2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan

Review:
Volkswagen previously priced itself above its intended market, but wants to regain the title of peoples' car with the all-new Jetta. At its very base S trim, the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta can be had for $15,995. But forget any tech features at that level--for the good stuff you need to move up to the SEL trim, a little pricier at $21,395.
Our Jetta SEL review car looked like a very good value, even at that price. For one, its navigation and Bluetooth phone systems are standard.
 In an effort to hone in on its core North American audience, Volkswagen has redesigned its highly successful Jetta sedan for the latest model year. This all-new Jetta has been tailored specifically for North America - and it boasts an expanded lineup compared with the model it replaced.
Boasting a design clearly inspired by VW's New Concept Coupe that debuted in early 2010 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the Jetta's design is very clearly derivative of VW's other current offerings.
As a result, the Jetta's wheelbase is now 2.76 inches longer than the outgoing model, while its length increases by 3.54 inches, putting the overall length of the sedan up to 182.6 inches. As a result, the interior is the roomiest ever offered on a Jetta. The sedan is a mere inch or two shorter than the popular fifth-generation Passat, which was sold between 1996 and 2005.
A key benefit of the extended wheelbase is a more comfortable layout of the five-seat rear seating area. Legroom is now a class-leading 38.1 inches, a 2.7-inch gain from the previous model.
Four trim levels (S, SE, SEL, TDI) will continue to be offered, although the base price has been dropped to $15,995 for the entry-level S model.
The base Jetta boasts ESC, ABS and six airbags for safety, along with tire pressure monitoring, remote keyless entry, outdoor temperature display and daytime running lights. Inside passengers will enjoy a pollen filter, power locks, two cupholders, A/C, AM/FM radio with CD capability with an auxiliary input.
Upgrading to the SE trim will add a 2.5-liter engine, 16-inch wheels, V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces, body-colored side mirrors with integrated turn signals, a chrome interior package that accents the rotary light switch, bezels for air nozzles, HVAC controls, parking brake and steering wheel emblem.
The front center console includes a storage box and two cupholders, as well as a rear center armrest with two cupholders. Cruise control, a lockable and illuminated glove box, front reading lamps, illuminated vanity mirrors and floor mats round out the standard features for this trim level.
Available as options, one can add the Convenience package for an extra $1,350, which adds a leather multifunction steering wheel, leather gearshift grip and leather parking brake cover, along with upgraded 16-inch alloy wheels and two additional interior speakers.
Also added is Media Device Interface (MDI) with iPod connectivity, Sirius satellite radio, Bluetooth and heated seats and windshield nozzles. A sunroof can also be added for an extra $1,250.
Next in the trim line hierarchy is the SEL, starting at $21,395, and including everything listed in the SE plus Convenience package, in addition to fog lamps, chrome accents on the radiator grille, chrome trim around the windows, machine-polished 17-inch alloy wheels and rear disc brakes.
Also included is keyless access and push-button start, along with driver's seat lumbar adjustment, interior metal-look accept pieces and a trip computer.
SEL can also be had with the Sport Package, which brings the price to $22,995, and adds a sport-tuned suspension, sport-bolstered seats, aluminum pedals and restyled door sills.
The range-topping TDI starts at $22,995, includes everything found on the SE with Convenience plus sunroof, along with a trip computer, rear disc brakes and 16-inch wheels.
TDI with Nav tacks on an additional $1,200, and adds navigation, fog lamps, chrome exterior accents and keyless access with push-button start.
The latest Jetta also sees the return of Volkswagen's 115-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder powertrain as its base engine, while the previously standard 170 horsepower 2.5-liter five-cylinder will be on the options list. (The GLI trim level is listed as its own vehicle on LeftLaneNews).
The more performance-oriented Jettas come with the 2.0-liter turbocharged TSI four-cylinder, good for 200 horsepower, while the ever-popular 2.0-liter TDI diesel four-cylinder is available as its own trim level.
The TDI outputs 140 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque, and has been modified to meet the latest emissions standards in the U.S., but VW says it will average around 34 mpg in mixed driving and 42 mpg on the highway. Five-speed manual transmissions will be standard across the line (Except for the TDI, which receives a six-speed manual), while six-speed automatics will be optional. The TSI and TDI engines get VW's advanced six-speed DSG automatic.
The all-new Jetta includes several features designed to enhance driver and passenger safety including electronic stability control to help prevent drivers from losing control of their cars and tire pressure monitoring. The Intelligent Crash Response System (ICRS) is unique in its class. ICRS turns off the fuel pump, activates the hazard lights and unlocks the doors in the case of an airbag deployment.

