| While the 2007 Volkswagen Jetta performs | | | | Drinkers of morning revival juice will |
| more than adequately with the standard | | | | be pleased to note the two cupholders do |
| 2.5 liter 4-cylinder engine, the | | | | not interfere with the handbrake and |
| optional 2.0 liter turbocharged engine | | | | armrest. But be ready for a |
| turns this family car into a genuine | | | | coffee-Tsunami if the sunroof's open. |
| performance car. My tester came with a | | | | On the Road: Amazing transmission |
| slick 6-speed Direct Shift Gearbox | | | | technology and super handling |
| including Tiptronic self-shifter. Added | | | | I'm not certain whether it was the 200 |
| to the Jetta's classy interior it proves | | | | wild horses Volkswagen delivers from a |
| that in Germany you can have your Black | | | | 2-liter engine or the amazing 6-speed |
| Forest Cake and eat it, too. $22,620 for | | | | transmission that impressed me most but |
| starters, $25,595 as tested, EPA mileage | | | | I suspect it was the latter. Other than |
| estimates 25 city/32 highway. | | | | a CVT (continuously variable |
| First Glance: When a sports car isn't | | | | transmission) I've never experienced one |
| practical enough… | | | | that upshifted and downshifted so deftly |
| Unlucky in love, lucky in test drives. A | | | | that I didn't know it was changing |
| short time ago I had the good fortune to | | | | gears. Like the Audi A3, the Jetta's |
| be testing an Accord on California's | | | | transmission utilises direct-shift |
| fabled Hwy. 1, an auto enthusiast's | | | | technology similar to F1 race cars and |
| dream road. Back in Beautiful British | | | | includes Tiptronic, which allowed me to |
| Columbia, my next test placed me on the | | | | control changes manually. Unlike many |
| Malahat, which twists and turns up and | | | | similarly-equipped vehicles I actually |
| over a mountain of the same name. Not as | | | | used it on winding roads. |
| spectacular nor as long as California's | | | | Of course power's of no value if a |
| gem, the Malahat nevertheless offers a | | | | vehicle lacks poise in corners. I'm |
| splendid array of curves, straight | | | | happy to report that the Jetta, with its |
| sections, and from time-to-time, brief | | | | precise steering turn-in and sharp |
| glimpses of the ocean thousands of feet | | | | responses, reacted to my demands, |
| below. As on Hwy. 1, they soon provide | | | | turning the Malahat and other twisties |
| an unwanted close-up if you're not | | | | into a personal playground. Such |
| careful. | | | | handling characteristics, as well as |
| Now I was testing a Jetta Turbo with | | | | being fun for the driver, make for a |
| 6-speed DSG automatic (Article: DSG, | | | | safer car. As I've said ever since I |
| what it is and how it works). Next to a | | | | began road testing decades ago, the car |
| pure sports car, an ideal set of wheels | | | | that handles well has a better chance of |
| for this road. Triple lucky, I also had | | | | avoiding an accident. In normal cruising |
| the good fortune to hit the Malahat | | | | mode the Jetta is smooth and quiet. Back |
| during one of the rare moments when it | | | | seat passengers will find the view |
| wasn't clogged with tourist traffic. | | | | forward somewhat limited and there's no |
| Forgetting for a moment that the Jetta's | | | | center armrest. Two's company, three's a |
| primary duty is to serve as family | | | | crowd. |
| transport, I took advantage of the | | | | Journey's End: Extra power is nice, but |
| near-empty highway to explore this | | | | I'll take the 2.5 |
| particular model's secondary role: to | | | | This was my first experience with a |
| perform for those drivers who, when not | | | | Jetta (diesel excepted) since attending |
| chauffeuring the kids to soccer | | | | the 2005 media preview in San Diego. The |
| practice, like to waltz with a car as | | | | test cars then featured a 2.5 liter, |
| dancing partner. | | | | 5-cylinder, 150 hp non-turbo engine |
| The Jetta's interior is pleasant if you | | | | which I thought offered enough |
| can get through the open door. Now I'll | | | | performance. I still do. But the Jetta |
| admit that as About Cars' token old guy | | | | prospect who demands more can now choose |
| I'm not as supple as I once was but I | | | | a 2-liter turbo and exchange the |
| can still walk upright and at 6-feet | | | | conventional 5-speed for a race-based |
| should be able to slip inside a 4-door | | | | 6-speed. Is it worth the extra bucks? |
| sedan with ease. Every attempt with the | | | | All depends where your priorities lie. |
| Jetta involved neck-twisting and the | | | | In this world of high performance |
| inevitable mussed hair (yes, I'm happy I | | | | automobiles a Jetta 2.0T can outrun many |
| still have hair). The rear seat was no | | | | larger cars with V-6 engines and still |
| better, suggesting that the car's tall | | | | beat them in an economy contest. |
| stance has been sacrificed to style. | | | | Ah, but this is a changing world. In |
| Once in, however, I was enchanted by a | | | | assessing this car you'd be right in |
| handsome and typically German cockpit | | | | admiring it's appearance. You'd make a |
| which immediately telegraphs a message: | | | | wise choice in giving up a little |
| you're here to drive, buddy, so pay | | | | interior space in favor of a more |
| attention. | | | | nimble, fun-to-drive sedan. You'd enjoy |
| All black and gray, the only visual | | | | the European emphasis on driving vs. |
| relief is supplied by a band of | | | | plush comfort. You could have a heck of |
| lightly-patterned aluminum and a touch | | | | a lot of fun, as I did, in the driver's |
| of chrome on the shift-surround. Primary | | | | seat. The question, however, remains: |
| instruments, speedo and tach, are clear | | | | should you plunk down the extra bucks |
| but the engine temperature and fuel | | | | for this example of a Jetta's talents? |
| gauges are too small for a quick glance. | | | | Would I? Probably not. Still, the |
| The console has the same fault. Large | | | | Volkswagen Jetta in any guise is so |
| and simple, it includes one set of | | | | darned good it deserves a place on my |
| switches that require a change of | | | | list of best buys. |
| glasses if you're not wearing bifocals. | | | | |