2006 Volkswagen Jetta Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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$18,530 to $24,220

Original MSRP

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expert review

4.5

avg user rating

(40 reviews)
2006 Volkswagen Jetta Preview summaryImage

After redesigning the Jetta a year earlier, Volkswagen introduced two new models of its popular family sedan for 2006. The high-end Jetta 20T featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that pumped out 200 horsepower. It was linked to a six-speed manual transmission, which was standard. Other standard features included air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, a sunroof, a CD player, anti-lock brakes, cruise control, traction control, and stability control.

Also new was a high-end Jetta GLI, which came with the same engine and transmission as the 20T, but added a sport package that included high-intensity xenon headlights, sport bucket seats, a tighter suspension, and larger 17-inch wheels.

The base engine for the 2006 Jetta was a 150-horsepower, 2.5-liter five-cylinder powerplant, which was linked to a standard five-speed manual transmission. A six-speed automatic was optional. The base engine powered the Jetta 2.5L trim package, as well as a Value Edition Jetta, which came with a basic list of standard features that included air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, dual airbags, anti-lock brakes, and traction control.

While drivers found the Jetta's new stying to be a bit bland, when compared to earlier models, most had nothing but kind words for the 2006 models. Features and amenities were considered to be generous, and many drivers were impressed with the car's performance, particularly the turbocharged models with the six-speed manual transmissions. On the negative side, some drivers pointed out that gas mileage could be better.

CarGurus Editorial Team
Published Aug 8, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
While we highlight specific author bylines where possible, sometimes our content results from the combined efforts of several members of the CarGurus editorial team. As with all our editorial content, you can expect high levels of automotive insight and expertise delivered in a style that is approachable and free from jargon.

User reviews for 2006 Volkswagen Jetta

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User rating:
by Sami A
Apr 02, 2024
High maintenance vehicle. Somewhat unreliable. First model for the new generation experienced problems with automatic transmission and electronics. Look to buy model years 2008-10 for this generation. However, performance is unmistakably best in class. Ride is comfortable and vehicle is well equipped.Apr 02, 2024
by Art W
Nov 29, 2023
I sought after the 2006 jetta for fuel economy, knowing it has a tremendous amount of other poor quality issues. If you are looking for a MK5 VW be it gas or diesel be prepared for a laundry list of repairs to maintain factory functions and beauty. The MK5 platform is susceptible to horiffic rust in the front fenders, rocker panels, rear wheel arches, trunk and hood. The head liner and door fabric glue fails on all of them regardless of mileage. There are door lock issues caused by a module in the individual door window motors. Dash screens can become inop, and there are a myriad amount of squeaks to chase down. The heater control and related resistor for HVAC motor speed will fail. If you get a model with factory HID headlights, the two sensors that set the leveling of the lights will fail. If you get and automatic trans (known as DSG) repair of it can cost as much as the entire car purchase. Even though the body looks the same on early production MK5 Jetta, the later production has some key feature that are totally different, it is mainly early models do not have steering wheel control, nor the fuel calculator function in the dash board. The up side to the Mk5 Jetta TDI is that when the engine is properly maintained it can run well past 300,000 miles. Some people have documented 400 and 500 thousand miles. When properly maintained the MK5 Jetta is a joy to drive, handling and brakng are impressive, acceleration will vary depending on the engine in the car but even the TDI, which is the lowest horsepower of the available engines, has no issues keeping up with traffic. If you buy a VW MK5 platform car, make sure you have a VW technician WITH VCDS software. Additionally the knowledge of the special components that fail to be able to keep it in tip top shape. I am trying to make this review as objective as I can with no success, I own 2 Jettas, and one GTI, all three are 2006 models with one of the Jetta being and early model. I sincerely hope this review assist you in making an informed purchaseNov 29, 2023
by Anonymous
Nov 15, 2021
Its a nice car and gets great gas mileage. Just dont put aftermarket headlights in it.Nov 15, 2021

2006 Volkswagen Jetta Pricing

Original MSRP
$18,530 to $24,220
Price range
N/A
Average price on CG
N/A
YoY price change
N/A

Trims & specs

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front and rear side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Storage: grocery bag holder

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual adjustments: 8

Exterior Features

Grille color: chrome

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable

Lights

Headlights: auto delay off

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals

Passenger Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: manual

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Safety

Active head restraints: driver

Seatbelts

Rear center seatbelt: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium cloth

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside

Suspension

Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Spare tire size: full-size matching · Wheels: steel

Wheels

Wheel covers: full

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent · Power windows: remote operation

Air Conditioning

Climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front and rear side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

6 disc in-dash CD · AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center with pass-thru · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: cargo tie-down anchors and hooks

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual adjustments: 8

Exterior Features

Grille color: chrome

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

Lights

Headlights: auto delay off

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals

Passenger Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual Adjustments: 8

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Roof

Sunroof: power glass

Safety

Active head restraints: driver

Seatbelts

Rear center seatbelt: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside

Suspension

Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Spare tire size: full-size matching · Wheels: alloy

Wheels

Wheel locks: front and rear

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent · Power windows: remote operation

Air Conditioning

Climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front and rear side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

6 disc in-dash CD · AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center with pass-thru · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual adjustments: 8

Exterior Features

Grille color: chrome

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

Lights

Headlights: auto delay off

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: heated

Passenger Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual Adjustments: 8

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Roof

Sunroof: power glass

Safety

Active head restraints: driver

Seatbelts

Rear center seatbelt: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside

Suspension

Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Spare tire size: full-size matching · Wheels: alloy

Wheels

Wheel locks: front and rear

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent · Power windows: remote operation

Air Conditioning

Climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

6 disc in-dash CD · AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center with pass-thru · Center console trim: wood · Dash trim: wood · Door trim: wood · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: wood · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: trunk release · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: grocery bag holder · Sunshade: rear window

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual adjustments: 8

Exterior Features

Grille color: chrome

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Headlights: Auto on/off

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic

Passenger Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual Adjustments: 8

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Roof

Moonroof: one-touch open/close

Safety

Active head restraints: driver · Parking sensors: rear

Seatbelts

Rear center seatbelt: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather

Suspension

Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheels: alloy

Wheels

Wheel locks: front and rear

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent · Power windows: remote operation

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