Volkswagen Jetta 2007
By Benjamin Cyr
Likes:
- The power and torque of the 2.OT engine. The 200 horsepower are always ready and the response immediate, from 1500 r.p.m. right up to 6800 r.p.m. The older 1.8 held its own but the 2.0T provides more sophistication and ease of handling;
- Excellent acceleration times (00km/ in 6.5 secs.). Passing takes but a few seconds. The neophyte will hardly believe that this power comes from such a small engine. This DSG shares the same speed with the manual version;
- The Jetta cannot match the great GLI’s look although there’s been real progress, I find, compared to the 2006 model.
- The very comfortable sport seats offer great lateral support, a must for sport driving;
- More room in the back. Not yet at mid-size vehicle level but better than the previous Jetta generation;
- The trunk has the same roominess and a shape that allows one to store various suitcases or other items comfortably.
Dislikes:
- GLI price with DSG box and leather interior at $36, 455 which comes close to the Audi A3. Competition thrives in this price range (MazdeSpeed 6, for example);
- The heralded DSG box equals impressive performance but not driving pleasure. Changing speeds feels like playing a video game; the operation is sadly sensation less;
- Volkswagen vaunts the superior quality of its new products and swears that reliability problems have been overcome. Personally, I’ve got serious misgivings about assembly quality, among other things; our test car was creaking constantly at barely 100km/p.h. courtesy of the driver’s seat. Unacceptable!
- Road handling stays the course but lacks the uniqueness of older GLIs. The suspension is a little soft but the choice of tires, on the other hand, totally wrong.
- Overall, it’s some car. The performance, the technology and the look all showed up. But the hefty price makes it exclusive. When compared to our evaluation of the GLI 2004, we see progress in motorization, acceleration and interior room. I still, though, prefer the look and handling of the 2004. Alas, you can never satisfy everyone.
Supplemental: I found the GLI less impressive than did my colleague. Granted, the DSG works like a charm but handling and price are, in my opinion, impediments to future sales. While it’s true that the tires don’t help, I still consider the handling to be “armchair sporty”. Pity the impressive engine and DSG box.
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