The Jetta Wagon is a nice choice for the buyer who wants extra interior room
and versatility in a compact vehicle, yet balks at paying high-end prices.
The Volkswagen Jetta Wagon is an alternative that delivers most of the
content of higher priced utility vehicles and a great driving experience for
thousands less, and you still have the bragging rights to a sporty European
vehicle. The sturdy wagon is priced in the $20,000 to $25,000 price range
and worth every penny.

Although the Jetta is fun to drive, economical and offers a good safety
track record, there is another aspect to consider: how well the car will
hold up after you¹ve owned it a few years. As reported by CNN/Money, in the
J.D. Power and Associates survey of long-term vehicle quality, Volkswagen
scored well below the industry average, which puts a question mark on the
Jetta¹s reliability after the new feeling wears off. On a personal basis,
Volkswagen products cause me more internal conflicts than any other brand.
It just so happens that many friends and family members love and own VW
products. And I like driving them. But it sometimes pains me to get into a
discussion with a friend or relative about a purchase decision, because I
know that despite the fun factor, there may be a price to pay in terms of
mechanical problems down the road.

Our Jetta GLS wagon was well equipped. It offers a spunky turbocharged
four-cylinder that offers amazing performance. Volkswagen no longer offers
the V-6 engine in the wagon, but based on the performance of the turbo four,
the loss of two cylinders is no big deal. The turbo four can reach sixty
miles per hour from a dead stop in less than eight seconds and has no
difficulty accelerating up mountain grades.

Our test vehicle was equipped with two significant options, the sport
package and the luxury-features group. So outfitted, the Jetta offers
leather seating, climate control and a premium sound system. The sports
quotient was enhanced with 17-inch wheels and tires.

For a small, economical automobile, the Jetta Wagon offers a high degree of
safety. First off, the Jetta received a five-star rating from the US
government crash test, the best mark possible. For 2003, the Jetta offers
front-seat passenger and side-impact air bags. This year, protection is
enhanced with side-curtain airbags that drop down from the headliner to
protect outside passengers from head injuries. Our test car was also
equipped with traction control and Volkswagen¹s version of yaw control. Both
systems work to keep the car moving forward in the desired direction, rather
than skidding off the road when things get wet and slippery.

Of course, driving experts might say that the best safety device is a
skillful driver who can steer the car out of trouble. Sometimes this
strategy actually works and the Jetta is one of the best-handling small cars
or wagons available. It offers excellent road feel so you know exactly
what¹s going on and can instantly react to whatever circumstance arises. The
steering responsiveness offers pinpoint accuracy for threading the car
through obstacles, or tracking twisting mountain roads.

What I like most about the Jetta wagon is that it¹s a ball to drive, whether
hustling around the urban environment, taking advantage of the slick
five-speed automatic transmission, or testing the car¹s adhesion on twisting
country roads. The Jetta Wagon never fails to deliver.

The Jetta Wagon is also quiet and comfortable. It can easily accommodate
four adults in comfort. Everyone mentioned its comfort and the generous
legroom in the rear.

The overall fit and finish of the Jetta is quite good, considering its
price. Even though I wouldn¹t call it a terribly attractive automobile, it
still elicited many favorable comments. It seems that spunky utilitarianism
is in this year.
 

 
Vehicle: Volkswagen Jetta GLS Wagon

Price as tested: $24,740

Engine:

         Type: 1.8-liter inline four

         Horsepower: 180 @ 5,500 rpm

         Torque: 173-ft. lbs. @ 1,950 rpm

Fuel economy, automatic transmission

         City - 22 mpg

         Highway - 29 mpg

Curb Weight: 3,291lbs.