 

2011 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2011 Tiguan is a 4-door, 5-passenger sport-utility, available in 10 trims, ranging from the S to the SEL 4Motion w/Premium Nav & Dynaudio.

Upon introduction, the S is equipped with a standard 2.0-liter, I4, 200-horsepower, turbo engine that achieves 18-mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional. The SEL 4Motion w/Premium Nav & Dynaudio is equipped with a standard 2.0-liter, I4, 200-horsepower, turbo engine that achieves 19-mpg in the city and 25-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard. 

Introduction

There's a gray area between mainstream crossover SUVs and luxury models and that's where the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan resides -- a niche where economy and utility collide with upscale appointments and badge recognition. The big question is, can a vehicle be both mainstream and luxury? The short answer is a waffling, "maybe."
The VW Tiguan's interior is a welcome departure from the plastic-trimmed cabin of the typical compact crossover. The quality of materials in this VW approaches that of premium brands like Audi, while the solid construction of this VW's interior eclipses that of its competition in the segment. Even the Tiguan's road manners achieve a certain level of sophistication. Compared to its rivals, the Tiguan is, in a single word, European.
The Tiguan's styling cues place it somewhere between the larger VW Touareg SUV and smaller VW Golf hatchback. The Tiguan's look has been updated ever so slightly for 2011, notably with a new grille. Other than this, the only substantive change for 2011 is the elimination of the Wolfsburg Edition trim level. All this suits us just fine, as the mix of European charm and engaging driving dynamics is what sets the Tiguan apart from the rest of the compact crossovers, not simply its styling.
At the same time, the 2011 VW Tiguan comes up slightly short in terms of space and utility. The Tiguan's passenger space is decidedly smaller, and luggage capacity behind the rear seat is substantially less than that of the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Even when the rear seat is folded down, the VW's maximum cargo space still comes up about 25 percent shy of its bigger Japanese competitors. Buyers who place a premium on pure utility would probably be better served by something else.
Buyers whose priorities are weighted toward quality and refinement, however, will find the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan a compelling proposition. Of course, even the Tiguan's mix of style and refinement now has been embraced by some of its competition, notably the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage. The VW still has an edge when it comes to interior quality, but we think it best to check out all of the alternatives before saying "maybe" to the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan is a compact crossover SUV available in S, SE and SEL trim levels.
The base S model comes standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, full power accessories, air-conditioning, cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, keyless entry, cloth upholstery, eight-way manually adjustable front seats, Bluetooth and an eight-speaker stereo with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack.
The SE adds 17-inch wheels, additional chrome exterior trim, foglights, a roof rack, a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, heated washer nozzles, a power-adjustable driver seat, heated front seats, leatherette vinyl upholstery, a trip computer, a roof storage console and an upgraded touchscreen stereo with satellite radio and an iPod interface. Opting for the SE's Sunroof and Navigation package will get you 18-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof and a navigation system.
The SEL includes all of the above plus adaptive bi-xenon headlights, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone automatic climate control, ambient interior lighting, a 12-way power driver seat with memory, keyless ignition and leather upholstery. Adding Premium Navigation to the SEL also includes a rearview camera. The SEL 4Motion with Premium Navigation and Dynaudio option rounds off the Tiguan with all-wheel drive and an eight-speaker premium Dynaudio sound system. Options for all Tiguan models include a trailer hitch, side steps, a ground-effects kit of body pieces and 19-inch wheels.

Powertrains and Performance

The 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 that produces 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. All trim levels come standard with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive is optional on the SE and SEL. A six-speed manual is standard on the Tiguan S, while a six-speed automatic is optional on the S and standard on the SE and SEL.
In Edmunds performance testing, an all-wheel-drive SEL accelerated from a standstill to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds, which is about average for other crossovers in this class. Its EPA-estimated fuel economy is again average at 20 mpg city/25 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined for both the front- and all-wheel-drive models with the automatic, while the S trim's standard manual is essentially the same at 19/26/22.

Safety

Standard equipment on the Tiguan includes antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags.
In Edmunds brake testing, the all-wheel-drive Tiguan 4Motion came to a stop from 60 mph in 126 feet -- an average performance. In government crash testing, the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan was awarded a perfect five stars in all front and side crash categories. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the Tiguan one of its "Top Safety Picks" earning its best rating of "Good" in frontal-offset, side and roof-strength tests.

