the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta isn’t a stellar performer

The resemblance is plain to the eye; the V-shaped grille (the new face of VW cars from here on), raked side profile, and the high but truncated boot lid spells junior Passat rather than booted Golf, and perhaps recognising that the rest of the world have different preferences compared to Europe, VW has applied a generous amount of chrome on the radiator grille and copied the Passat's 'brilliant' LED rear lamp design, both of which might just prove to be a big hit here. In fact, take away the branding and the Jetta can even pass of as a product of Japanese styling.

Reviewers say the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta isn’t a stellar performer because it fits the lower trims with cheaper brakes and gives the base model a less powerful engine, which is a huge step down in comparison to the 2010 model. Buyers can choose trims that feature the 2010’s engine, but it will cost more. With these changes, the ride is stiffer, there’s more body roll and more bumps. But press members say the car is still a good driver, it’s just different than the Jettas they’re used to driving.

According to Volkswagen, the 2011 Jetta averages 23 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, which is unimpressive for the class. There is a fuel efficient TDI trim that runs on diesel fuel, but it’s more expensive.


the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta isn’t a stellar performer