2008 Volkswagen Jetta [A Quick Review]

In its current body form, the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta is in its third year on the market.

The Jetta offers a sportier alternative to the compact sedans from Honda, Toyota, GM, and Ford, with a range of five-cylinder and turbocharged four-cylinder engines, a sport version, and wagon and diesel variants on the way for late 2008.

However, with its restyle in 2006, the Volkswagen Jetta received a form that some critics believe is too close to its Japanese rivals.

People think the new City Jetta looks too much like a huge Toyota Corolla.

The interior, on the other hand, is pure Volkswagen, with a sophisticated appearance and feel, smooth-operating switches, and well-damped grab grips.

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Is the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta a decent vehicle?

The 2008 Volkswagen Jetta SE is one of the more refined players in its class, with a clean interior and a smooth ride.

It’s the sole option to consider if you’re looking for a small sedan that delivers European elegance.

It also comes from a very reasonable price.

Overview of the Vehicle

“Upscale economic car” may sound like a contradiction, but Volkswagen Group has been doing it off for years.

The proof is in the company’s well-liked Jetta, a little sedan with a lot of polish and a starting price under $20,000.

The 2008 Volkswagen Jetta approaches shoppers with unassuming stealth and shocks them by providing more than they’d anticipate from a car in this market.

The sedan’s beautiful inside is kitted out with rich materials and superb fit and finish installation, and styling elements reflect understated European elegance.

The VW Jetta’s road characteristics are pleasingly tight, and it comes with a slew of standard safety systems.

The Jetta’s Achilles’ heel in previous incarnations was its lack of reliability; this issue was substantially solved with the 2005 redesign and is test drive again.

Unfortunately, the redesign also altered the previous-generation Jetta’s angular, character-filled appearance, leaving this model with a bland exterior at odds with Volkswagen’s plainly youthful image for the sedan.

Another flaw is the lack of efficiency in terms of fuel consumption.

The car’s average mileage will certainly disappoint consumers who are looking to save money.

The 2008 Volkswagen Jetta has a lot of charm, but there are a few more economical vehicles worth considering.

The Mazda 3 offers a more interesting driving experience, while the Honda Civic’s large selection of engines provides better fuel economy options.

When it comes to sheer finesse, though, none of the competitors in this area can match the Jetta.

If this is important to you, the Volkswagen Jetta should be at the top of your list.

Models of Volkswagen Jetta from 2008

The S, SE, and SEL trim levels are available for the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta. 16-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, cruise control, full power accessories, heated side mirrors, a 60/40-split rear seat, keyless entry, and an eight-speaker CD/MP3 audio with an auxiliary input jack are all standard on the base S.

The SE adds 16-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, a 10-speaker audio with a six-disc CD changer, satellite radio, heated front seats, a fold-flat front passenger seat, a center armrest and pass-through for the folding rear seat, leatherette upholstery, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter.

The Volkswagen Golf Edition has been updated to have a more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, 17-inch alloy wheels, and distinctive badging.

The SEL adds 17-inch alloy wheels, a multifunction trip computer, a premium sound system, and auxiliary audio controls on the steering wheel.

Highlights from 2008

A few improvements have been made to the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta.

The sedan’s power has been increased, owing to a redesigned 2.5-liter base engine that produces 170 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. S, SE, and SEL are the new names for the trim levels.

The 2.0T engine is only available on the Volkswagen GLI and the newly updated limited-edition Wolfsburg Edition variant.

To make the GLI more like the GTI, Volkswagen has deleted the “Jetta” designation; the GLI is reviewed separately.

MPG and performance

The 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder engine in the S, SE, and SEL variants produces 170 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque.

A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque powers the Wolfsburg Edition.

The Wolfsburg Edition comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission, while the S and SE Jettas come with a five-speed manual transmission.

Only the Wolfsburg Edition comes with VW’s fast six-speed DSG sequential-shift transmission, which can be switched manually or in automatic mode during remote operation.

Only the six-speed automatic transmission is available on SEL Jettas.

Front-wheel drive is standard on all Jetta Sel.

Jetta Gli’s sold in California emissions states have lower tailpipe emissions and a PZEV rating of zero in aftermarket.

This specific vehicle, regardless of model, fuel efficiency is below average for a compact car.

It also has tire pressure monitoring system.

With the 2.5-liter engine, revised EPA ratings for both manual and automatic variants are 21 mpg city/29 mpg highway.

When mated with the manual transmission, the 2.0-liter engine of the Wolfsburg Edition earns the same statistics, while DSG-equipped Wolfsburgs achieve a little better 22 mpg in the city.

Safety

All models come equipped with four-wheel antilock disc brakes, front seat-mounted side airbags, and full-length head curtain airbag for safety features.

The Jetta S has stability control as an option, whereas the other two variants have it as standard.

Optional seat-mounted side airbags are available for rear passengers.

The 2008 Volkswagen Jetta got four out of five stars for front-seat occupant protection in head-on accidents and five stars for front- and rear-seat occupant protection in side impacts in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash tests. In frontal-offset and side-impact crash testing, the Jetta receives a highest score of “Good” from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Driving

The 2008 Volkswagen Jetta manages to give both a comfortable ride and dynamic handling on the road.

The sedan has a rock-solid feel and a quiet ride, just like its more expensive German equivalents tires.

There’s enough power on tap to handle most circumstances, and the Jetta’s updated basic engine is a pleasant addition, giving the car a little more oomph than last year’s model.

The turbocharged on volkswagen ag or the equally powered Volkswagen GLI, on the other hand, are the best options for maximum acceleration.

Interior

The Volkswagen Jetta’s cabin is well-built and filled with high-quality materials.

Even the entry-level model has a high-end feel about it, with plush upholstery and exquisite detailing.

The front seats have a feeling of spaciousness and is arm type because to the tall roof line.

In the back, headroom is a tad tight, but there’s enough of legroom for grownups.

The trunk capacity is a whopping 16 cubic feet good enough for the vehicle owner things.

Pro’s:

• Quality of the interior room
• GLI version has a sharp handling.
• Transmission with two clutches
• The diesel version will be available soon in the north america or in the united states.

Con’s:

• Japanese design
• Acceleration from a five-cylinder engine is drab.
• Features that have been left out have not been introduced.

Purchasing Advice

The Volkswagen Jetta family grows in 2009, with a Sportwagen variant, new cars and a diesel engine option added to the 2008 model.

The diesel is expected to deliver up to 50 miles per gallon on the highway, according to VW.

The GLI sedans and diesel Jetta Sportwagens are the top of the German crop.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)