2008 Volkswagen Jetta

Even though the Jetta has been a small car staple nearly as long as the Civic, Corolla, or Sentra, it rarely gets mentioned in the same breath as any of them -- or any other cars, for that matter. To be sure, there are reasons behind the disconnect, most of them rooted in Volkswagen's positioning of the Jetta as an unique, upper-class alternative.

Basically, Volkswagen seems to think this is a luxury car -- and in some ways, they're convincing. To step inside a Jetta is to be blown away by the beauty, class, and attention to detail in the design and materials. It exceeds expectations for amenities and safety features, and it moves down the road feeling like a silent, solid piece of machinery. Unfortunately, Volkswagen's high opinion of the Jetta has long been reflected in its precious pricing (though a 2007 adjustment narrowed the difference).

And the Jetta doesn't feel too special in most other ways. Plain handling, a blatty-sounding 5-cylinder engine, and the heaviest curb weight in its class (3,300 pounds) keep it pretty uninteresting to drive. Fuel economy is mediocre. The front seats are great, but Volkswagen's insistence on having a huge trunk keeps the back seat somewhat cramped.

The best reasons for buying a Jetta are its optional powertrains. Models with the turbo engine and sport suspension should show you a good time, while the diesel engine (which returns in 2009 after a two-year hiatus) holds strong appeal among those who like high fuel economy and long cruising ranges.

But as far as the regular version, the Jetta is best summed up as a decent car with a unique set of strengths and weaknesses.
What's new for the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta: The 5-cylinder engine jumps from 150 to 170 horsepower. Some trim lines get renamed, leaving the S, SE, SEL, and GLI.