CD Article: 2006 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0T

[CD_Editor]

You may discuss our cover story of the day in this thread....
Test Drive:

Following the 2.5-litre inline five cylinder and 1.9 litre four cylinder turbocharged diesel engines, the redesigned 2006 Volkswagen Jetta is now available with a new 2.0-litre turbocharged four cylinder powerplant. It's hooked to a new Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG), which Assistant Editor Jil McIntosh praises for its instant shifts and seamless operation.    More...

[Shnak]

Good article. Sounds like the 2.0T / DSG combo is a lot of fun!

For some reason, I like the rear of the new Jetta in this picture shown in the article...


In that picture, it really does not look like a Corolla... I really can't pinpoint why exactly, but in this picture, the new Jetta's rear looks more VW than it has ever looked to me before.

Maybe I'm starting to like the new Jetta's styling?

A new Jetta Wagon 2.0T DSG when they come out would be a fun car to own I think... I can't wait to see pictures of the new Jetta Wagon, which won't be until next year I'm afraid...

[a4_tom]

Now this is a "real" CSX competitor.

[Shnak]

Now this is a "real" CSX competitor.

I'd say it's more of a TSX competitor than a CSX competitor. Only thing that would prevent me from getting the Jetta 2.0T over the TSX is the styling of the new Jetta that I didn't really, but it is starting to grow on me. I mean, the new Jetta might look like a Corolla from certain angles, but the TSX looks a LOT like the previous generation Civic/EL. There's no denying the build quality and overall qualities of the new Jetta though... you might mistake it for a Corolla from far, but as soon as you get closer to one, you quickly realize that it's far from being a Corolla!

[Gardiner Westbound]

Quality, VW's Achilles Heel, is not addressed. A car that requires extraordinary shop time is not very satisfying, and is a nightmare after the warranty expires. The reviewer should have discussed what VW has done to improve reliability and durability in this new design.

[AVToller]

  I agree, but reviewers rarely comment on that aspect of vehicles they review. The main exception I have seen to this rule is Hyundai. For the last 15 years, most reviews seem to insist on saying that they are much better than they were X years ago. 

[a4_tom]

VW has changed suppliers in recent years, in order to avoid the fiasco like the coil pack one 2 years ago. All the electronic suppliers are the ones that Toyota is using, for their North American made vehicles. As for material quality like dash materials, there is nothing else that can beat VW for its price range.

I view A3 2.0T as more of a TSX competitor than Jetta 2.0T, GLI is closer in this respect.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I think the 2.0T is more a TSX competitor than the GLI, if for looks and luxury content alone. It's more luxury oriented than stand-out sport, although I'm sure both would be considered, and they're priced similarly (2.0T and GLI) in the US.

Some things jumped out at me:
- The VWoA press photos are ALWAYS horrendous. Our 2.0T's usually wear different alloys and there's no fog lights. I've always liked the new Jetta from straight-on and dead rear - the lines from the roof and windows look very tight, compact, and it looks better with the lights lit front and back.
- That trunk is HUGE - 18.6 cu feet!!! Not sure where this dimension came from, as I thought it was around 16.5... still pretty well largest next to Camry at that.
- The standard wheels are 16"ers, not 15"ers. And as soon as you move up one package ($2,350) you get the sunroof, sport suspension, and 17" alloys.
- Fuel economy is lower than I anticipated. The 5-spd manual is 29/42 I believe, vs the 27/36 for the 6-spd DSG. Odd. For most VWs, the manuals and autos tend to have identical fuel economy now.

I think of DSG as a MANUAL transmission, with an automated function. It's too bad VWoA simply calls it "Tiptronic", as it as least deserves "DSG Tiptronic".

I REALLY like this car. Jetta 2.0T with cloth, Luxury Pkg, SABs, and darkened HIDs - $31,050 ($32,275 with leather and rear arm rest). DSG $32,150. It slips in nicely just under the TSX, and I love you can get cloth seats. To option similar to a TSX (trip computer, compass, multi-function steering wheel, in-dash 6-discer, rear sunshade, leather - but no wood trim or Climatronic) you have to ante up to $34,030 ($35,130 DSG). If the full load were $2,000 cheaper it'd be nice - as it stands they simply don't import many in that configuration as the additional equipment over the leather package is hard to justify at that price. Still, it's one heckava great package.

