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Review of the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

2009 Volkswagen Jetta

Starting Price $24,590

suitable for: Diapers
School
Teens

21 to 22
City MPG

29
Hwy MPG

5 Seats
2 Rows
2 Latch Connectors
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Interior

I easily found a comfortable driving position in the Jetta; with its height-adjustable seat and tilt/telescoping steering wheel, I felt in command of the road. I loved the simplicity of the controls, and the nighttime blue-and-red color scheme was so cool I made up reasons to run errands at night.

The backseat’s legroom wasn’t ample, but I’d consider it adequate. I’d be cautious about asking an adult to sit in the backseat during a road trip if the front-seat occupants were unwilling to pull their seats forward a bit. Anyone riding behind me and my shortish frame would be fine, but a taller driver might encroach on the foot space of a rear passenger.

I have to admit that I was really impressed by the Jetta’s V-Tex seating surfaces. V-Tex is a fancy name for Volkswagen’s top-of-the-line vinyl seating surfaces. My initial reaction to the idea of a vinyl car seat was “No, thanks.” However, I was pleasantly surprised at how supple and comfortable the V-Tex seats were; this isn’t your mama’s vinyl. It was easy to clean and didn’t require any additional care (like conditioning) in the dry climate where I live. The quality made me less likely to discount vinyl options in the future.

My kids loved the rear center console that pulled out of the center seatback, and they thought the super-secret pop-out cupholder in the end of the console was nifty. I thought that same cupholder was flimsy, and I wouldn’t expect it to last more than a year or two before some child snapped a piece off it.

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT

Storage Compartments (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Fair
Cargo/Trunk Space (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Ample

shopping around: At cars.com

key interior: Features

    ● Distinctive blue-and-red-lighting scheme
    ● Latch connectors are accessible and easy to use
    ● Standard heated front seats
    ● Huge cargo area with rear pass-thru
    ● Plenty of backseat legroom

available interior: Colors

  • Anthracite
  • Anthracite

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