's steering wheel is much better than a Civic, Corolla or Sentra. The gauges are pretty standard, but I do appreciate the LCD screen in between the Tach and Speedo.

Wait, so you're saying that the camaro should have the jetta's steering wheel and gauges? Wouldn't that leave it with an interior like the challenger? (read booring)

Actually, I'd say the Jetta's gauges, though appropriate for the car it is in and certainly functional, lack imagination beyond the ecstasy backlighting. Remember the complaints of the last Camaro?

I'd say the Dodge Challenger's gauges are the model for other manufacturers to follow- crisp, clear, legible, and they make a statement without being boring.

If I had to go with binnacle gauges, I'd make do with the 2010 Mustang's & Camaro's

The Challenger's gauges are straight from the Charger's and while they're crisp, clear and functional, they are also dated...though let's hope they refresh them when the new generation Charger hits the market.

lol, great post but the steering wheel has changed for 2010 models...this past weekend I test drove one. New standard rims, new HVAC controls, new steering wheel, standard touch screen multifunction display, pretty nice actually.

simple, easy to read boring gauges will beat out any fancy pants chrome trimmed, deep set, convolted stylized guages any day. Ya, so the fancy gauges will look nice until you try and actually use them. But I'll take any gauge pod like the Jetta's any day over that of the Camaro. Dont get me wrong, I really like the Camaro. But I've sat in a couple and I just couldn't get comfortable. I really want to like the car, but it just seems like it is trying to hard to be good.

I actually prefer the meatier unit in the GTI. Though, I'm also kind of a sucker for a flat-bottomed wheel...like the one in the Ferrari 458. Mmmm.

oachalon has it right on. This is all opinion. In my opinion, the Challenger has better gauges than the Camaro and the Jetta. Inside Line has a habit of presenting opinions like they are facts.

FWIW, the steering wheels in past VW's I've driven have never seemed too thin. They always felt just right. I haven't felt the 2010 Camaro's wheel so I can't compare -- although I *do* think the Camaro's wheel looks ridiculous.

I quite like the interior of the 2010 Mustang GT, but for the life of me I can't remember the wheel. Is it a carryover from the previous model?

But in terms of the big 3 muscle cars, the Challenger has really won me over with its extremely clear gauges...even though my initial gut reaction to that car's interior was "Bleh!"

I don't get it...there wasn't even a measurable honeymoon with the new Camaro tester to the longterm fleet. The writers must really be unimpressed with the car to be putting the lashings to it so early (though I am pretty much in agreement with their findings, so far)...or maybe they are stewing the pot to build a nice healthy audience before they unleash what they really think about the car (which will turn out to be gushing praise...just my own theory).

To be fair, there was a recent post praising the back seats, seat release, and, of all things, the gas cap tether hook. That last compliment I even felt was a bit misguided (sure it is there, but there is no reason for it to be that small) but overall the post was fairly positive. I do take issue with the "WRONG" post on the steering wheel, since it was stated as fact and I can say from experience that the steering wheel felt just fine in my hands.

stov001, did you actually steer the Camaro with it in motion, or just grab the wheel in a showroom / auto show? It makes a difference.

@ Stovt001 - Personally, I view the "WRONG" stamp as just Jriz injecting a little bit of comedy while also trying to make a point and grab the reader's attention. He's not trying to pass himself off as the sole arbitor of all things automotive. At least that's how I view it.

I'm not speaking of you specifically, but I can't figure out why people are getting so bent out of shape when they read a blog post that they don't fully agree with.

Before people hit that submit button, they should sit back from the computer, take a deep breath, count to ten, and read what they are planning to post. Objective reflection may bring the realization that they're just dashing off an inflammatory riposte rather than something that contributes to a genuine discussion. /rant

"That is there opinion but they are making it sound like fact."

A blog is all about opinion. You should never take what is said here as the final word. You're always going to need to experience things for yourself. Interestingly, its only ever the spreadsheet shoppers who get stressed about the journalist fact/opinion issue. The rest of us understand its an opinion stated by an editor, but don't fly off the handle if we don't agree.

