2010 Volkswagen Jetta

Review

Sporting a new interior and body for 2010, the Volkswagen Jetta is looking and feeling better than ever. The vehicle looks and handles like a high-priced German luxury car, which belies its modest starting price of $17,605. In fact, in the North American market, the Jetta is most affordable German sedan/wagon available. With three different engine choices and two possible body styles, the 2010 VW Jetta has something to offer everyone.

Specifications

An overview of the 2010 Jetta's specifications follows.

• Price: $17,605 - $24,310 MSRP
• Fuel economy: 21 mpg city, 30 mpg highway
• Engine: three options ranging from 140-200 horsepower
• NHTSA crash ratings: 4/5 driver front, 4/5 passenger front
• Standard features: power locks with remote, power windows, cruise control, electronic stability control, CD player, air conditioning, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, and more
• Options: sunroof, metallic paint, rear-side airbags, alloy wheels, and iPod interface

Engine Customization

Part of what gives the VW Jetta its universal appeal is the ability to choose any one of three engine options. The base model comes with a 2.5-liter engine with five cylinders and 170 horsepower. For drivers who want optimal fuel economy, Jetta also offers a 2.0-liter, 140-horsepower TDI clean-diesel engine option. For drivers who want performance, there is the 2.0-liter, 200-horsepower turbo engine, included in the Wolfsburg Edition. If you opt for the 2.5-liter engine, you may choose between a five-speed manual transmission and a six-speed automatic Tiptronic transmission. TDI buyers can choose between a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic.

New for 2010

The 2010 VW Jetta comes in both a sedan and a wagon body style. The wagon is completely redesigned, with a new bumper, fender, headlights, hood grille, steering wheel, instrument panel, inside door panels, and fabric. The new Jetta also comes standard with a respectable array of safety equipment, including anti-lock brakes, six air bags, traction control, electronic stability control, and tire-pressure monitoring.

The Bottom Line

You'd be hard-pressed to find a compact sedan as affordable, stylish, and versatile as the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. Although categorized as a compact sedan, the Jetta is amazingly roomy and could easily compete with any smaller mid-size sedan. The 2010 Jetta is capable of impressing just about anyone, from the environmentally-conscious to the performance seekers. The Jetta also has state-of-the-art safety equipment normally found only on high-priced vehicles. If you want an inexpensive vehicle that feels like so much more, the VW Jetta will not disappoint.