The four-door Volkswagen Jetta sedan is available in four models distinguished by engine size and standard features. Jetta's price nearly doubles from base model to a loaded GLI.
The base Jetta ($16,490) and Jetta 2.5 ($17,990) are powered by a 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder engine generating 150 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque, with a five-speed manual transmission. Both the Jetta and Jetta 2.5 are available with VW's six-speed automatic transmission ($1,075), which includes a Tiptronic manual shift feature.
Standard equipment includes cloth upholstery, air conditioning, power windows, cruise control, a CD player, eight-way manually adjustable front seats, a manual tilt-and-telescope steering wheel, and power locks with remote. The Jetta 2.5 adds 16-inch steel wheels (compared to 15-inch), wider tires and standard Electronic Stability Program anti-skid electronics. And it can be equipped with a host of options.
Option Package One ($2,000) includes higher-power audio with an in-dash six-CD changer, leatherette (vinyl) upholstery, a fold-flat rear seat and alloy wheels. Package Two ($4,400) adds leather upholstery, front-seat position memory and dual-zone automatic climate control to the contents of Package One. Stand-alone options include heated seats ($175), alloy wheels ($400), the premium audio ($328), a power sunroof ($1,000), and DVD-based satellite navigation ($1,800).
The Jetta 2.0T ($21,990) and GLI ($23,990) are powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with a six-speed manual transmission. This high-tech engine produces 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. These models offer VW's Direct Shift Gearbox ($1075) as an option. This six-speed works like a manual transmission with an automatic clutch pedal, and can be shifted manually or left in full automatic mode.
The 2.0T adds the folding rear seat, a leather-wrapped steering-wheel with audio controls, remote trunk release, 17-inch alloy wheels, and other features beyond those included on the Jetta 2.5. The GLI adds sport seats, high-intensity bi-xenon headlights and sporty touches such as alloy pedals and a leather shift knob.
Option Package One ($1,900) for the turbocharged models includes the sunroof, heated seats and the premium audio. Package Two ($4,000) adds leather upholstery and dual-zone automatic climate control.
Safety features that come standard include front airbags, front passenger side-impact airbags for torso protection, and curtain-style airbags for head protection front and rear. Rear passenger side-impact airbags are optional ($350). All Jettas have anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and traction control (ASR). Electronic stability control (ESP) is standard on all but the base model, which offers this skid-management system as an option ($450).
Roadside assistance is included in the Jetta warranty package.
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