The brand new 2005 Volkswagen Jetta is a solid little compact sedan, thoroughly capable but completely uninvolving to drive. There’s not a hint of the sprightly character that encouraged you to take the long way home just so you could enjoy it a little longer.
The car is roomier, more powerful and better equipped, but it has lost the hard-to-define characteristics that made the old Jetta stand out from the pack.
Prices for the new Jetta start at $17,900 for a Value Edition model with a 150-horsepower, 2.5-liter, five-cylinder gas engine and a five-speed manual transmission. The top model, equipped with a 100-horsepower turbocharged 1.9-liter four-cylinder diesel and a six-speed automatic transmission, has a base price of $22,460.
The extremely well-equipped model I tested had the gasoline engine, automatic transmission and many options and carried a sticker price of $26,125. All prices exclude destination charges.
The Jetta is VW’s best-selling car in the United States and the new model must succeed for the company to return to growth and profitability here.
The car is seven inches longer than the old model and rides on a wheelbase that’s 2.6 inches longer. Width and height have increased one inch and 0.44 inches, respectively.
Interior room has also grown, particularly the trunk, which goes from being undersize to a 16- cubic- foot maw. That’s larger than the trunk of the Chrysler 300, a large car that’s nearly a foot-and-a-half longer than the Jetta.
I found the front seat to be roomy and comfortable with good, supportive seats. Back seat room was only adequate. The rear seat is as flat as a park bench, which is useful for the rare occasions the Jetta has three passengers there, but I’d prefer a little sculpting for the comfort of its more likely complement of one or two people.
VW’s excellent six-speed transmission provides very good acceleration. The transmission’s shifts are quick and precise, although it was less responsive in manual mode than I’d like in a car with sporting aspirations.
In addition, I thought the engine was too noisy and prone to noticeable vibration under heavy acceleration.
Sportier engine and transmission options are in the pipeline and might make the Jetta more eager about its work.
All the major mechanical systems have the same feeling of detached competence. The brakes are excellent, the speed-variable electric power steering is progressive and predictable, and the new independent suspension absorbs bumps well.
The car has the unmistakable solidity that’s been one of VW’s chief virtues for years. The doors shut with a satisfying thunk, and the car is absolutely stable at high speeds on the highway.
It’s less eager in curves and twisty maneuvers, when the car’s 3,285-pound curb weight and nose-heavy layout make themselves felt.
While it’s well short of a thrilling ride, the Jetta compensates with a long list of standard safety features that include curtain air bags, front-seat side air bags, standard antilock brakes, adaptive headrests and pedals that move to reduce injuries in a crash.
There’s a lot to admire about the new Jetta, in much the same way I admire the impeccably trained dogs I sometimes see in the park.
I admire them, but I love my dogs. For all their faults, they have that Murray-ness, and I’ll take that over studied perfection any day.
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2005 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5
Front-wheel-drive, five-seat compact sedan
Rating: Three stars (out of four stars)
Reasons to buy: Solidity , interior materials , six-speed automatic transmission
Shortcomings: Engine noise , price , anonymous styling and character.
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SPECS
2005 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5
Vehicle type: Front-wheel-drive, five-seat compact sedan
Base price: $20,390 (excluding destination charges)
As tested: $26,125
Standard equipment: ABS; traction control; electronic stability control; front, curtain and front-seat air bags; dual-zone climate control; AM/FM stereo with six-disc, in-dash CD changer; dual exhausts; electro-mechanical power steering; cruise control; tilt/telescope steering column; power windows, side view mirrors; split folding rear seat; center console with adjustable armrest; independent suspension; heated front seats; twilight-sensing headlights; rain-sensing wipers; rear seat with armrest and pass-through; trip computer.
Options: Automatic transmission; sunroof; 16-inch alloy wheels; premium sound system; leather seats; multifunction steering wheel; wood trim; power driver seat with memory; power passenger seat; manual rear sunshade; satellite radio; Homelink remote control for garage door, etc.
Specifications as tested
Engine: 2.5-liter 20-valve DOHC I-5
Power: 150-horsepower at 5,000 revolutions per minute, 170 pound-feet of torque at 3,750 r.p.m.
Transmission : Six-speed automatic
Fuel economy: 22 miles per gallon city/30 m.p.g. highway
Wheelbase: 101.5 inches
Length: 179.3 inches
Width: 69.3 inches
Height : 57.5 inches
Curb weight: 3,285 pounds
Where assembled: Puebla, Mexico
Comparative base prices (not including shipping charges)
(Automatic transmission models)
Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sport : $30,640
Saab 9-3 Linear : $28,200
Subaru Impreza WRX : $25,895
Volvo S40 2.4i : $24,760
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(c) 2005, Detroit Free Press.
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Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.
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PHOTOS (from KRT Photo Service, 202-383-6099): AUTO-JETTA
AP-NY-05-06-05 0619EDT
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