Then again, certain posters here believe that their opinion IS fact and that contributes to the ridiculousness.

"Please point out where in the post you see a single line stating that the Jetta is superior in any way other than the wheel and gauges."

Just relax brother. The point is a camaro with gauges and a steering wheel from a VW is stupid. Period. The steering wheel and gauges are designed to reference older Camaros. What part of that is confusing? If you want a standard issue dull interior there are plenty to chose from. Once again I REPEAT that the auto media has heavily criticized the Challenger for having a convential interior that lacks the flair of the exterior. I cannot stand double standards or the people who excuse them. If the Camaro shared so much a a part with the Malibu Or Equinox inside people would be up in arms talking about parts bin sharing and GM being cheap. The Camaro is about two things: performance and style. Its not about hauling groceries or bland interior styling.

"Then again, certain posters here believe that their opinion IS fact and that contributes to the ridiculousness."

You are so mature. And always right I might add. I love it when you get on your high horse and act like YOU don't spend a lot of time correcting people and setting the record straight about what we should think and say here. You are right, blogs are about opinions so I fail to understand why you get so bent out of shape when posters disagree with the blog authors. Try to take some of your own advice. Your position no one should take opinions too seriously- unless its an opinion that clashes with the authorities here at IL. Once that happens the blog police come out in force.

"Before people hit that submit button, they should sit back from the computer, take a deep breath, count to ten, and read what they are planning to post. Objective reflection may bring the realization that they're just dashing off an inflammatory riposte rather than something that contributes to a genuine discussion. "

If everyone did that the internet would be barren. Let's be realistic here. If its not too much trouble lets employ some common sense here. The real issue is that its absurd to post about the design of the steering wheel on a car that has been exhaustively reviewed by every magazine/site on the planet already with little mention of the steering wheel being poorly designed. Furthermore, its ridiculous to act like the design is a major design failure when you just paid $2500 over sticker for the car. LAstly, there is no evidence (anecdotal or otherwise) that owners of this very popular car feel the wheel design is failure. Even IL didn't mention the wheel as a major flaw in prior reviews and yet a after a few weeks of ownership Jriz is saying the steering wheel and gauge design are a total failure and is now questioning the sanity of GM's designers as a whole. Why even get the car if its that poorly designed and virtually impossible to use comfortably?

1487: You need to sit back and stop attacking me in every single post you make. You quote me as if I'm talking about you, but thats just your ego speaking. I'm making general statements about the blog and you're making it personal, as usual. I don't know what your problem is, but I think you might live a happier life if you didn't come to these blogs anymore.

You are continually negative and don't agree with any of the information posted. It begs the question: why do you even waste your breath? Why read it when its just ALL WRONG and the other commenters are all import hating liars? Just go away - you will not be missed.

I have no desire to get into mudslinging matches with you over the Camaro - though I have no doubt you will attempt to do so on a daily basis.

@ 1487

once again, you've missed the point.
you have a habit of taking a specific criticism of an IL editor and misinterpreting it as a damnation of the car as a whole. the point, as i see it, of this long term blog is for the editors to point out certain realities of ownership that may not arise from a short-term test of a car. In this instance Scott is simply saying that HE feels the wheel and gauges are better executed in the Jetta than in the Camaro. He never said the Camaro should "have" the Jetta's wheel and gauges, and he never said the Jetta was somehow a superior car based on this issue. So why do you feel he shouldn't be allowed to share his opionion about this?

your posts, both in tone and in actual wording, imply that you think the IL staff rip Chevy and other American cars for no reason other than for being American cars. if you really feel this way, why do you waste your own time reading their opinions? there are many other sources of auto information and opinion available to you. your arguing and rants are only serving to make the experience of sharing opinions on this blog less enjoyable for the rest of us.
i think it's fair to say that most of us are here simply because we're car enthusiasts; please don't ruin the experience for us. and yes, if there was a tool to filter out your comments, i would happily use it rather that wasting my time trying to explain this to you.

"You are continually negative and don't agree with any of the information posted. It begs the question: why do you even waste your breath? Why read it when its just ALL WRONG and the other commenters are all import hating liars? Just go away - you will not be missed."

