The Jetta We've Been Waiting For The motoring press hasn't had the greatest of relationships with the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. When the sedan debuted, critics slammed the newest generation as a Walmart interpretation of a model many of us had grown up loving. The nicer-than-expected materials, playful handling and quiet cabin had all been scrapped in favor of a bargain basement price tag wrapped in styling as risky as sunblock in summer. The machine simply felt like the latest casualty of the Volkswagen campaign to become the world's largest automaker. To make matters worse, buyers didn't ... Read More

Vital Stats

Engine:: Turbo 2.0L I4
Power:: 200 HP / 207 LB-FT
Transmission:: 6-Speed DSG
MSRP:: $26,484 as tested

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First Drive: 2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 1314719820

A GTI For The Masses We've given Volkswagen a fair amount of flack for the 2011 Jetta – and justifiably so. All the things we held dear in previous generations – high-end materials, solid driving dynamics and that general sense of premium the Germans do so well – were all nixed in the name of market share. But as we suspected, it's ...
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First Drive: 2011 Volkswagen Jetta gets with the (American) program 1279727820

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First Drive: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 1221839880

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First Drive: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen 1209920580

While we were in Virginia attending the inaugural race of the Jetta TDI cup series, Volkswagen provided us hacks with a some new Jetta Sportwagens with which to make the 45 minute morning and evening commute between the Berry Hill Inn and the race track. Like the last generation Jetta Wagon, the new Sportwagen is branded as a Jetta in North America ...