The Volkswagen Jetta comes as a four-door sedan or SportWagen in one of four trim levels. Both S and SE models use the 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder engine generates 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the 2.5; a six-speed manual is standard on 2.0T and TDI; a six-speed automatic is optional on any ($1100).
Jetta S sedan ($17,340) and wagon ($18,999) come with velour cloth upholstery, air conditioning, power windows, power locks with remote, power heated mirrors, cruise control, electronic stability and traction control, CD player, eight-way manually adjustable heated front seats with lumbar support and power recliners, split folding rear seat, manual tilt-and-telescope steering wheel, and 205/55HR all-season tires on 16-inch steel wheels. SportWagen models add an intermittent rear wipe/wash and cargo compartment details. Options include metallic paint, sunroof ($1,000), panoramic dual-glass sunroof on wagons ($1,300), alloy wheels ($450), rear side airbags ($350), and iPod interface ($199).
Jetta SE sedan ($19,920) and wagon ($21,349) add alloy wheels, more chrome, a sunroof on sedans, 6CD/MP3/Sirius satellite radio sound system, V-Tex (imitation leather) upholstery and door panel inserts, a rear seat/trunk pass-through and a fold-flat front passenger seat for long items. Options mirror the S model plus 225/45R17 tires on alloy wheels ($450) and a navigation system ($1990).
The Wolfsburg Edition sedan ($21,345) comes with the 200-hp 2.0T engine and six-speed manual or six-speed DSG automatic, essentially with SE content plus 17-inch alloy wheels and dark exterior trim. Options are limited to rear side airbags ($350) and iPod adapter ($199).
The Jetta SEL sedan ($22,790) features the 2.5-liter engine and six-speed automatic, while the SEL wagon ($25,990) uses the turbocharged 2.0-liter gas engine with six-speed manual or six-speed DSG automatic. Jetta SEL models also get 17-inch alloy wheels, body-color front and rear trim, dual-zone climate control, multifunction steering wheel and trip computer, premium sound, HomeLink, a 115-volt rear outlet, and leather trim for the steering wheel and handbrake. The 2.0T SEL wagon also includes partial leather upholstery, dual exhaust, and a 12-way power driver seat with memory system. SEL options include a sunroof ($1,000), panoramic sunroof for the wagon ($1,300), rear side airbags ($350), and navigation ($1,990).
The Jetta GLI sedan ($24,590) uses the 2.0T engine and six-speed manual or DSG transmissions, with shift paddles on DSG cars. Standards include 17-inch alloy wheels and performance tires, AC, highline instrument cluster, Interlagos cloth seats, leather shift and brake handles and multifunction steering wheel, 10-speaker 6CD sound system, and bi-xenon headlamps. Upgrades include rear side airbags ($350), sunroof ($1,000), 18-inch wheels, Autobahn package ($2,405) with leather upholstery, power lumbar, sunroof; and the navigation system ($1,990).
Jetta TDI sedans ($21,990) and wagons ($23,590) use six-speed manual or DSG transmissions and are equipped much like SE sedans without a sunroof. TDI options include rear side airbags ($350), 17-inch ally wheels ($450), sunroof ($1,300), iPod adapter ($199), and navigation ($1,990). The U.S. federal government is offering a tax credit, estimated at $1300 for a diesel Jetta.
Safety features that come standard include front airbags, front passenger side-impact airbags for torso protection, and curtain-style airbags for head protection front and rear. Rear side airbags, which are not recommended with child seats and small occupants, are optional. All Jettas have anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), brake assist, traction control (ASR) and electronic stability control. Roadside assistance is included in the Jetta warranty package.