2009 Volkswagen Jetta

March 2009. The Volkswagen Jetta is praised as offering upscale accommodations in the economy-car class. Its price is on the high side compared to other compacts, but reviews like the Volkswagen Jetta's solid feel, comfortable interior, high build quality and good list of standard features. In addition to top crash-test results, safety equipment such as six airbags, ABS, traction control and electronic stability control are standard. Rear-seat side airbags are optional. Reviewers say the Volkswagen Jetta's ride and engaging handling give it a European-car feel that's similar to more expensive cars.

The least expensive models are the Volkswagen Jetta S (*est. $17,515) and SE (*est. $20,095) powered by a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter five-cylinder. Critics are disappointed in the Environmental Protection Agency fuel-economy ratings of 20-21 mpg city and 29-30 mpg highway for the five-cylinder. The Volkswagen Jetta SEL (*est. $22,965) and sport-tuned GLI (*est. $24,770) offer more power from a 200-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and, surprisingly, better fuel economy of 21-22 mpg city and 29-31 mpg highway, but premium fuel is recommended. All models except the GLI come as a sedan or new SportWagen (covered in our report on station wagons). Transmissions are either a six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic with the 2.5-liter or six-speed DSG automated manual with the other engines. Peak fuel economy is achieved in the new diesel-powered Volkswagen Jetta TDI (*est. $22,270), which we cover in a separate entry.

Reviews point out that base Volkswagen Jetta models compete against the highly rated 2009 Honda Civic (*est. $15,305 to $25,190) and fun-to-drive 2009 Mazda3 (*est. $14,690 to $20,895) although the Jetta offers more refinement and more standard features for its higher price. Critics say higher priced Jetta models lose some of their cost advantages when compared to larger, mid-sized cars such as the sporty 2009 Mazda6 (*est. $18,550 to $28,465) and covered in our report on family cars). Unfortunately, Volkswagen has reduced basic warranty coverage for all its 2009 models to three years, 36,000 miles from last year's four years, 50,000 miles, but now offers no-charge scheduled maintenance for the warranty period.