-
Car News
Go to Home PageVisit Leftlane's home page for the very latest car news, analysis, editorials, opinion, and more. Updated several times per day.
Culture & Opinion
-
Step 1
Car Info & Pics
Car Information
Learn more about new cars with our extensive collection of overviews, specs, and pictures.
-
Step 2
Reviews
Car Test Drive Reviews and Videos
Our team of experts have driven hundreds of new car models from virtually every automaker, Get their unbiased impressions here.
-
Step 3
Build & Price
Build & Price a New Car
This tool enables you to Build & Price a new car. Optionally, you can then request a price quote from a local dealer based on your selections.
Leftlane's Configurator is currently in BETA and some models are missing.
-
Step 4
Buy A Car
-
- Select Distance
Zip Code and Search Radius are Required to Proceed.
Get a Local Dealer Price Quote
Find New Cars on Dealer Lots
Listings provided by new car dealers in the U.S. and Canada.
Find Used Cars in Your Area
-
Future Cars
Browse Upcoming Future Cars
Go to Future HomeBrowse the latest spy shots or videos of unreleased vehicles.
Tomorrow's Most Popular Cars
-
Tools
Compare Cars
Select make and model of the vehicles you would like to compare
Find a Dealer
Other tools for Shoppers & Owners
Leftlane offers a collection of helpful tools for car shoppers and owners, helping to make spending decisions easier.
Basic Specs
| Base Price | TBA |
| Drivetrain | Front Wheel Drive |
| Curb Weight (lbs) | 2804 |
| City (MPG) | 24 |
| Hwy (MPG) | 34 |
| Horsepower | 115@5200 |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 124@4000 |
| Wheelbase | 104.4 |
| Length (in.) | 182.2 |
| Width (in.) | 70.0 |
| Height (in.) | 57.2 |
In an effort to hone in on its core North American audience, Volkswagen has redesigned its highly successful Jetta sedan for the latest model year. This all-new Jetta has been tailored specifically for North America - and it boasts an expanded lineup that includes the turbocharged Jetta GLI as well as the roomy Jetta SportWagen.
Boasting a design clearly inspired by VW's New Concept Coupe that debuted in early 2010 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the Jetta's design is very clearly derivative of VW's other current offerings.
As a result, the Jetta's wheelbase is now 2.76 inches longer than the outgoing model, while its length increases by 3.54 inches, putting the overall length of the sedan up to 182.6 inches. As a result, the interior is the roomiest ever offered on a Jetta. The sedan is a mere inch or two shorter than the popular fifth-generation Passat, which was sold between 1996 and 2005.
A key benefit of the extended wheelbase is a more comfortable layout of the five-seat rear seating area. Legroom is now a class-leading 38.1 inches, a 2.7-inch gain from the previous model.
Four trim levels (S, SE, SEL, TDI) will continue to be offered, although the base price has been dropped to $15,995 for the entry-level S model.
The base Jetta boasts ESC, ABS and six airbags for safety, along with tire pressure monitoring, remote keyless entry, outdoor temperature display and daytime running lights. Inside passengers will enjoy a pollen filter, power locks, two cupholders, A/C, AM/FM radio with CD capability with an auxiliary input.
Upgrading to the SE trim will add a 2.5-liter engine, 16-inch wheels, V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces, body-colored side mirrors with integrated turn signals, a chrome interior package that accents the rotary light switch, bezels for air nozzles, HVAC controls, parking brake and steering wheel emblem.
The front center console includes a storage box and two cupholders, as well as a rear center armrest with two cupholders. Cruise control, a lockable and illuminated glove box, front reading lamps, illuminated vanity mirrors and floor mats round out the standard features for this trim level.
Available as options, one can add the Convenience package for an extra $1,350, which adds a leather multifunction steering wheel, leather gearshift grip and leather parking brake cover, along with upgraded 16-inch alloy wheels and two additional interior speakers.
Also added is Media Device Interface (MDI) with iPod connectivity, Sirius satellite radio, Bluetooth and heated seats and windshield nozzles. A sunroof can also be added for an extra $1,250.
Next in the trim line hierarchy is the SEL, starting at $21,395, and including everything listed in the SE plus Convenience package, in addition to fog lamps, chrome accents on the radiator grille, chrome trim around the windows, machine-polished 17-inch alloy wheels and rear disc brakes.
Also included is keyless access and push-button start, along with driver's seat lumbar adjustment, interior metal-look accept pieces and a trip computer.
