2013 Volkswagen Jetta

The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta is available in four trims, namely the Base, S, SE, and SEL. The Jetta is also available with a TDI engine option and hence a separate trim. All the trims provide many features and optional packages to cater to different buyers. All the trims offer good interior space and cargo capacity, but the base and the S trims lack performance. For better performance, you need to go for SE and SEL trims.

Which trim should you buy?

We believe that the SE trim makes more sense as it is equipped with many creature comforts and also comes with a more powerful engine. You get most of the features of the SEL trim and optional packages can be used to further muscle up the SE trim. The SE trim is also around $4,000 cheaper as compared to the SEL trim, making it the best value for money option in the lineup. 

The 2013 Jetta is powered by a 2.0L inline-four engine which produces about 115 hp and 125 lb-ft of torque. The engine is refined and the performance is good but not exciting, to say the least. It is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission and comes in FWD configuration only. The SE and SEL trims get a 2.5L inline-5 engine, producing about 170 hp on regular gas. The 2.0L engine is not bad but just takes its own sweet time to accelerate, and it does a 0-60 mph sprint in 11.1 seconds. The quarter-mile drag is done in about 18.2 seconds.

The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze comes with the smallest engine of the lot, yet it produces decent firepower and does a 0-60 mph sprint in 9.5 seconds. The Ford Focus offers maximum power output, and the Elantra follows it to get the second spot. The Elantra is considerably slower and does a 0-60 mph sprint in 11.2 seconds. When comparing the price tag, Chevrolet is the most expensive option in the lineup.

The 2013 Jetta might be lacking in performance with its base engine but delivers good fuel efficiency. It offers 23 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg in combined driving conditions. With a fuel tank of 14.5 gallons, the Jetta can travel up to 334 miles in the city, 421 miles on the highway, and 363 miles in mixed driving conditions. 

The Chevrolet Cruze is equipped with the largest fuel tank of the lot, and it also offers about 30 mpg in mixed driving conditions. With a fuel tank capacity of 15.6 gallons, it can offer a combined range of 468 miles. The Hyundai Elantra is the most fuel-efficient car here, and it offers 32 mpg in combined conditions and can travel up to 410 miles on a full tank of gas. 

The interior design of the 2013 Jetta is not everyone’s cup of tea. It is simple and functional, but creativity is missing. After seeing the interior design in other sedans, you might just acknowledge Jetta’s cabin as boring. The materials used are made up of hard plastics and cloth, which makes the interior look bland and unexciting. We have seen much better interior design in this segment.

To get better quality materials and leather upholstery, you need to opt for higher trims. The front seats have adequate headroom and legroom. Even the rear seat offers good headroom, while the legroom is just about adequate. However, very tall passengers might feel uncomfortable over long journeys. The climate controls are also accessible to both the front passenger and driver. The design is ergonomic and is easy to use. 

The Jetta offers a better cargo capacity than its competitors. You can get access to 15.5 cu-ft of space in its trunk. The Chevrolet Cruze comes close in terms of cargo capacity, followed by Elantra and Focus. The legroom offered by Jetta in the second row is more as compared to all. However, the headroom is less as compared to the Focus. Some of the standout interior features of the 2013 Jetta are:

• Steering mounted controls 
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel 
• Dual-zone climate control
• Rearview camera 
• Interior air filtration system

How intuitive is the 2013 Jetta’s infotainment system?

The infotainment system in the Jetta is well loaded and comes with the most necessary features as standard. You get a 7-inch touchscreen display that is glare-free to some extent and responsive in nature. The base Jetta gets a basic stereo system and auxiliary input jack. As you climb the trim ladder, you get access to features like satellite radio, a nine-speaker Fender audio system, a media interface with iPod cable, a navigation system, etc. Some of the standout infotainment features of the 2013 Jetta are:

• Fender audio system (Higher trims)
• Car-net smartphone integration 
• Navigation system (Higher trims)
• Voice recognition 
• 7.0-inch touchscreen display 
• USB ports and AUX input 

The 2013 Jetta is clearly distinguishable from its competitors. It gets a minimalistic yet effective design. The subtle lines and curves look good and give the car an executive look. The design is not overdone in any way. The front fascia imbibes two small headlamps with DRLs and a three-line chrome grille with the Volkswagen logo on it. The sides are also plain and do not come with sharp angular creases or strong character lines. Overall, the design is not loud and demands your attention. 

The Elantra is the lightest car in the segment, and that is the prime reason for its very good fuel efficiency. The Jetta is heavier than the Elantra and lighter than other cars in the competition. It gets a ground clearance of 5.5-inches, just about adequate in this class. However, better ground clearance is always appreciated. The Chevrolet Cruze has a higher ground clearance of 6.4-inches. The Hyundai Elantra gets a longer wheelbase and is shorter in length when compared to the Jetta. Some of the standout exterior features of the 2013 Jetta are:

• Roof rack kit- Ski
• 18-inch Preston silver alloy wheels (Higher trims)
• Heated washer nozzles 
• Chrome exhaust tips
• Lip spoiler 

The 2013 Jetta is well equipped with many safety features, and its structural design is proven to be safe. The NHTSA has given it a 4-star rating in frontal and rollover collision tests, while a 5-star rating for side crash tests. The IIHS has awarded it the “2013 Top Safety Pick” award for its good performance in various crash tests conducted. From the base trim itself, you get features like airbags, emergency braking assist, traction control, ABS, vehicle stability control, and an optional rearview camera. Some of the standout safety features of the 2013 Jetta are:

• Blind-spot monitoring
• Post-collision safety system 
• Forward collision alert 
• Lane keep assist 
• Tire pressure monitoring system 

The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta is not for everyone. It is a very good vehicle, but its interior and exterior design might appeal to few people. It scores well on safety quotient and offers good fuel efficiency from its base 2.0L engine. However, the performance will not make you grin, and you will ask for more. It offers a good infotainment system, and the comfort level is good too. However, there are many options in the segment which come as an overall better package in terms of pricing, performance, and aesthetics.