I'm confused over 2011 Jetta reviews

[BarrieCommuter]

and for you skiers and snowboarders out there, it is SOOO much easier to pack your cargo from the trunk than any MKV, MKIV out there. there is no reason to look at a thule rack for convenience purposes solely.

 

[mo_focus]

My one big beef is hydraulic steering the TDIs might have electric? I really like the electric steering on my B6 Passat. Very nice and fluid and the automatic trim (correction for crosswinds or road crown) is fantastic, driving our hydraulic B5.5 is very tiring in comparison as it is stiff steering and always being fought against road crown or wind.

Yes the 2011 Jetta TDI has the electric steering still.

 

[UberVW_TDI]

I wish for the 2011 GLI with a TDI powertrain (Jetta GLD). Please VW! =)

 

[PlaneCrazy]

And while we're at it, a Golf GTD based on the GTI. One can dream, can't one?

 

[Ski in NC]

Saw my first live 2011 on the road yesterday in traffic. It looked different from previous vw's as far as design themes go, but in my eye it looked good. Form follows function thing, which is why my mk4 still appeals to me.

 

[Max Period]

I think the Golf or older body Jetta is a way better deal than the Audi but the New body Jetta gives a few more inches of rear legroom which is nice if you have kids.

I have driven several CDI Mercedes and Bluetecs, too, and they will flat out romp any 4 cylinder VW diesel when you get your foot in it. They have long travel accelerator pedals to make accelleration smoother or so says Mercedes. My new Golf has many more doodads and features that are hard to find on the Mercedes of that vintage though. The 320CDI/Bluetec seats weren't all that great and there is no armrest whatsoever over the center console. HID headlights are rare, too. The car was very easily pitched sideways when leaving parking lots if the ground is either very smooth or there is water on the pavement. I'm not even sure the car was quieter than my new Golf.

The Bluetecs (BMW 335d, Benz bluetec) use urea-SCR which requires periodic fillup of DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) - a.k.a. AdBlue. The 2.0 TDI (Jetta, Golf, Audi A3) does not require DEF.

 

[Dieselgeek]

Actually none of the US spec W211 chassis sedan Mercedes diesels require AdBlue. I dunno about the new W212 cars though.

 

[Max Period]

The W212 diesels requires DEF since it has urea-SCR. The W211 without adblue doesn't meet 2010 emission standards.

In 2010, the majority of on-highway diesel engines all use urea-SCR to meet EPA 2010 emissions.

The only 2010 diesel engines I know that does not have urea-SXR are the VW 2.0 TDI, Cummins 6.7L diesel (only for the Dodge Ram), and all Navistar Maxxforce engines.

 

[Morescratch]

It's absolute rubbish. Might as well buy a Honda or Toyota. I hope it fails miserably. Shame on VW for sullying the brand. I would have pulled out of the market before stooping this low. If I were VW I would sweep it under the rug and bring the car that competes head-to-head with civic and corolla everywhere else in the World: the Polo. What a joke.

 

[Dieselgeek]

The only thing about a Polo against a Corolla or Civic is the amount of space. Why did you buy a wagon instead of a sedan or hatchback Golf? Space.

I had a pretty hard time getting all of the 'necessary' Christmas goodies and luggage into my 10 Golf for a 600 mile round trip to Dallas. This was for two adults and a 4 year old. If I had the New Jetta it would have been a piece of cake.

 

[tcsjr]

Just bought a 2011 Jetta TDI in Port Charlotte, FL. I think what everyone (the critics) are saying is that the dashboard top is a hard, textured plastic of some sort. It is not the textured material that is somewhat soft to the touch. Personally, I don't mind one bit. It will be easier to clean, and it certainly is more durable especially over time, which is where I hope to be 200,000 miles from now.

 

[Morescratch]

Hi tcsjr, This must be your first VW? No offence but the new interiors are less than acceptable for most die-hard VW owners. Proof is in repeat sales - almost no one is able to sell the new Jetta to previous model owners. The Passat is equally hideous and is in my opinion an abomination to the brand and model. I think the new generation cars (note they are not VW's) are great for non-discerning buyers (again, no offence intended), those typically attracted to price and spec-sheet comparisons. My whole family (2.5 generations) have always driven VW's but not anymore. Sad indeed.

 

[mwayner69]

I don't know what everyone's problem is either. Yes, previous model owners are still buying the cars. There are 3 VW's in my driveway including a 2011 Jetta. Yes the cars are VW's. The easy way to tell is that they have VW emblems all over them. No my dash isn't made from Nerf material in the new car, but I try to touch the wheel when I'm driving, not the dash. My new Jetta drives just as well as my other 2 and as well as the others that I have driven and owned.

Congrats on the new Jetta tcsjr.

