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