Interior Design and Special Features

As with most vehicles in the Volkswagen lineup, the 2011 Tiguan boasts a premium-style cabin that approaches Audi in its overall sense of quality. High-end materials, solid craftsmanship and even actual metal trim enhance the premium feel. Most controls are large and well placed, and the available navigation system sports a large screen and a simple interface.
Firm, well-shaped seats provide ample support whether you're logging lots of miles on a road trip or simply negotiating a freeway cloverleaf. The 60/40-split-folding rear seat has a cargo pass-through in the middle, so the Tiguan is adept at carrying cargo and passengers at the same time. The rear seat also slides fore and aft to improve either rear legroom or cargo space and the backrest also reclines.
With the rear seats positioned as far forward as they'll go, the Tiguan can accommodate 23.8 cubic feet of cargo. With the second-row seat folded down, maximum capacity jumps to 56.1 cubic feet, although this is about 17 cubic feet shy of the space afforded by the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

Driving Impressions

The 2011 VW Tiguan might not have the most impressive acceleration in the segment, but the torquey power delivery of its turbocharged four-cylinder engine makes it feel lively around town or when passing slower vehicles. When cornering, the Tiguan feels confident and poised, absorbing ruts and bumps with ease. Over rough roads, its high-strength steel frame and heavy-duty dampers add an extra measure of durability.
For the most part, the 2011 Tiguan's electrically assisted steering feels very similar to a traditional hydraulic-assist setup. The steering effort starts light and builds to a moderate amount that won't tax even the skinniest of arms as speed increases. There's not much effort needed for the brake pedal either, as it delivers plenty of stopping power with a modest push.

 

The 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan ranks 5 out of 23.This ranking is based on our analysis of 24 published reviews and test drives of the Volkswagen Tiguan, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
n this economy, the Tiguan will disappoint a lot of shoppers because it’s one of priciest SUVs in its class. Still, the price is fair for what you get: a nice interior and attractive exterior styling that reflect the Tiguan’s German roots.However, at this price, the Tiguan could be better. First, cargo space is on the small side, making this compact SUV less than ideal for families with young children. Second, the Tiguan uses premium fuel and has one of the lowest fuel economy ratings in the class. Third, once shoppers add features like all-wheel drive and a navigation system, the Tiguan quickly approaches $30,000.
That said, the Tiguan is the only German car in this class, which means  you’ll have to check out.These cars start at about $32,000 and can get really expensive once you add options. In this light, the Volkswagen Tiguan is a steal for budget shoppers who want European luxury for less.

2011 Volkswagen Jetta

 

 

2011 Volkswagen Jetta — Review

The 2011 Jetta has a dirt-cheap price tag to match hardware from Honda and Toyota, but has given up some of its “German-ness” in the process. Rougher material selections and a watered-down drive are part of the package of the concessions. Even so, it’s still a winner.

Pros:

 

Bottom Line:

• Attractive exterior design
• Longer wheelbase offers more interior room
• Low price makes for a tempting buy

Cons:

