For 2002, Volkswagen greatly expanded it lineup of Jetta wagons, which had been introduced a year earlier. The Jetta wagon was now available with a turbocharged 1.8T four-cylinder engine, which generated 180 horsepower (up 30 hp from the previous year), as well as a 90-horsepower, 1.9-liter four-cylinder diesel with the TDI (turbo direct injection) feature.

Jetta wagons were also available with the base 115-horsepower, 2.0-liter four cylinder engine and a 174-horsepower V6. Later in the model year, horsepower for the V6 was upped to 200.

On the sedan side, the high-end Jetta GLX V6 was equipped with a new five-speed automatic transmission with the Tiptronic feature, which enabled drivers to shift manually depending on driving conditions. A five-speed manual transmission was standard for the other Jetta sedans and wagons, while a four-speed automatic was available as an option.

For the sedans as well as the wagons, standard features included air conditioning, power door locks, power steering, dual airbags, anti-lock brakes, and an anti-theft alarm system. Higher-end models added such features as traction control, power windows, and a CD player. The GLX wagons and sedans added wood trim, heated front seats, leather seats, and a sunroof.

Finally, in an effort to meet head-on lingering complaints about the build quality of its Jetta models, Volkswagen effectively doubled the length of its bumper-to-bumper warranty, from two years/24,000 miles to four years/50,000 miles.

Drivers appreciated the Jetta's handling, safety features, power, and sportiness. However, some drivers noted that the car still had quality-control issues requiring expensive repairs. The transmission and electrical system were noted by some drivers as being particularly troublesome. Perhaps that extended warranty wasn't such a bad idea after all