Volkswagen got an early jump on the trend toward more environmentally friendly cars with the introduction in 1992 of the Volkswagen Jetta ECOdiesel, which was equipped with a turbocharged 59-horsepower, 1.6-liter diesel engine that delivered high mileage while giving off fewer pollutants.

It joined a lineup that included a 100-horsepower four-cylinder gas engine and a more powerful 134-horsepower gas engine, which were dropped into the Jetta GL/Carat and GLI trim packages, respectively. All versions came with a standard five-speed manual transmission. A three-speed automatic was optional for the Carat and the GL.

Standard features for the ECOdiesel, Carat and GL included bucket seats, power brakes, power steering, a tilt steering wheel, and a rear window defroster. The GLI added power door locks, Recaro seats, and alloy wheels, among other features.

Generally, drivers responded in a positive way to the Jetta, noting that it was a durable and reliable car that was easy to maintain and fun to drive. But many also pointed out that the Jetta could be a quirky car that was prone to expensive mechanical repairs.