Track Tested: 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

"But it's got awesome low end torque!"

Low end torque does not -necessarily- imply fast acceleration or throttle response. Turbo lag in this case kills both.

Queue the fanbois complaining how some other magazine can get a faster 0-60 time.

On a diesel, low end torque generally refers to an effortless feeling part throttle power delivery, and the lack of need to use lots of rpms. But what that translates to is a lack of HP. Still, only 1.3 mph trap speed off the 170hp 2.5 isn't bad at all.

"Queue the fanbois complaining how some other magazine can get a faster 0-60 time."

Are you any better? You logged in just to bait someone and poke your finger in the eyes of VW fans.

TDIs have never been sprinters and no one buys them for that, so the 0-60 time probably won't bother anyone. The flaccid and slow slalom speed is a real disappointment though. I'll add to the growing chorus suggesting a Golf TDI over this unless you absolutely need a couple more inches of legroom.

$26,065 . . .

Yeah that is way too much for appallingly flaccid driving dynamics, from a brand that you *put up with* the reliability of to GET those driving dynamics.

"from a brand that you *put up with* the reliability of to GET those driving dynamics."

What do you know. More opinion less fact. Seriously, what solid proof of the above statement do you have to back that up?

Consumer reports latest reliability info for the Jetta (2011, old body style) was average or better. The reliability for the golf is above average, Volkswagen as a brand is continuing to show strides in reliability. Mercedes Benz was the only brand to do worse reliability wise last year. Before you post, give us some facts to back all your information up. If you are too lazy to do the research than don't post. ( http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/new-cars/cr-recommended/best-worst-in-car-reliability/reliability-findings/reliability-findings.htm )

You have to get it cheaper then $26K. For starters lose the automatic. TDIs always drove better, were faster and got better mileage with manuals.

The older ones just seem to bog with automatics and it seems the larger engine and 6 speed auto haven't improved matters much.

"the Jetta doesn't even have an "off" or "Partial off" button for its ESC. To make matters worse, the stability system is over-the-top intrusive, adding brakes and cutting the throttle if you get the least bit aggressive."

And that's what you'd call a deal-breaker folks.

It's a TDI. I can accept the 0-60. I can't accept the 60-0.

135 feet to brake from 60?

braking is unacceptable. i think the raptor stops shorter.

http://www.insideline.com/ford/f-150-svt-raptor/2010/2010-ford-svt-raptor-full-test.html

it does.

wow that traction control sure does slow the car down.

seems like a set of tires would do wonders for this car in terms of braking and handling. That really is no revelation but maybe this car needs that.

The overall package makes is a deal breaker.....the positives just dont outweigh the negatives with the new model. It has a slightly better than average engine wrapped in a barely mediocre car.

Would take a Cruze ECO over this any day of the week. And I don't even like the Cruze.

"Sounds like a rather boring appliance"

Yep!

The braking results, and much about the slalom and overall handling, comes down to the dreadful Hankook tires, one compromise too many in the attempt to keep an attractive list price on the new Jetta. When shopping for my 2006 TDI, I drove one in my first paint color choice and was terribly disappointed, it squealed and wobbled on some awful Bridgestone tires. The dealer had another one in my second color choice on Continentals, and it truly drove like an entirely different car, and that's what I bought.

The tires also make the stability control go nuts earlier than it should, though I understand the 2011 stability control is more intrusive than in the A5 generation cars.

And to all the VW skeptics who shriek about reliability, please get over the A4 Jetta/Golf disasters, the newer generations are far better. In 140k miles I'm still running with original brake pads, and nothing except routine maintenance and a couple of bulb replacements. As always with VW, the more toys you include in the options list, the greater the likelihood of something not functioning perfectly.

The Jetta TDI is not a track configuration at all, but it excels at brisk but reasonably composed and economical motoring in the real world, as long as appropriate tires are mounted.

What killed this car from my list was the interior. I can accept 26k, I can accept 140 HP and great fuel economy....but I can't accept THAT grade interior, and options, for a fixed 26k price (5-speed manual wagon).

Basically an interior from a 16k car. No option to get nice leather (I said nice), decent power adjustments, or a number of other nice-to-haves. And cheapness all over the place.

Again, it's a great interior even for a 18k car - but at the top-end of the mid 20s as a starting point, no way.

@joefrompa, you mention the 5-speed manual wagon. I think the Sportwagen has a six-speed now, but I KNOW it has a very much higher class interior than the 2011 Jetta sedan. The wagon is based on the A5 generation car, not the de-contented A6, and the interior is sturdy, functional, and well-finished, and MUCH nicer than the sedan's.

seppoboy,

I'm pretty sure that the current jetta wagon is based on the current Golf and not the current or past Jetta.

In fact, I'm pretty sure that it's called the Golf wagon in most of the rest of the world.

Seppoboy -

You are right, slip of the finger. I meant 6-speed manual.

I won't comment on what interior is shared with which platform - frankly, I don't care. I am saying that, to me, JoeFromPA, the interior was not up to snuff for the price. I'm not saying it isn't a nice interior - I'm saying it doesn't warrant 26k.

When I think of 26k, I look at my 2008 subaru legacy gt 5-speed (which I bought for $24.5k on heavy discount) and think - now that was worth $25k.

I look at the Acura TSX and think - well that's only a bit more and is a whole nuther level. You probably get my point.

The feeling of refinement inside was not befitting a 26k car - and at 26k, it didn't even ALLOW me to select certain options in that price range that I would want. Such as decent power adjustable seats and lumbar support.

TDI is the only real diesel passenger car option out there for us in the USA.

Someone mentioned the last model Jetta TDI rating well. That's because it was a much higher quality product with a lot better detailing than the 2011.

The drivetrain is fine. Anyone with a TDI can either mod it a bit for fun or efficiency. Diesels are---SHOULD BE-- a mainstream motor choice. They are the most "eco" and already have a built in infrastructure.

The real problem with this car is that it's no longer a VW. It's VW's imitation of a Corolla: cheap, decontented, no style, generic, appliance-like, nothing to like and nothing to offend.

Since this generation of Jetta and Passat are specifically designed for the American market, it's also VW's view of America: which is depressing as hell.
VW=premium, well-engineered, compact sporty "drivers cars"
VW USA=decontented, bloated, anonymous sedans because the majority of Americans are stupid and fat.

It's sad that VW is willing to throw away what made them popular here. At least they still have "older" models that carry the mantle. GTI, CC, new beetle,

@mrb5091, the A5 Jetta and Golf were the same platform, just a few body differences and the trunk instead of the hatch on the Golf. Jetta was made in Mexico, Golf in Wolfsburg. The wagon has always been known as the Golf wagon outside North America. The A6 Jetta diverges from the A5 Golf by decontenting and is essentially a different platform.

@joefrompa, the Jetta Sportwagen interior is fully worthy of a mid-to-high twenties price tag, as was the A5 Jetta sedan. You could get most up to date options, and seats were comfortable and adjustable. It's the 2012 Jetta sedan, the A6 version, that has a decontented interior and fewer options, to enable it to be profitable at a lower retail point. Though by the time the TDI drivetrain and equipment is added, the retail can creep up ther.

reality is that people drive with TC on so the acceleration figures you see with the TC engaged are representative of what you will get in real world. There is little reason for anyone to turn off TC in normal driving.

Noticed that the test took place on 4-5-2011. Just out of curiosity, why did it take over two months to get posted here?