Spy Shots: 2011 VW Jetta Sedan
by Chris Tutor on Aug 31st 2009 at 7:28PM 
2011 Volkswagen Jetta - Click above for a high-res image gallery
After spending time with the Jetta sedan last year, we came away mostly impressed by its performance and looks. V-Dub's bread-and-butter model is handsome enough to keep buyers interested, but every design gets stale and after wearing the same duds since 2004, VW is working on all-new sheetmetal for the 2011 model year.
KPG caught the new Jetta Sedan undergoing hot-weather testing in Arizona, and while most of the shots show little more than swaths of black camo, the heat and wind worked away at the adhesive to reveal crisper lines, a swoopier roof, a more angled rear side window and some snazzy looking taillights.
VW is calling the revised Jetta its "New Compact Sedan" and the Jetta name is in no danger of being changed. Expect the 2011 Jetta to take aim at the Civic and Corolla with a significant drop in its base price when it goes on sale late next year.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Taglane 7:32PM (8/31/2009)
Too bad about the interior. VW needs to take some risks and implement something actually exciting in the inside. Just gray everywhere...
But the exterior looks awesome. I see some Audi, but it's a good thing. VW knows how to design cars to compliment every other car in the VAG lineup. It's amazing.
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FSM 8:13PM (8/31/2009)
Don't you think that maybe the interior is just made up from the parts bin and is not the final design since this is a test model?
Taglane 8:23PM (8/31/2009)
No, but you do. ;)
zamafir 9:35PM (8/31/2009)
tagline's right, it's production trim. oh wells, then again, it's not like the camry or civic interior are any better, i'd wager until they get the picture vw's not going to bring their CC game downmarket.
Jimbo 9:36PM (8/31/2009)
I'm thinking it probably is the new interior. The exterior appears production-ready, so the interior probably is as well and it looks similar to the the new interior in the Golf. It really looks disappointing. VW used to be the clear leader in interior design, but lately it looks like they're more focused in cutting costs and the competition has caught up.
zamafir 9:40PM (8/31/2009)
@jimbo, you're honestly saying the civic interior is on par with the MkV? in terms of quality of materials, placement of controls, everything?
Jimbo 10:07PM (8/31/2009)
Zamafir: I never said anything about the Civic, or any other particular competitor. I just said that the competition has caught up. I'd say the Mazda 3 has a better interior (other than the nav system) and the Cruze and Forte aren't too far off. I also would not be surprised if the next Civic (due in 2011, the same time as the Jetta) gets a better interior than the current one.
zamafir 2:25AM (9/01/2009)
meh agree to disagree, it seems the main reason we're not seeing a huge revision is that the mazda 3 is the only thing which comes close (and from a quality standpoint and some design bits, doesn't meet the bar the MkV set IMHO).
John 10:30AM (9/01/2009)
That is the most bizarre location for the hazard lights' button... Passenger side of the center display.
James 11:42AM (9/01/2009)
Drum brakes Jetta with red socks Bruno...a bad combo.
Felspawn 7:40PM (8/31/2009)
/sigh one of the things that seperated VW from the pack lately has been their great interiors.... looks like they are about to go cheap in a big way to drive down the bottom line. Just when other automakers are realizing that people want classy small cars VW wants to take steps backwards
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pickles 9:17PM (8/31/2009)
Exactly. Their interiors were exemplary in a field of ho-hom. But, as the auto world has raved and raved about both VW and Audi's interiors (which granted are pleasant), it's as if both brands have grown terrified of innovating. Audi's copycat style per every model is SUCH a snore. Seems VW is finding itself gutless as well.
sparrk 6:13AM (9/01/2009)
i guess they have to sacrifice something if they want to make the car cheaper.
Ligor 7:50AM (9/01/2009)
just like GM adn Toyota VW target to become the #1 will be it's downfall
they have to go lower price to get he extra sales, so the interior seems to be in line for cust cutting
too bad - I never would have owned one based on theire rterible reliability, but take away the interior and now they become unwanted
dat 7:44PM (8/31/2009)
I hope the design goes away from the corolla look.
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Brent Schmidt 7:48PM (8/31/2009)
Hmmm haven't seen that one around here (in Marciopa, AZ, where they have their test facility) yet, but I'll keep my eye out for it.Saw a Sirocco earlier today, so sexy. Getting kinda late out here in AZ though, I think they head up to Alaska in Sept or Oct to start the cold-weather testing.
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Kent Pribbernow 7:56PM (8/31/2009)
Tragic. Better grab those 2010 models next year while you still can. Upmarket aesthetics are what attracted me to VW. Now they seem to be joining every other automaker in the race to the bottom.
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Rich 8:55PM (8/31/2009)
Can I take your old one?
Ben Roethig 8:09PM (8/31/2009)
I thought they were giving the Jetta name to the mid-sizer.
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JW 8:16PM (8/31/2009)
Will the new front end design look like this?
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XEEIzU0UA1M/SpiCwl5v2HI/AAAAAAAAPKE/m20-wcrFhoQ/s1600-h/jetta.jpg
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