Description

What Edmunds SaysThough not possessing as much European character as one might hope, the 2007 Volkswagen Jetta is nonetheless an impressive small sedan that delivers in the key areas of comfort, performance and equipment.ProsPowerful turbo engine, comfortable ride, Jetta GLI's tight handling, rich interior materials, many safety features, solid build quality.Powertrains and PerformanceBase, 2.5 and Wolfsburg Edition models come with a 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine capable of 150 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. The 2.0T and GLI feature a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual is standard on the base and 2.5 trims, while the 2.0T and GLI feature a six-speed manual. A traditional six-speed automatic is available on the 2.5. For the 2.0T and GLI, VW offers its slick six-speed DSG sequential-shift transmission that can be shifted manually or placed in an auto mode. All Jettas are front-wheel-drive.For the turbocharged cars, expect a 0-60-mph time of about 8 seconds flat.SafetyFour-wheel antilock disc brakes, seat-mounted side airbags for front occupants, full-length head curtain airbags and a tire-pressure monitor are standard across the line. Stability control is either standard or optional, depending on the model. Seat-mounted side airbags for rear passengers are optional. In NHTSA crash tests, the 2007 Volkswagen Jetta received four out of five stars for protection of front-seat occupants in head-on collisions and five stars for front- and rear-occupant protection in side impacts. The IIHS gave the VW Jetta its "Top Safety Pick" silver award after the sedan earned top ratings in the agency's frontal-offset and side-impact crash tests.Interior Design and Special FeaturesThe Volkswagen Jetta's cabin is filled with high-quality materials and assembled with care. Even the base model has an upscale flair with comfortable seating and tasteful trim. A tall roof line gives the front seats a spacious feel. Headroom is a little tight in the rear, but there's ample legroom for adults. Trunk capacity measures an impressive 16 cubic feet.Driving ImpressionsOn the road, the Jetta manages to provide both comfortable ride quality and agile handling. Though not as edgy as the previous model, the current VW Jetta has a rock-solid feel with a surprisingly quiet ride. Acceleration is acceptable with all of the engines, but our favorite is the smooth and potent turbo four. This engine is most enjoyable in the Jetta GLI model, which has a taut suspension to back it up.