2004 Volkswagen Jetta Review

Specifications

Sensibly Efficient

From one extreme to another. Having just tested a massive new SUV for a week, it was a pleasure both in my pocketbook and on my parallel parking nerves to pilot a 2004 Jetta Wagon.

Equipped with the German automakers soon-to-be-legendary 1.9-liter turbo diesel four-cylinder engine, this sensible vehicle is the right car for these very non-sensible times. No, not the fact reality TV shows dominate our airwaves nor that a great big screen superhero has become a garden variety politician. Im talking gas prices, a subject of daily conversation these days from Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon.

Long the redheaded stepchild of the North American automotive marketplace, the diesel engine is making a strong bid in these high-priced petrol times to finally get a decent foothold in the United States. A full 60 percent or so of European vehicles run on diesel fuel, and major improvements to reduce both emissions and engine noise have been acheived over the past decade.

VW has long been a diesel engine champion, and its great to see this compact 1.9-liter engine in so many of the vehicles sold in the U.S. these days.

Producing 100 horsepower and a formidable 177 lb-ft of torque, VWs most fuel efficient powerplant is more than up to the job of hauling a loaded Jetta Wagon up and over Colorados mountainous roadways let alone the tedious grind across the flatlands and into the Mid-West.

True, off-the-line acceleration isnt in a class with many other German automobiles, but to paraphrase that old saying, “Drivers do not live on speed alone.” At least the diesel feels a lot quicker than the base 2.0-liter gas-powered Jetta Wagon.

For 2004, the Jetta Wagon is available in two trim levels — GL and GLS — though three engines, three gearboxes and a number of option packages are available. In addition to the 1.9 TDI engine, a 115 horsepower 2.0-liter with 122 lb-ft of torque and a powerful 180 horsepower 1.8-liter turbocharged powerplant (1.8T) with 173 lb-ft of torque can be selected. All three engines can be mated to one of two transmissions, starting with a five-speed manual as standard on all configurations, plus the option of a four-speed automatic on base 2.0-liter cars or a five-speed automatic with Tiptronic manual mode available as part of the TDI or 1.8T models.

My GLS TDI tester came with the top-line Tiptronic gearbox and a fair helping of options, including the Leather Package ($1,050) adding leather seating surfaces, shift knob and hand brake handle, plus a leather, multi-function steering wheel. When chosen, the Leather Package also includes the $150 Cold Weather Package at no extra charge, featuring dual heated front seats and heated windshield washer nozzles.

Other options include Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) ($280), OnStar telematics ($699) and of course the auto transmission ($1,075).

VWs of late have been priced slightly under the more prestigious German competition (Audi, BMW and Mercedes) and slightly over comparable domestic models.
Given the gas consumption figure of this wagon, though, at 36 mpg in the city and 47 mpg on the highway, you have to figure operating expenses into a final cost calculation. While the base TDI Wagon starts at a somewhat reasonable $19,670 (factor in that despite its premium-level tactile quality, power features and standard air conditioning its a relatively Spartan compact wagon for over $1,500 more than Mazdas fully loaded 3 s 5-Door), my tester started encroaching in on BMW, Volvo, Audi territory fully trimmed out at $24,734.

In a recent review of an all-new full-size sport utility vehicle, I pointed out that at current prices a 60 mile trip would cost around $13. The same distance traveled in the equally comfortable and almost as spacious Jetta Wagon would set you back about four bucks. Go figure.