2012 Volkswagen Jetta

The Jetta continues to be offered in four different trims with the lower trims offering only the basics to keep the prices in check and only the higher trims offer most of the premium features. The SE trim offers a handful of convenience features with the inclusion of a leatherette upholstery while all of the creature comforts are only offered with the SEL trim. There is no option to choose for any drivetrain option but one can opt between an automatic or manual transmission. 

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Since the lower trims do not offer any sort of convenience features and creature comforts and the SEL trim gets too expensive, it is recommended to spend a bit more and opt for the SE trim. The choice for the transmission depends on the buyer’s personal preference. 

The 2012 gasoline-powered Jetta is offered with engine options. The lower trims are offered with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that is rated to produce a humble 115 hp and 125 lb-ft of torque. The top-end SEL trim is powered by a more powerful 2.5-liter inline-5 engine that generates 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. Both the engines are mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission, both of which power only the front wheels. 

The performance from the base four-cylinder engine is lackluster as expected and with the manual transmission, it manages to reach 60 mph from a standstill in rather lethargic 10.8 seconds while needing over 18 seconds to cover the quarter-mile. The five-cylinder unit on the other hand does the 0-60 mph sprint in a respectable 8.4 seconds. This engine is also rated with the super-clean PZEV emissions certification in California-emission states. 

Although the Jetta has lost its old-time premium charm, it is still a solid German car to drive. The steering is quick and precise and despite the small dead spot at the center, it does not unnerve the driver. The ride quality is also pretty good with the suspension tuned well to mask most of the day-to-day road undulations well. The base engine lacks the grunt needed while the automatic transmission can be slow to respond and therefore is better to be avoided. 

The prices might have come on par with the rivals, but the 2012 Jetta clearly lacks in terms of performance from its base engine. The Kia Forte which is the most affordable sedan here is the quickest off the mark while the popular Honda Civic is just a hair’s length behind it. The Toyota Corolla isn’t the best performing sedan in this segment, but it too is about a second quicker than the Jetta. 

The base engine of the 2012 Jetta is rated for a respectable 28 mpg for a combined city and highway driving course but the larger and more powerful five-cylinder engine does well as it is rated for 23/33/26 in city/highway/combined driving conditions. The 14.5-gallon fuel tank on offer is one of the largest in the segment and hence offers over 350 miles of range on a single tank of gas even with the more powerful engine. 

Though the base engine of the Jetta is pretty frugal, against its rivals it feels subordinate. The Kia Forte has a marginally better fuel economy with the Toyota Corolla being even more frugal than that. The Honda Civic leads the pack with the lowest fuel consumption in this segment but employs a smaller gas tank which brings the driving range on par with the Jetta. Both the Forte and Corolla have slightly shorter driving range than the Jetta and Civic. 

After the redesign last year, the interior is where VW cut corners the most which disappointed most buyers and experts alike. To compensate for that, the 2012 model year brings back some of the premium materials with the SEL trim, but some of the creature comforts that used to make the Jetta stand out are still missing which are still on offer on the Sportwagen variant of the Jetta. The build quality is still pretty solid though and there are no complaints regarding the fit and finish of the cabin, but the cheap hard plastics are what stand out like a sore thumb.

In terms of cabin space, there is no shortage of any as both the front and rear row passengers can enjoy plenty of headroom and legroom which is one of the best in this class. The seats are very well bolstered and feel comfortable as well while the two-tone upholstery looks particularly stylish. The trunk is pretty large as well, measuring up to 15.7 cu-ft which is almost as big as some of the midsize sedans. Adding to that the folding rear seats are an added bonus that opens up even more space for added cargo space when need be. 

The Kia Forte has the most spacious front seats in this comparison as it offers the best headroom and legroom to accommodate even taller passengers comfortably. That being said, the rear seat is pretty tight. The Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla have a similarly sized cabin and boot on offer, both of which are much smaller than the Jetta. In all, the 2012 Jetta is and feels the most spacious in its segment. 

• 6-way adjustable heated front bucket sport seats
• 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat
• Two-tone leatherette seat trim
• Tilt/telescoping leather-wrapped 3-spoke multifunction steering wheel
• Leather-wrapped shift knob & handbrake grip
• Remote keyless entry w/remote push-button start

How intuitive is the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan’s infotainment unit?

Though the material quality has taken a big hit since the redesign, the design is still very European with a simple and clean design language that looks pretty elegant to look at. The available touchscreen interface is pretty intuitive to use and the redundant knob control makes it easier to use while on the move. Though the smaller screen limits the amount of data displayed in the optional navigation system and the fact that both need to be added an optional extra, will upset many buyers.

• Premium VIII touchscreen infotainment system
• 6-disc in-dash CD changer
• RNS315 navigation system
• 7-speaker Fender premium audio w/subwoofer
• SiriusXM Satellite satellite radio with a 3-month complimentary subscription
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Media Device Interface (MDI) w/iPod cable

Volkswagen has never been known for its flamboyant designs and curvy designs. Instead, it offers a very simple and clean look with straight body lines that some might like to call tepid. We feel the new upright Jetta looks attractive in a traditional manner and is far better to look at than its previous generation model. The thin ribbed grille with the headlamps that look very similar to other VW cars does in fact look good while the rear looks attractive as well with the wide taillights. 

The additional cabin space and luggage room in the Jetta are due to its added length over its rivals. It is the longest and widest sedan here and hence also weighs the most. The Honda Civic is the most compact sedan here but still has the longest wheelbase to offer. The Kia Forte offers the highest ground clearance while the Jetta and Civic have the lowest stance, but the difference between them is minuscule. 

• Dual-reflector halogen headlamps
• Fog lamps
• Chrome grille and window trim
• Heated power mirrors w/integrated turn signals
• Power tilt/sliding sunroof
• Dual exhaust tips
• 17-inch Joda black-accented alloy wheels

The 2012 Volkswagen Jetta might not have the most advanced safety technology on offer to keep the costs low, but with the precision German engineering techniques that Volkswagen employs, safety can never be a concern. The fact the NHTSA has rated the Jetta with a 4-star overall rating and the IIHS has chosen it as the “Top Safety Pick” for the 2012 model year, showcases its might in the safety aspect.

• Electronic stability control (ESC)
• Anti-intrusion side-impact door beams
• Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
• Dual front airbags w/passenger occupant detection
• Driver & front passenger side thorax and side curtain airbags
• Cruise control

The Volkswagen Jetta might have lost its charm of being the premium sedan amongst the affordable compact sedans but it still offers great value by offering plenty of space, a traditional and clean European design, a powerful and efficient engine option, and plenty of available features. All of this at an affordable price tag. So if space and solid build quality are what you crave, the 2012 Jetta is the best bet for your money.