Review and photos by Paul Williams
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Photo Gallery: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta Wagon
Washington DC - There's a fear among car manufacturers -- especially American ones -- about station wagons. Their nightmare is row upon row of unsold wagons, dismissed by consumers as too dull, too utilitarian -- just a bit too country, squire.
European companies like them, though, as wagons sell well overseas. Canadians like them too, but we often don't count when it comes to model availability (Ford recently cancelled its Focus Wagon, a popular model in Canada, but not in the U.S.).
Luckily, Volkswagen (hey, they even have "wagen" in their name!), has a long history with this type of vehicle and is unafraid of putting them out there. Which brings us to the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta Wagon -- all-new this year, with a choice of feisty 2.5-litre five-cylinder 170-horsepower gasoline engine, or clean and modern 2.0 litre TDI (turbo direct injection) four-cylinder engine making 140 hp and a mighty 236 foot-pounds of torque at a quickly accessible 1,500 rpm.
The outgoing Jetta Wagon was very popular in Canada, but was also rather square and plain. This new version is a complete redesign, bigger in all exterior dimensions, sleek and eye-catching. As a matter of fact, it looks so much bigger than the previous model that I checked the dimensions of an earlier generation (late '90s) Passat wagon (a midsize vehicle at the time) and guess what? It's bigger than that (same length, but taller and wider).
2009 Volkswagen Jetta Wagon. Click image to enlarge
The 2009 Jetta Wagon 2.5 (called a SportWagen in the U.S., by the way) can be purchased in three trim levels, starting with the $23,475 Trendline, moving to the $25,875 Comfortline, and culminating in the $29,375 Highline (the fact that these sound like waist sizes for men's trousers is perhaps an accident of translation?).
The Jetta Wagon TDI features the same trim levels at slightly higher prices: $25,775, $28,275, $31,675 respectively. Entry pricing for 2009 represents a drop of $2,475 compared with the previous model.
Even in base trim, the Trendline is a fairly complete package, including semi-automatic air conditioning, power door locks, power windows with auto up/down on all windows, eight-speaker audio system with auxiliary jack, split folding rear seat with rear pass-through, cargo cover, 16-inch steel wheels, power heated mirrors, and side impact airbags.
The Comfortline adds 16-inch alloy wheels, premium audio with 10 speakers and six-disc, in-dash CD changer, leather wrapped steering wheel, shifter and handbrake lever, power reclining driver's seat, heated front seats and windshield washer nozzles, chrome exterior trim, front and rear floor mats and front-centre armrest with storage.
2009 Volkswagen Jetta Wagon. Click image to enlarge
The Highline includes a panoramic power sunroof, leather seating surfaces, multi-function steering wheel, rear centre armrest with cupholders, multifunction trip computer and digital compass.
Stand-alone options on the three trim levels include electronic stability control ($450) and side-curtain airbags. Available on the Comfortline is the panoramic sunroof at a likely $1,600 (price unconfirmed at this point). The absence of standard stability control, especially for the Canadian market, is something of a disappointment. The cost to add it is not high, but actually getting a version with this feature may prove problematic.
Along with the expected colour choices of grey, silver, blue and white, Canada gets Wheat Beige Metallic and Spice Red Metallic, so if you want your 2009 Jetta Wagon to have a Canadian identity, choose one of those colours.
The 2009 Jetta Wagon has a very... how shall I say... technical feel to it. By that I mean very precise and finely crafted. This extends from the look and feel of the instruments and controls, to the fit and finish of the interior panels, to the driving experience on the road. This car will definitely appeal to the owner looking for "German engineering" in a modestly priced, practical vehicle.
2009 Volkswagen Jetta Wagon. Click image to enlarge
We drove a Highline vehicle in silver with a light grey interior. Front seating was firm and supportive (the driver's seat slides way back to accommodate taller drivers), rear seating and legroom was sufficient and cargo room large and evenly proportioned. The compact independent rear suspension, as you would expect, doesn't intrude into cargo space.
The rear hatch opens wide and the rear seats fold flat (the seat squabs lift and tumble forward, enabling the seat backs to fold flat).
The 2.5-litre engine pulls strongly and accelerates willingly (although it doesn't sound particularly sporty under acceleration). Suspension is quite firm in the German style, which produces sharp handling and a welcome feeling of control at speed. The ride is not soft, however, so if you want a cushy, floaty wagon like your parents or grandparents drove, look elsewhere.
Equipped with its six-speed automatic transmission, the Jetta Wagon produces very low engine speeds on the highway, eliminating engine noise in the cabin, and contributing to improved fuel economy (10.6/7.0 L/100km, city/highway, automatic transmission).
2009 Volkswagen Jetta Wagon. Click image to enlarge
Tire noise was pronounced on some surfaces, however. Interior design is particularly attractive and an obvious step up from the more budget-oriented compact vehicles on the market. While not luxury, the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta Wagon is definitely premium, and it feels that way throughout.
Volkswagen expects to sell something over 3,000 Jetta Wagons a year in Canada. Competitors are few, if any. Similar vehicles are the Hyundai Elantra wagon and the Volvo V40, but neither of those is in the Jetta Wagon's market segment. Other alternatives are hatchbacks like the Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe.
Really, though, the Jetta Wagon is in a class of one. I'd take mine with stability control and side curtain airbags. They should all be so equipped.