 

[IFRCFI]

The Passat is equally hideous and is in my opinion an abomination to the brand and model.

The Kia Optima, oops, sorry...VW Passat is a complete, style-less waste.

I would have gladly paid $40K for a TDI CC. In fact, I'm seriously considering ditching my '10 in favor of a new gasser CC with the 2.0T.

 

[Morescratch]

But... the materials are different... and they are "cheaper" right??? VW even admits this. While some people may not care I do as quality is in the details. How about the barbecue hinges for the trunk? Or the rear circa 1980's rear suspension? I could go on. Again, some people don't care and for those the new Jetta is a great car.

 

[Morescratch]

The new Optima is very nice. Much better quality fit and finish. Probably handles better too. Everyone is trying to be Volkswagen while Volkswagen is trying to be everyone else. What is the point of trying to differentiate yourself in the market place if you are going to do what everyone else is doing?

 

[TDI_Timmy]

Rear suspension on 2011 Jetta sedan handles just as good as the '10 - only place you might see a difference is off road.

As for trunk hinges - yeah they cut into the trunk space a little - I still got a BBQ (4 burner unassembled) in the trunk. The guys at Home Depot were impressed the trunk could hold so much.

My next will be a wagon - I will still have the sedan, but for whatever reason I have a soft spot for wagons.

 

[mwayner69]

Rear suspension on 2011 Jetta sedan handles just as good as the '10 - only place you might see a difference is off road.

Agreed. My Jetta drives and handles just as well as my other current and prior VW's.

 

[Morescratch]

See this post: http://forums.tdiclub.com/showpost.php?p=3362521&postcount=5

I think it depends on what type of driving you do. I drive a lot on dirt roads so this would be an issue for me as well.

Similarly, some people don't need the trunk space that was rendered unusable by the barbecue hinges.

 

[rtking]

See this post: http://forums.tdiclub.com/showpost.php?p=3362521&postcount=5

I think it depends on what type of driving you do. I drive a lot on dirt roads so this would be an issue for me as well.

Similarly, some people don't need the trunk space that was rendered unusable by the barbecue hinges.

I drive on some pretty rutted roads and concrete overcrossings. The twist beam rear suspension is a bit bouncy on the over-crossing, and the rutted roads cause the suspension to be a bit harsh. But other than those situations, I find the suspension pretty comfortable. I understand that a MkV Jetta multi-link suspension will bolt, but it doesn't bother me enough to search one out, refurbish it and the bearings, and install it.

As for the trunk space, I found that there's plenty of trunk room. I put 4 folding chairs, 2 moving blankets, a picnic basket, cooler, and assorted coats and jackets (in addition to the Redline diesel fuel catalyst and other car stuff I keep in there), and I still had room to spare. The trunk arms don't bother me too much, and (having come from an Altima Hybrid), the trunk is expansive.

 

[DieselNerd]

It comes down to picking nits. I'd have never noticed the dash material had it not been for people bellyaching on the net. Honestly, why does one need a "soft" dash again? Is it so it can split from the sun beating on it? And what of the carpeted trunk top? How many hours do you guys really spend relaxing in the freakin' trunk?

I'm a function over form guy. Unless someone can convince me a soft dash, carpeted trunk lid, or whiz bang MFD display makes the car perform better, then I'm fine with my Jetta. The rear independent suspension would be nice, but honestly, I don't feel the 2011 car handles badly. Seem to handle leaps and bounds better than my 2000 Ford Explorer did.

 

[Red Sox Nation]

I'm with you on this. I noticed VW did an outstanding job putting the soft materials just where they're need. The steering wheel, parking brake handle, shift knob, "arm rest" on the doors, "arm rest" in the center, seats, etc. ALL the areas I touch, on a daily basis, which make me more comfortable, driving my 2011 Jetta, are just right...

Of all the VW's I've owned in the past: 66 bug; 74 bug; 72 bug; 84 rabbit; 92 golf, this has to be the most comfortable, nicest handling one of them all. Yes, all the others were "classics", but why compare apples to oranges. Why? Because that's what this whole discussion has become. VW has a goal; to be the biggest car company in the world. If that means taking a step backwards, using less "soft" materials, but using the soft material they do use, in the best manner possible, they can make more of a profit, sell their vehicles for less, make them in reach to a whole new market and meet their end goal.

I love my 2011, 6 speed manual, Jetta TDI. If people don't like them, let them wait until VW decides to go back to their old ways, or move onto the "Mercury" of VW...Audi...

 

[Derrel H Green]

2011 SportsWagan vs Sedan

Rear suspension on 2011 Jetta sedan handles just as good as the '10 -
only place you might see a difference is off road. [Not True]

As for trunk hinges - yeah they cut into the trunk space a little - I still got a BBQ (4 burner unassembled) in the trunk. The guys at Home Depot were impressed the trunk could hold so much.

