The S trim represents the entry-level Volkswagen Jetta for 2011. This model year sees a redesign for the compact sedan in an attempt to compete with rivals such as the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. The new Jetta has met with mixed reviews, earning praise for its lower price, modernized exterior and a longer body with more room, but also receiving criticism for its elimination of several details that consistently gave the car its premium feeling.
The exterior of the Jetta has been transformed with a minimalist, sleeker appearance (admired by some and condemned as bland by others). Other than some chrome details and foglights, the exterior of the base S trim is virtually indistinguishable from higher-end Jetta trims. However, while the SE, SEL and TDI accommodate greater customization (primarily through options packages), the base remains an entry-level car with little possibility for tweaking.
The S trim brings back an engine used in the Jettas of yore—a 2.0-liter, 8-valve SOHC inline four-cylinder with 115 hp at 5,200 rpm and 125 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. Using regular unleaded gasoline, the engine, paired with a standard five-speed manual transmission, produces fuel economy estimates of 24 mpg city/34 highway and a 0-60 time of 9.8 seconds, according to Volkswagen. An optional six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic and sport mode fares worse with fuel economy of 23/29 and a lethargic 0-60 time of 11 seconds.
Volkswagen has trimmed the Jetta’s pricetag considerably (the MSRP of the S is now $15,995) by taking the less expensive road in its materials. The S trim, for example, now has rear drum brakes (rather than all disc brakes), hydraulic—rather than electric—power steering, and a torsion beam rear suspension has replaced the more expensive front and rear independent suspension of previous generations. The interior has also taken a hit, with reviews quick to point out a distinct lack of the premium quality feel of previous interior materials, with harder, cheaper, and shinier plastics, less padding, and the elimination of details such as the carpeted parcel shelf (now hard plastic) and rear air conditioning vents.
Despite these changes, the base S trim still comes with a substantial list of standard features. Like all Jetta sedans, the S offers a standard 3-year or 36,000-mile “Carefree Maintenance Program,” which covers the cost of scheduled maintenance provided at an authorized dealer. Outside, the base provides 15-inch steel wheels and power heated side mirrors. Inside, the standard stereo is a 4-speaker system with MP3- and WMA-compatible in-dash CD player and AM/FM radio (alas, no options for sound system upgrades). Two 12-volt power outlets (one in the front and one in the rear) are standard, as are two remote-control key fobs for the power locks. The S trim also provides standard power windows, air conditioning with a pollen filter and a standard Immobilizer III theft deterrent system. A newly designed three-spoke steering wheel adjusts telescopically for driver comfort. The seats are cloth covered at this trim level, with 6-way manual adjustment for the front seats and a 60/40 split in the rear bench, adding to the class-leading 15.5 cubic feet of cargo room in the trunk. The 2011 redesign elongated the body of the Jetta by approximately 3 inches, primarily benefiting the rear seat space, and rear legroom now approaches that of the midsize autos.
Safety features in the S trim match those in the other Jetta trim levels, including Intelligent Crash Response (which unlocks the doors, shuts off the fuel supply and activates the hazard lights when the airbags are deployed). Six standard airbags, tire pressure monitoring, antilock brakes with hydraulic brake assist, electronic differential lock, and stability control round out the list of standard features in even the base trim.
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