2010 Volkswagen Jetta Car Commentaar

With a five-cylinder gasoline engine, a new clean diesel option, and even a station wagon model, the Jetta provides a European alternative to compact sedans from Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and Ford-none of which offers a diesel. It vastly outsells the five-door Golf hatchback with which it shares some running gear, proving once again that sports sedans are a safer bet than hot hatches for U.S. buyers. The gasoline models start at $17,605, and the clean-diesel TDI starts at $22,660.

The current Jetta saw a restyle in 2006, when it became significantly roomier but adopted a design that critics think is too close to its Japanese competition. Some critics have grumbled that the new Jetta looks too much like a large Toyota Corolla and not enough like its crisply European predecessors. The interior, though, is superbly Volkswagen, with a sophisticated look and feel to the materials, switches that work smoothly and crisply, and even grab handles that are nicely damped. For 2010, the cabin trim and instrument panel are lightly restyled.

The base engine in the 2010 Jetta is a 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter inline gasoline five-cylinder with 177 pound-feet of torque. (The turbocharged 2.0-liter four offered in former years has been discontinued, along with the sporty GLI model.) The aging five is neither particularly fast nor fuel-efficient paired with either a notchy five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the S and SE models; the SEL comes with a five-speed automatic, which is optional on the other two. The EPA rates gas mileage at 22 mpg city, 30 highway for the five-cylinder with the manual, and 23/30 for the automatic.

Last year, Volkswagen reintroduced a new clean-diesel version of its well-regarded TDI engine for both the sedan and SportWagen models. The clean-diesel VW meets new, more stringent emissions standards in all 50 states and the new TDI models also qualify for a $1,300 federal income tax credit. The 2.0-liter TDI engine produces 140 horsepower, and it delivers 30 mpg in the city and 41 on the highway when matched with the manual transmission, which for the TDI has six gears. The diesel Jetta is now the only model to offer what is by far Volkswagen’s best gearbox: the superb optional dual-clutch DSG automatic transmission, which raises highway mileage by 1 mpg.

The 2010 Volkswagen Jetta is a roomy sedan with a tall ceiling. It gives occupants more room to stretch their legs, bodies, and necks than the average compact, and it has a cavernous 16-cubic-foot trunk with fold-down rear seats for even more storage. It feels solid and well-built at speed, although highway noise can be a problem.

The Jetta gets four stars from NHTSA for front-impact protection and five stars for side impacts. All 2010 Volkswagens come standard with anti-lock braking and electronic stability control, which intervenes when necessary to help keep the vehicle properly aligned and on the road. All 2010 Volkswagen Jettas feature front side-impact airbags and full-length head-curtain airbags. However, supplemental bags for the rear sides remain optional, as do pre-tensioners for the rear outboard seat belts, even as more carmakers fit them as standard equipment.

The 2010 Jetta no longer offers automatic climate control or leather seats, but it’s still very well equipped. A power glass sunroof, a navigation system, and a premium sound system are options. For 2010, Bluetooth connectivity and a multifunction steering wheel are standard on certain models. One bonus: All Jettas have three power outlets (two in front, one in back), and the SEL and TDI even have a 115-volt outlet in the rear seat for charging laptops and the like.

• Dual-clutch automatic transmission
• Tight handling
• Spacious interior, impressive materials
• Clean-diesel gas mileage

• Bland, unremarkable styling
• Lack of options
• Five-cylinder thirst, sluggishness