• Steering not as feelsome as last year’s model
• More hard plastic inside
• Softer handling to cater to American buyers
• After years of trying to get its compact sedan to dress the part, Volkswagen has finally managed to naturalize the Jetta. The German 4-door now wears a suit that's bound to strike a chord with the notoriously conservative American masses, and carries a price tag that car buyers will find much more appealing, thanks to a slew of cost-saving tricks. But those changes come with a price all their own.
  Model Lineup
  Volkswagen is offering the 2011 Jetta in four trim levels, from bare-bones to dressed-to-the-nines. Eventually a fifth model, the performance-oriented GLI, will join them on showroom floors. Things get started at S trim, featuring 15-inch wheels and not much else; cloth seats and soul-crushing hard plastic dominate the cabin. Fortunately, stepping up to SE trim takes care of a few of those issues. Stylish 16-inch rollers take the place of the smaller 15-inch wheels, and leatherette seating surfaces show up inside. The interior also receives a small dress-up package in the form of chrome accents around the climate-control knobs.
  You can also adorn your Jetta SE with a convenience package that throws in amenities such as a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a more civilized 6-speaker sound system, though we would be just as likely to opt for the SEL trim. This next step up throws in all of the goodies found in the SE convenience package, but adds hardware such as a fog lights, 17-inch wheels, keyless entry and a navigation system.
  At the top of the lineup is the TDI. It's basically a Jetta SE with disc brakes on all four corners and an uberefficient diesel engine.
  Under the Hood
  Volkswagen has added a new engine to the Jetta lineup for next year. Starting in 2011, you can get your sedan with a 2.0-liter 115-horsepower 4-cylinder engine that produces around 125 lb-ft of torque. The new engine is part of the company's plan to lower the price tag, and it comes bolted to either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic. While the Environmental Protection Agency hasn't issued fuel-economy figures for the new engine yet, Volkswagen promises somewhere around 24 mpg city/34 mpg highway.
  If the little 2.0-liter doesn't serve up quite enough punch for you, Volkswagen is also offering the same 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine found in the previous generation. For next year, buyers will have the choice of the same two gearboxes offered with the 4-cylinder engine. Either way, they can expect the 2.5-liter to churn out a more respectable 170 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, all while returning just 1 mpg worse on the highway.
  The company's endearing 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder diesel engine will also make a return for 2011. It produces 140 horsepower and a ridiculous 236 lb-ft of torque, making it feel significantly larger than its diminutive displacement would suggest. Expect to see around 30 mpg city/42 mpg highway when equipped with either the 6-speed manual or 6-speed direct-shift gearbox.
  As we mentioned above, the GLI will likely debut later in the year, featuring the Jetta engine that we've come to love, the 2.0 TFSI.
  Inner Space
  Volkswagen has proudly proclaimed that the 2011 Jetta was designed to be more in line with American tastes; the company stretched the sedan's wheelbase by 3 inches to add interior room front and rear. Full-grown adults can now comfortably camp out in the back seat without having to fold their shins or collapse a few vertebrae. That doesn't mean things are all sugar and spice in the cabin.
  To begin with, the dash has lost the nice soft-touch material of the last generation, in favor of hard plastic in S trim. Why? Volkswagen is looking to do away with the dreaded "European car premium" that U.S. consumers have to pay for its cars. And the cost of this lower price tag is a less-than-savory interior. In this case, the cabin is borderline cheap. The new switches and knobs aren't what we've come to expect from Volkswagen, either. Flipping through the climate controls, we couldn't help but pine for the weighty clicks of the old hardware.
  That said, plop your derrière in the leatherette-lined goodness of SEL trim and it's easy to forget about the cost-cutting measures. With the leather-wrapped steering wheel firmly in your palms and a comfy bucket seat beneath you, there's little to complain about inside. Throw in the extra legroom and it's easy to believe that some sacrifices may actually be worth the net savings.
  On the Road
  We were able to nab some time in the 2011 Jetta SEL, complete with the company's 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. In this guise, it's difficult to find fault with the drivetrain. Of course, there shouldn't be one. Volkswagen has had years to perfect this particular concoction, and as a result, you're rewarded with a powertrain that's almost perfect — almost. The 170-horsepower engine provides just enough low-end grunt to dispatch with foes in the right lane without too much heavy breathing. At the same time, torque steer is nonexistent. Despite the uniquely torquey feel of the 5-cylinder, zero to 60 mph shuffles by in 8.6 seconds — not exactly rocket-quick.
  Things have gone downhill somewhat on the handling front, though. In another effort to keep the cost down, Volkswagen opted for a torsion-beam rear suspension instead of an expensive, fully independent setup. Whereas the previous-generation car could be coaxed into being entertaining while carving through your favorite mountain passes, the 2011 model is more content to amble from point A to point B.
  Volkswagen also swapped the electric power-steering unit from 2010 for a hydraulic system — a move that typically yields greater steering feel. Only instead of getting more feedback from the helm, we're rewarded with much less. It feels electric, and for that matter, the previous car felt hydraulic. Of course, it's important to remember that Volkswagen didn't build this Jetta for enthusiasts. The company designed the car for average American buyers — a group that tends to be more concerned about the number of cupholders than steering feel.
  Right for You?
  For all of the bellyaching we've done about the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta sedan, the little car holds one massive trump card. It carries a starting price of $15,995 for S trim. That's nearly $2,000 less than the base 2010 version. Start checking off option boxes and the price will rise, however. The Jetta SE will hit your wallet for a much heftier $18,195, while SEL trim starts at $21,395. If you want that silky 6-speed automatic transmission, you'll have to shell out an additional $1,100.
  So, for whom did Volkswagen build the 2011 Jetta? Nearly everyone. The car has grown to be perfectly adept at herding small groups of people to work, school or the grocery store without having the cost-adding burden of performance hardware that most drivers wouldn't miss anyway. The 2011 Jetta is now a perfect alternative to your average Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla — for the first time in the car's history.
  (As part of an automaker-sponsored press event, Volkswagen provided MSN with travel and accommodations tofacilitate this report.)
  James Tate cut his teeth in the business as a race team crew member before moving to the editorial side asSenior Editor of Sport Compact Car, and his work has appeared in Popular Mechanics, Automobile, Motor Trendand European Car. When not writing, Tate is usually fantasizing about a vintage Porsche 911.