A TSX manual starts at $34,9, and the auto at $36,1. NAVI starts at $38,2 and I think the Jetta's DVD NAVI option (available in a few months) is $2,700, which distances the two a bit (by an additional $600). Freight/PDI is a rather hefty $1,430, vs freight of $615 (not aware of PDI charge) on the VW. Might be some $300-400+ difference there too.

http://www.carpages.ca/go/roadtest/2006_volkswagen_jetta_20t_road_test.aspx Must be the same press car as Jill's! 

[a4_tom]

DSG should be sequential instead of any Tiptronic type of trannies.

[JSCC]

I don't know where Freight/PDI 1430 came from.
We charge 615 + 510 = 1125 for Freight + PDI.

Navi on the Jetta? I thought that option was dropped.
At least my latest price sheet doesn't show it as an option.

[JSCC]

I would like to get the multi function steering wheel but don't need the 12-way power driver seat with 3 memory settings, 6CD changer and save a $1000.
1 item that I think the Jetta is missing is the auto dimming mirror.

[JSCC]

Other strange things about VW/Audi are:

1. Why the Jetta gets DSG but not the Passat/A4/A6?
2. Why the Passat gets a 3.6L V6 first but not the A4/A6?

[Shnak]

I would like to get the multi function steering wheel but don't need the 12-way power driver seat with 3 memory settings, 6CD changer and save a $1000.
1 item that I think the Jetta is missing is the auto dimming mirror.

Bah just tint your windows like I did on my Jetta, no need for auto dimming mirrors then! 

[johngenx]

Other strange things about VW/Audi are:

1. Why the Jetta gets DSG but not the Passat/A4/A6?
2. Why the Passat gets a 3.6L V6 first but not the A4/A6?

It's because Audi has become the "entry level" brand and VW the "premium" end.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I don't know where Freight/PDI 1430 came from.
We charge 615 + 510 = 1125 for Freight + PDI.

Navi on the Jetta? I thought that option was dropped.
At least my latest price sheet doesn't show it as an option.

I noted the TSX's freight and PDI were $1,430, the Jetta's frieght was $615 and PDI I wasn't aware of, but was sure that it would total less than the TSX's, resulting in a further $300 or so disparity in price there.

As for the NAVI, I haven't seen that brought up in a long time either. You are probably right in that it was dropped. Too bad; not that I wanted it, but it's yet another premium feature available elsewhere that Canada don't even get as an option to justify these cars as being worth their money in the marketplace.

[bmorton]

My 2000 Jetta GLS VR6 was $28,600 MSRP in Nov. 1999, with luxury pkg. & leather. Six years later a comparable 2.0T with "luxury leather pkg." is $31,275. I think the car is priced more reasonably now in the market than it was back then, but I've seen very few new Jettas on the road so far.

[Snowman]

My 2000 Jetta GLS VR6 was $28,600 MSRP in Nov. 1999, with luxury pkg. & leather. Six years later a comparable 2.0T with "luxury leather pkg." is $31,275. I think the car is priced more reasonably now in the market than it was back then, but I've seen very few new Jettas on the road so far.

Lots of new Jettas on the road here in Sudbury.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I don't see many myself, yet know that sales numbers are pretty strong. Odd sometimes how that is.

Could Montreal or Vancouver - or Sudbury - sales be sky-high or something?

The car has grown on me so much. With the right wheels and a bit lower suspension, would really be that much more appealing and compact-luxury looking.

[Snowman]

Make a 4Motion in a wagon for $35k and Wiffy would be driving one in March.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Make a 4Motion in a wagon for $35k and Wiffy would be driving one in March.

But you wouldn't consider the current Passat Wagon 1.8T with 4MOTION for $35Gs?
Wary of the older design, tired of it, or just like the size of the Jetta?