"your posts, both in tone and in actual wording, imply that you think the IL staff rip Chevy and other American cars for no reason other than for being American cars. if you really feel this way, why do you waste your own time reading their opinions? there are many other sources of auto information and opinion available to you. your arguing and rants are only serving to make the experience of sharing opinions on this blog less enjoyable for the rest of us."

I'm not certain, but I think I'm beginning to notice a pattern here...;)

"Even IL didn't mention the wheel as a major flaw in prior reviews and yet a after a few weeks of ownership Jriz is saying the steering wheel and gauge design are a total failure..." -1487

For what it's worth, the Camaro's odd steering wheel was specifically mentioned in several IL articles prior to JRiz's blog:

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=144431

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=154386

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=144526

Yes, the pattern is someone here needs to skid-daddle. :-)

doug:

Just address what I said to you, not what you made up. when have I ever said that EVERY poster here is an "import loving liar"? never and please tone done the indignation and hyperbole. When have I ever said I disagree with every blog entry? Never. I don't even read or post in 80% of them because they are inconsequential. What evidence is there that I direct every post at you? None. The problem with you is you spend more time commenting on the tone of other posters than actually talking about the subject at hand. apparently you have been designated to regulate the decorum here. Did not know that until recently.

"I'm not certain, but I think I'm beginning to notice a pattern here...;)"

I've noticed a pattern in your posts too. I'll let you guess what that would be.

zcalvert:

Please spare me any future virtual scoldings. Thanks. I can read whatever I chose on the internet. There are no other sites that I am aware of that update information on LT fleet vehicles regularly. Are you aware of any? Didn't think so. The concept is good. Unfortunately they have gotten away from talking about what its like to live with, drive and maintain cars and ventured more into comedic tangents and shilling for BMW and Audi. Its not the concept, it's the execution. That said, some folks like B. Moody seem very logical and open minded. I typically agree with his opinions but I believe he drives an American car and that explains a lot about his lack of prejudice.

No explanation of your POV is necessary, trust me. Same soup, different day. The lack of context is apparent in many of these posts and I would supposed that is a function of driving free cars. How many camaro owners wish their car had an interior that resembled the Jetta? Probably none. They would not buy the car if they were not satisfied with the style and ergonomics. Period. The Camaro is NOT a Jetta and in my opinion little about the Camaro should remind you of a Jetta. I will REPEAT (maybe someone will address this now) that Dodge has taken much flak for giving the Challenger a FUNCTIONAL and yet plain interior. Chevy went in a different direction and now people are saying "this interior is all about style and not practicality". Its called damned if you do, damned if you don't. Don't know how to explain it any clearer. You cannot please someone wiht a Chevy if that person's idea of the perfect vehicle is a VW or BMW or Audi. PERIOD. Over the course of this test I think the summation will be "The Camaro would be nie if it rode like GTI, handled as sharply as the 135i, had the shifter of the 3 series, the visbility of the E coupe, the turbo 6 from the 335i and the interior of the S5." Do all that and its not a Chevy product any more.

jkavanagh:

You are right. Its obviously a much discussed staff pet peeve. Didn't see so much hate thrown at the wheel in other places. I guess you can look at it as trying to find fault when there isn't much available to criticize.

"How many camaro owners wish their car had an interior that resembled the Jetta? Probably none. They would not buy the car if they were not satisfied with the style and ergonomics."

...but some might wish that the interior worked as well as a Jetta's. The Mini's interior was bashed multiple times in this blog for ergonomic errors that were committed in the name of style, and yet most of them sell on style alone. Unfortunately, that doesn't make the ergonomics less wrong.