SEL can also be had with the Sport Package, which brings the price to $22,995, and adds a sport-tuned suspension, sport-bolstered seats, aluminum pedals and restyled door sills.
The range-topping TDI starts at $22,995, includes everything found on the SE with Convenience plus sunroof, along with a trip computer, rear disc brakes and 16-inch wheels.
TDI with Nav tacks on an additional $1,200, and adds navigation, fog lamps, chrome exterior accents and keyless access with push-button start.
The latest Jetta also sees the return of Volkswagen's 115-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder powertrain as its base engine, while the previously standard 170 horsepower 2.5-liter five-cylinder will be on the options list. (The GLI trim level is listed as its own vehicle on LeftLaneNews).
The more performance-oriented Jettas come with the 2.0-liter turbocharged TSI four-cylinder, good for 200 horsepower, while the ever-popular 2.0-liter TDI diesel four-cylinder is available as its own trim level.
The TDI outputs 140 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque, and has been modified to meet the latest emissions standards in the U.S., but VW says it will average around 34 mpg in mixed driving and 42 mpg on the highway. Five-speed manual transmissions will be standard across the line (Except for the TDI, which receives a six-speed manual), while six-speed automatics will be optional. The TSI and TDI engines get VW's advanced six-speed DSG automatic.
The all-new Jetta includes several features designed to enhance driver and passenger safety including electronic stability control to help prevent drivers from losing control of their cars and tire pressure monitoring. The Intelligent Crash Response System (ICRS) is unique in its class. ICRS turns off the fuel pump, activates the hazard lights and unlocks the doors in the case of an airbag deployment.
Key Competitors
As Jetta was designed to take on the top-sellers in the compact sedan segment, its major rivals include the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. Sportier alternatives include the Mazda Mazda3 and the Mitsubishi Lancer.
Similar Cars
left-
2012 Hyundai Genesis
-
2012 Jaguar XJ
-
2012 Jaguar XF
-
2012 Volkswagen CC
-
2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan
-
2012 Volkswagen Passat Sedan
-
2012 Dodge Charger
-
2012 Audi A4
-
2012 Maybach 57
-
2012 Maybach 57S
-
2012 Maybach 62
-
2012 Maybach 62S
-
2012 Maybach 62S Landaulet
-
2012 Mazda Mazda3
-
2013 Cadillac ATS
-
2012 Rolls-Royce Ghost
-
2012 Rolls-Royce Phantom
-
2012 Chrysler 300
-
2012 Fisker Karma
-
2013 Cadillac XTS
-
2013 Dodge Dart
-
2013 Acura ILX
-
- General
- Body Style: Sedan
- Size: Compact
- Market Segment: Near-Luxury
- Weight: 2804 lbs
-
- Exterior
- Length: 182.2 in.
- Width: 70.0 in.
- Height: 57.2 in.
- Wheelbase: 104.4 in.
- Ground Clearance: 5.5 in.
- Front Track: 60.7 in.
- Rear Track: 60.6 in.
- Weight Distribution: TBD
- Drag Coefficient: 0.30
-
- Interior - General
- Seats: 5
- Passenger Volume: 94.1 cu. ft.
- Cargo Volume: 15.5 cu. ft.
- Cargo Volume (Seats Folded): TBD
-
- Interior - Front Row
- Volume: 50.3 cu. ft.
- Leg Room: 41.2 in.
- Head Room: 38.2 in.
- Shoulder Room: 55.2 in.
- Hip Room: TBD
-
- Interior - Second Row
- Volume: 43.8 cu. ft.
- Leg Room: 38.1 in.
- Head Room: 37.1 in.
- Shoulder Room: 53.6 in.
- Hip Room: TBD
-
- Propulsion
- Fuel Type: Gas
- Engine Type: 2.0L I4
- Power: 115 hp @ 5200 rpm
- Torque: 124 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
- Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
- Highway Fuel Economy: 34 mpg
- City Fuel Economy: 24 mpg
- Forced Induction: None
- Direct Injection: No
-
- Chassis
- Layout: Front Wheel Drive
- Front Suspension: Strut-Type
- Rear Suspension: Torsion-Beam
-
- Wheels
- Front: 15" Steel
- Front Tires: 195/65 R15 H
- Rear: 15" Steel
- Rear Tires: 195/65 R15 H
-
- Trailering & Hauling
- Trailer Weight: TBD
- Payload: N/A
- Tongue Weight: TBD
-
$0
Step 1 - Trim
-
$0
Step 2 - Options
-
Step 3 - Get a Local Quote