My next will be a wagon -
I will still have the sedan, but for whatever reason I have a soft spot for wagons.

Read the current CU and see what they say!

If you want quality in a 2011 VW, you must opt for the holdover Jetta Sportwagan,
as it is unchanged from the 2010 MY Jetta SportsWagon.

Must be why no dealers around my area have any in stock.

If you want a roomy back seat, you go for the sedan with all of it cost cutting shortcuts.

If you want quality, try to find a Wagon if you are able?
'Tis shameful what VW has done.



D

 

[TDI_Timmy]

What is CU? I will gladly read what they write.

I wrote about this months ago and compared (best I could) from multiple publications looking at slalom and skid pad results. They were pretty darn similar to the '10 Jetta sedan.

I love our sedan - I just miss the versatility of the Volvo V70 we had - why not get the JSW - only if the new Passat was coming here in wagon form.

Also, just curious - have you driven the 2011 Jetta TDI Sedan? And before your next question for me - yes, I have driven a MkV Jetta sedan pretty extensively. I have never felt once that the ride quality in the 2011 Jetta sedan has been diminished (roads around here suck!) - nor has it failed me in evasive maneuvers on the road.

 

[Nextwhat]

Hi tcsjr, This must be your first VW? No offence but the new interiors are less than acceptable for most die-hard VW owners. Proof is in repeat sales - almost no one is able to sell the new Jetta to previous model owners. The Passat is equally hideous and is in my opinion an abomination to the brand and model. I think the new generation cars (note they are not VW's) are great for non-discerning buyers (again, no offence intended), those typically attracted to price and spec-sheet comparisons. My whole family (2.5 generations) have always driven VW's but not anymore. Sad indeed.

Really? You have a cite to back up the statement "almost no one is able to sell the new Jetta to previous model owners"?

Facts are facts. The MkV Jetta, fine as it may have been, never found success in the market despite its soft touch dash or trunk struts.

 

[PlaneCrazy]

Really? You have a cite to back up the statement "almost no one is able to sell the new Jetta to previous model owners"?

Facts are facts. The MkV Jetta, fine as it may have been, never found success in the market despite its soft touch dash or trunk struts.

Depends on the market. The Mk V Jetta is one of the most popular cars in Quebec. The Mk VI on the other hand, doesn't seem to be suffering in sales in spite of the cost cutting, and I see a heck of a lot of them with the base 2.slow engine. Easy to tell, it's the only version that doesn't have an engine size badge in the back. Too embarrassing I guess

I can't speak for others but when I went TDI shopping last month it wasn't even on my radar. The interior really did look, well, cheap. And our roads are bad enough to make me avoid an oxcart rear suspension. It was a tossup between the Golf wagon and Golf 5-door and I ended up with the latter and am loving it!

 

[DieselNerd]

Facts are facts. The MkV Jetta, fine as it may have been, never found success in the market despite its soft touch dash or trunk struts.

This is true. Not because the Jetta wasn't a great car, but because it was overpriced against it's competition and has a reputation for very expensive repair costs.

I'm a VW fan to the core, but even I have a hard time reccomending just about ANY German make to the "average joe" driver. You have to be willing to put up with some quirks to drive and Audi, VW, or BMW. Mercedes I can't vouch for since I've never owned one.

 

[BarrieCommuter]

mercedes charges $269 for an oil change for the smartfortwo here in Barrie Ontario Canada. and something like $200 for wiper blades.

 

[DieselNerd]

Well, that answers the question about Mercedes.

 

[PlaneCrazy]

Well, that answers the question about Mercedes.

A colleague bought herself a B-class Mercedes. Nice enough little car, practical, a bit of a lady car if you ask me, but nice just the same. Oil change interval is 20,000 km, so she brought it in for the 20k service. She emerged outraged with a bill of over $500!!!

Mercedes (and BMW) are rip-offs.

I suspect Audi is the same. VW is bad enough but not that bad.

Another interesting story from my recent Golf purchase. My previous VW dealer in the past has tried to coax me into 8000 km oil changes when the manual says 15 or 16k (2011 is 15k, previously it was 16k). This guy said «we'd like to see it at 8000 km and do a first oil change and check that everythign is ok; after that it's once a year or every 15k whichever comes first». This is the same dealer that did not try to pressure me into buying all sorts of useless protection packages... very refreshing.

It's not the same dealer where I bought my past VWs; a new job change made me look for a place closer to the office. It's not one of these mega-dealers increasingly popular up here in QC, but a family-run business that is an Audi and VW dealer side-by-side.

Back on track, I'll have to try that Climatic trick to see if it really works.