It's not a black and white world. You can have a stylish interior that works well (like the CTS). The steering wheel in the Camaro doesn't keep me from wanting one, (Hear that? I want a Camaro!) but I wish it was shaped differently. The Mini's interior didn't stop me from buying one, but I still wish some aspects of it were different. The LT blogs exists so the editors can share their opinions about the cars, and I don't expect them to give a car a free pass on anything for any reason (like retro style...Mini or Camaro).

wow. its amazing how he makes up arguments where none exist. i'm guessing someone didn't play well with others on the playground growing up.

sabastian:

I think the Mini is on another level in terms of retro schtick. That interior doesn't even pretend to be serious or functional. I'm not quite sure how we came to the point where the Camaro's interior as a whole is now an ergonomic disaster. Reviews I've seen actually liked the center stack layout and functionality. The steering wheel looks that way for a reason. Take it or leave it. This is not a Camry or Accord or Jetta. Style is at the forefront for the Camaro. Count me as unimpressed by the Jetta's interior. Materials are fine but design (including the gauges) looks like it could have been in the 2000 Jetta.

"wow. its amazing how he makes up arguments where none exist. i'm guessing someone didn't play well with others on the playground growing up."

Actually I responded directly to what you said. Not sure how that counts as "making up" anything. I've thrown out a simple observation that has yet to garner a response: Why would the camaro be better served with a dull, functional interior when the Challenger has been criticized for having one? ANYONE have an answer to that?

i was speaking in general terms about your habit of making up your own inferences and biases from posts about specific issues. your comment above does this... again. the post was simply comparing the jetta wheel and gauges to the camaro's wheel and gauges. it was one person's opinion. it has nothing to do with the jetta's interior being better, has nothing to do with the camaro being american, and certainly nothing to do with the challenger.

look, you're welcome to have any opinion you like, however irrational it may be. i was just hoping (and this is where i think many people agree with me) that you could present your opinions in a less argumentative and superior manner. for someone who is so quick to criticize everyone else who disagrees with you, you seem unwilling to accept any criticism yourself. i don't know how much clearer i can be, but i doubt there's any chance anything changing.

"I'm not quite sure how we came to the point where the Camaro's interior as a whole is now an ergonomic disaster."

We're not at that point. Remember, we are just talking about a few specific issues here. In both cars (Mini and Camaro), ergonomic concessions were made in the name of style. The Mini's issues are well documented, and the Camaro has an uncomfortable steering wheel and poor visibility. Neither deserves a free pass.

The Challenger is at the opposite end of the spectrum. It's interior was lifted from the Charger, and that is disappointing to those looking for a bit more style. Cars like the Mustang and the CTS represent a nice middle ground between functionality and style.

@ sabastian: There have been people here using "complete disaster" (exact words) to describe the Camaro's interior as a whole. I think the Camaro supporters are just getting frustrated that the import fanboys and media have bashed GM relentlessly for daring to follow the auto-industry norm of sharing parts among models, and now that GM has made an interior almost devoid of shared parts, there is absolutely no recognition of that fact. No praise. Even if the criticisms are correct (though I feel many of them are grossly exaggerated) it would be nice to hear about the good things on the Camaro. From the way it is being treated, you'd think it was the unholy offspring of a Trabant and Yugo.

stovt: Your concerns are legitimate, but I assure you, I am no fanboy import lover. My grandfather worked for Ford for over fifty years, and as a result I've always kind of rooted for the Blue Oval boys. Anyway...

As far as the Camaro, I would not describe the interior as a "disaster" at all. In fact, with the inferno orange leather and the four-gauge pack, it's quite pleasing. I give GM huge props for not using any major parts-bin components on the interior, and as a result the Camaro feels special in the Chevy lineup. The steering wheel is a letdown (Yes, I have actually held the wheel in my hands.), but it would not stop me from buying the car. It looks to me like some folks are overreacting to simple criticisms; some by saying things like "GM still sucks," and some with, "Edmunds still sucks." I think if people just take a step back, they'll see that the steering wheel is just a small flaw on a fantastic car.

sabastian:

Nicely stated. I am going to do my best to take a deep breath as well if I disagree with the editors on their blogs.

Some of us are a bit sensitive, since in the past it has seemed like the editors were very critical of domestic long term vehicles(Aura, CTS) right from the start. The constant complaining about the CTS seats without taking it to the dealer was extreme. From the start with the Aura, it was as if the editors were out to prove that it didn't deserve car of the year status.

