2011 Volkswagen Jetta Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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Written by CarGurus Editorial Team

Published May 31, 2022

$14,995 to $24,195

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Overview

The redesigned 2011 Volkswagen Jetta is just around the corner. Weeks away from VW showrooms, the sixth-generation model makes a...

The redesigned 2011 Volkswagen Jetta is just around the corner. Weeks away from VW showrooms, the sixth-generation model makes a considerable break from the previous year’s offering, flaunting more mature exterior styling along with several updates in on-board electronics.

Jetta’s current iteration has lingered since 2005, but this wasn’t the only reason for the 2011 overhaul. VW’s hatchbacks, like the Golf, may be hugely popular in Europe. However, on this side of the Atlantic, the Jetta is by far the best selling Volkswagen, having grown to represent more than 40 percent of all VWs sold in the United States. The Jetta also faces increased competition from Japanese automakers that have come to dominate America’s small-car market.

With that in mind, Volkswagen has finally blessed the new, slightly larger Jetta with the kind of sex appeal the model has longed for since 1979. Cute lines and nonthreatening curves have been replaced with a sweeping, low-drag stance, featuring a narrow front grille and angular, razor-like headlight bays. The Jetta loses some of this attitude inside the cabin, where a simplified dash layout, borrowed from the European VW Polo, greets the driver, while clunky, low-quality plastics surround all occupants.

The Jetta is not stingy on tech, though, offering a functional touch-screen head unit with an improved navigation system and a decent sound box with auxiliary input, Bluetooth phone integration, and SD card support – all standard in the upper SEL trim.

While by no means impotent, the 2011 Jetta does not back up its external bravado with adequate road action. The Jetta SEL leads the class with 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. However, most 2011 Jetta drivers will find that the car generally doesn’t live up to these figures in real world driving.

That’s because under the hood of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta SEL lies a straight carryover from the last year’s model – a 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine mated to the same five-speed manual gearbox. Owners of the Jetta from years past know that this inline-five is road-tested, but also recognize that an extra gear ratio would probably get more out of this oddball engine. Its EPA fuel economy stats are also subpar for the class, yielding only 23/33 mpg. The available automatic transmission will likely post even more disappointing numbers.

The base Jetta is dragged by an even less potent 2.0-liter, 115-hp four-cylinder engine. And while this promises to be the most affordable Jetta yet, most compact sedan buyers will regard it as substandard for lack of power and class-worthy refinements.

Performance- and economy-minded compact buyers eyeing the Jetta might therefore be best served by waiting for the soon-to-follow GLI and diesel variants. Roughly a year away, the GLI will return the Jetta to its German roots with a sporty six-speed dual-clutch transmission, fully independent suspension, and a 2.0-liter, 200-hp Volkswagen GTI transplant under the hood. The concurrent diesel-sipping TDI release will be less powerful, but place combined mileage figures in the upper 30s.

For 2011, Volkswagen has positioned the Jetta as a reasonably priced performance alternative to the less-exciting Japanese compacts. For what it’s worth, the new Jetta costs less than its predecessor and packs more ponies than the competition. Still, the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta’s true measure of success will be determined by what’s waiting in the wings – the GLI and TDI models due out in the later part of the year.

What owners say

AI Summary · 16 reviews

"Overall, owners of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta appreciate its smooth ride, fuel economy, and spacious interior. Many drivers highlight the sporty driving experience, excellent handling, and quality build. However, some mention that comfort, particularly in the front seats, could be improved. Overall, it seems to be a good value for money."

4.3

16 reviews

Write a review

by Anonymous

This car had a great sleek, sport appearance and is great fun to drive. The acceleration is good because it's a manual transmission and you can control the shifting (unlike the automatic, which I thought had a great deal of hesitation). The Sport package has a sport suspension which allows for good manueverability without thinking you are going to dump it on it's side if you need to make a quick move. I have always felt 100% safe in this car - airbags everywhere, braking is good, and excellent handling. We live off a windy road in the Black Hills of South Dakota, and it's great for the terrain and weather here.

September 7, 2012

by Andy B

Performance- The VW Jetta is great in this department, on the automatic version it has drive, as well as a Sport setting which allows you to accelerate much faster by reeving up to the red line. It can accelerate from 0-60 pretty rapidly. The Volkswagen also keeps with the European sport tradition of having EXCELLENT handling. The car goes exactly where you want it to go and parallel parking it is extremely easy. Build Quality- Ever since ive had the VW (close to 7 months) it has needed absolutely no repairs what so ever. It drives like a dream. Before this car I had a 2001 Jetta, and to this day its only needed standard maintenance. Im expecting that the new Jetta will hold up the same. Appearance- The outside of the new Jetta looks amazing. The older Jettas, up untill this one, all looked friendly and playful. The new Jetta looks mean and ready for action. The interior is simply fantastic. It has a BMW/Merc quality interior. Something youd expect from a 1 series or an E class. Its very stilish, very simple, and very functional. All of the buttons click into place nicely and there are no loose ends. The heated seats work in a matter or 2 min and the air conditioner/ heater works amazingly well, warming or cooling the car completely in about 5 min or less. The touch screen radio/sat nav works very well, and has no glitches what so ever. The sunroof is a VERY nice touch ;) Cost of Ownership- like I said before, the only things you really have to do is replace the windshield wiper fluid and gas. The car just needs standard maintnence. It is VERY cheep to own and the gas milage is somewhere around 36mpg I believe. Fun Factor- The car is an absolute joy to drive. Compaired to my friends cars this thing is the fastest, and most well handling car out of them. Its a pure joy to drive a car in sports mode, knowing you can turn where you want and nothing is going to go wrong. When it accelerates from 0 you get a sort of butterfly effect in your stomach as the tires spin on the pavement and cause smoke. Best car Ive ever had.

August 21, 2011

by COLLIN M

Very good quality, good gas mileage, dependable, drives & handles very well, nice interior room.

February 3, 2024