2004 Volkswagen Jetta Review

Specifications

Stingy Diesel Has Never Been So Generous

The off-the-line pep of Volkswagens compact Jetta diesel wagon took me by surprise. Wheat Beige in color, the 5-speed automatic wagon bore the “TDI” badge that has become synonymous with fuel efficiency in North America.

It was relatively quiet for a diesel for sure, but it certainly didnt behave like one when departing from standstill.

Also on the go, and almost as quickly, is the rising price of fuel. More than any previous time in its lengthy existence, the diesel Jetta now makes sense.

Historically many people - including yours truly - held an anti-diesel bias. Noisy, slow and frequently smoky, these workhorses were often the target of venomous wrath spewed by drivers of big-block V8s. But time has interceded and diesel technology is much improved. Modern diesels burn cleaner quieter and more efficiently than they did not less than a decade ago.

The evolution of diesel technology combined with unpredictable American fuel prices is nourishing a diesel revival of sorts. The burgeoning popularity of diesel power is built on a foundation of stingy fuel consumption and engine longevity. And thanks to Volkswagens new for 2004 “PD” technology, the 1.9-liter I-4 diesel now kicks out 100-horsepower and a walloping 177 foot-pounds of torque. Thats a gain of 10-horsepower and 22 foot-pounds of torque over last years 1.9-liter TDI.

Outwardly the Jetta has changed little from 03 to 04, which is good as I find it one of the best looking wagons rolling the streets of America, Europe or wherever else the popular Wolfsburg, Germany assembled buggy is being sold. Proportionally, the Jetta is spot-on for a compact wagon. Its lines are conventional, restrained and consistent with its well-established VW lineage. Body panels are tight and accurately fitted; and thanks to a surround of large windows, outward visibility is unrestricted. I found the beige color of my tester infused the car with a light airiness that was very appealing and relaxing to look at.

Its relaxation appeal was heightened when I opened the drivers door and parked myself inside the Jettas superb interior, which in my unit was trimmed in matching beige leather. Overall, Volkswagen has done a marvelous job of creating an interior that treats its occupants to a premium sense of quality and comfort, far beyond that offered by most of the Jettas competitors. The entire dash layout is logical, clear and intuitive, not to mention colorful at night thanks to a dramatic red on blue, gauge cluster lighting scheme. After a very short time in the drivers perch, I became innately familiar with the controls, where they were and how they operated. Take for instance the three rotary dials administering the heat, air conditioning and ventilation systems, or the large lever for adjusting driver and front passenger seat height. These are good examples of how Volkswagen has averted the trend to electrify, digitize and unify controls.

Immediately apparent when casting eyes and hands about the Jettas interior is the quality and substance of all its surfaces. The Jetta is devoid of ill-fitting plastics and the fake metallic trim that so often is found in cars attempting - with little success I might add - to conceal a low rent image. In addition to eye pleasing design and execution, the layout of the wagons interior makes maximum use of its generous dimensions - at least generous for compact class wagon. Leg and headroom is abundant, as is cargo space when the rear seats are folded down.

It was no surprise to find the Jetta equipped with firm, highly supportive seats. Anyone who has ever spent time in a modern Volkswagen will know what I mean. Drivers entrenched in the world of over-stuffed, pillow-top seats delivered by domestic automakers in the 70s and 80s will be in for a big surprise. Initially feeling hard, the VW furniture is about as comfortable and fatigue-free as car seats get, regardless of price. Complementing the indulgent seating is a cabin structure that is solid and rattle free, not quite tomb-like, but well insulated from outside rigors nonetheless.

Although the Jetta is excellent at diminishing road and wind noise that often plagues compact wagons, its diesel powerplant generates more interior clamor than a gasoline engine would. The growl of the diesel really only presents itself in a noticeable way during acceleration. Its never a frenetic howl, but more of a slower-paced rhythmic clattering, which I have to admit to developing a bit of an affection for over the many miles I drove throughout the week. Accompanying the sound that only an owner could love is greater low-RPM vibration than normally found in todays highly refined inline four-cylinder gas engines. But such characteristics are part of the diesel experience and as quirky as this may sound, they can be quite enchanting.