Contrast that with the absolute gush over the Accord right out of the box, and the GT-R, come on, if any american car were that unreliable, how many blogs would we have read, honestly? Same for the first Fit and now the 370 Z. Transmission problems, not disregarded, but sort of ignored, but we heard about it with the Silverado.

Now with the Camaro, it seems that some of the editors are already making a huge deal about steering wheel. I will grant you that I really like the wheel in my Aura, I am not impressed with the Camaro's. My take on the Camaro is a lot like yours, flaws, obviously, but overall an amazing vehicle for the money.

"We're not at that point. Remember, we are just talking about a few specific issues here. In both cars (Mini and Camaro), ergonomic concessions were made in the name of style. The Mini's issues are well documented, and the Camaro has an uncomfortable steering wheel and poor visibility. Neither deserves a free pass."

The Mini's interior is much worse. It's faddish, overly styled and an ergonomic disaster. The Camaro has gauges that some don't like but work fine and a steering wheel that is too big for track work. Not quite the same thing. Limited visibility is byproduct of a low slung coupe. Visibility isn't great in a Ferrari or Aston Martin either- comes with the terrotory. That isn't an interior design failure.

"If everyone did that the internet would be barren."

You say that like it would be a bad thing. I'd gladly give up my ability to comment if it meant that other people would be similarly restrained.

zcalvert:

You would do well just to read my posts and consider what I am proposing instead of taking it personally. I don't know how long you have been around but I've been around for a while. I get tired of the double standards. If you are new around here maybe you have no idea about what I am referring to- no problem. But if you don't KNOW what I am talking about it might be best to sit back and refrain from commenting. The criticism of the Camaro's wheel and gauges is laughable when you consider how so many have said the Challenger's interior lacked any flair or originality. The Camaro's interior is a modern interpretation of a classic Camaro from 40 years ago. Its no secret why the gauges or wheel look like that. Gauges and a steering wheel inspired by the Jetta may feel or look better but they would be out of place in such an over the top car. The Camaro is not a practical family sedan made for grabbing groceries. GM has other cars that fulfill that mission but this is not one of them. This is akin to complaining about the lack of trunk space or rough ride quality in a Ferrari. If that is what you are looking for you have the wrong car.

"it has nothing to do with the jetta's interior being better, has nothing to do with the camaro being american, and certainly nothing to do with the challenger."

Again, stick around for a while and maybe you will see how all those things are related. Saying "How does this happen? Come on Chevy, figure it out." in regards to the camaro's wheel and gauges is no more relevant than me saying "How does this happen? Come on VW, figure it out" with regards to the JEtta's wannabe Corrola styling and mediocre performance. Will the next post compare the styling and handling of the two cars? Will the Jetta be criticized for having about 1/10th the sex appeal of the Chevy? different cars with different missions that don't even compete. The Jetta is all about blending in and not offending, the Camaro is about standing out.

"The Mini's interior is much worse. It's faddish, overly styled and an ergonomic disaster."

Yes, but like I said before, the discussion regarding the Camaro was just with respect to the steering wheel. I was using the Mini as an example of another car that sacrifices some functionality for style. I never said that one was worse than the other, only that they both do it to some degree. Most of the Mini's issues lie with secondary controls while the steering wheel, shift knob, driving position, and visibility are all good (There was a blog post a while back describing this.)

Also, I see that you are still going on about the Challenger, so I'll just re-post my explanation from before:
The Challenger is at the opposite end of the spectrum. It's interior was lifted from the Charger, and that is disappointing to those looking for a bit more style. Cars like the Mustang and the CTS represent a nice middle ground between functionality and style.

CTS interior is a luxury car interior and its appropriate for that car. Would look out of place in the Camaro and could not be reproduced at $24k. Malibu interior is nice and fits that sedan but would not look right in sports coupe. Furthermore Malibu's center stack is built around "black tie" radio which GM is abandoning. Malibu has vague retro themes inside but the Camaro is a total modern recreation of an old interior. That is why its interior is much more unique and controversial than the Malibu's attractive, but conventional arrangement.