Particular to the Jettas 1.9 -liter TDI PD diesel engine is the robust acceleration that I mentioned at the start of this review. Its 177 foot-pounds of torque is readily available from the idle stage onward. The torque develops so rapidly that overwhelming the front wheels is very easy to unintentionally do when pulling away from a stop. About town the Jetta TDI wagon delivers all the get-up-and-go I expected from a small diesel engine. Where the limitations become evident is on the highway. Passing semi trucks can be dicey, if not unwise to attempt. The diesel powered Jetta wagon has no difficulty at all in maintaining its speed and momentum on the highway, but sprightly acceleration is not in the cards, even with the expanded set of cogs the 5-speed autobox brings. To put this into perspective, Car and Driver magazine obtained a 0 to 60 mph time of 11.3 seconds in a 2004 Jetta sedan, equipped with 5-speed manual transmission.

Although passing performance in the Jetta TDI wagon may be marginal, highway cruising is absolutely splendid. The Jetta is quiet and composed on the road. In fact, its ride feels like that of a larger car. Whether on a highway or a scaly back road, the Jetta wagon spoils its occupants by absorbing pavement hostilities before they unduly transmit their harshness into the passenger compartment. Admirably, the compliant suspension doesnt come at the cost of competent handling. The Jetta wagon is nimble about town and quite inspirational when twisty roads lay ahead. While providing substantial road-feel and plenty of feedback, the firm steering setup delivers precise and predictable turn-in. Even with its passenger car tires, my tester held a tight arc throughout a high-speed turn without exhibiting excessive front-end plow. The faint cry of overtaxed tires and slight understeer being the only indications that the Jettas cornering threshold was nearing.

Not only does the Jettas neutral-feeling chassis provide predictable handling, its architecture minimizes body lean and sway during severe cornering or rapid lane changes. The suspension arrangement that so aptly performs all of these functions is fully independent and consists of McPherson struts, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers and an integrated stabilizer bar at the front. Working the rear is a torsion beam axle, coil springs, telescopic gas pressurized shock absorbers and a stabilizer bar.

Fine handling enhances a vehicles safety, especially when an emergency maneuver is undertaken. Maximum braking often accompanies or follows such maneuvers, and in the case of the Jetta wagon, fine handling is augmented by tremendous braking ability. The Jetta is attired with four wheel antilock disc brakes accompanied by electronic brake-force distribution. Very little pedal pressure is needed to drop the wagons anchor and return the car to a stationary state. As pressure is applied to the pedal, braking force is delivered in a linear and progressive manner until, if needed, the antilock system engages. Emergency braking generates negligible nosedive, thanks again to the sophisticated suspension setup and the well-balanced Jetta chassis.

Volkswagens engineers didnt stop at just good brakes in ensuring the Jetta would be a safe vehicle for families. Regardless of trim level or selected option packages, the family oriented wagon is equipped with driver and front passenger frontal airbags, plus driver and front passenger side airbags. And to ensure that all occupants are protected in the event of side impact or rollover collisions, a side-curtain protection system is available. Engineered to prevent rollovers due to a loss of control is Volkswagens electronic stabilization program, which is available as an option.

The well-stocked Jetta TDI is nicely equipped with many standard goodies such as power locks and windows, cruise control, rear seat heat and AC ducts, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, 8-speaker AM/FM CD and adjustable head restraints. A Leather Package, which my tester proudly sported, is available in the Jetta wagon. Ticking the leather box will add leather seating, steering wheel mounted audio and cruise control buttons, plus a leather shift knob and handbrake handle. In addition to leather surfaces the seats also receive seat back map pockets and adjustable lumbar support.

Although the practical Jetta TDI is a terrific little wagon in many ways, its real magic centers around its ability to make a gallon of fuel do what a gas engine cant - and that is propel it some 47 miles. With around town fuel consumption reaching 36 miles per gallon and 47 miles per gallon on the highway, the Jetta TDI wagon may be the perfect set of wheels for those tempted by a hybrid gas/electric vehicle but somewhat skeptical about the longevity of such technology. Torque-abundant, fuel-stingy diesels have been powering all forms of transportation, large and small, since the internal combustion engine was invented. In the case of the 2004 Jetta TDI, that stinginess has never been so generous.