- Refined 2.0-litre FSI petrol engines
- Frugal turbo-diesel engines
- Comfortable and quiet interior
- Capacious boot
- Generally impressive ride/handling balance…
- … but suspension lacks low-speed compliance on 225/45 R17 tyres
- Steering lacks feel
- Direct-injection 2.0 FSI engine susceptible to carbon deposits on the intake valves
- For DSG, reports of harsh or jerky gearshifts due to excessive wear in the bushings of solenoid valves in the Mechatronic unit
Overview
Released in February 2006, the Volkswagen Mk.5 Jetta was a mid-size sedan. Manufactured in Puebla, Mexico, the VW Mk.5 Jetta range initially consisted of the 2.0 FSI, 2.0 TFSI and 2.0 TDI variants. In 2009, however, the range was expanded with the introduction of the price-leading 118TSI variant, while the 2.0 TDI was renamed the 103TDI and the 2.0 TFSI became the 147TSI. In November 2009, the 77TDI and 125TDI were introduced.
Dimensions
Compared to the Volkswagen 1J Bora which it replaced, the Mk.5 Jetta was 178 mm longer (at 4554 mm), 46 mm wider (1781 mm), 13 mm taller (1459 mm) and had a 65 mm longer wheelbase (2578 mm). Furthermore, the increased use of laser welding (from 5 to 35 per cent of body parts) and high-strength steel contributed to a 15 per cent increase in torsional rigidity.
Suspension and steering
Like the Volkswagen Mk.5 Golf on which it was based, the Volkswagen Jetta had MacPherson strut front suspension, four-link coil-sprung rear suspension and an electromechanical power steering system.
| Variant | Year | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 FSI | 2006-08 | 2.0-litre BVY petrol I4 | 6sp man., 6sp auto |
110 kW at 6000 rpm | 200 Nm at 3500 rpm |
| 2.0 TFSI | 2006-08 | 2.0-litre BWA/CAWB turbo petrol I4 | 6sp DCT | 147 kW at 5100 rpm | 280 Nm at 1800-5000 rpm |
| 147TSI | 2009-11 | ||||
| 2.0 TDI | 2006-08 | 2.0-litre BKD turbo-diesel I4 | 6sp man., 6sp DCT |
103 kW at 4000 rpm | 320 Nm at 1750-2500 rpm |
| 103TDI | 2009-11 | ||||
| 125TDI | 2009-11 | 2.0-litre CEGA turbo-diesel I4 | 6sp DCT | 125 kW at 4200 rpm | 350 Nm at 1750-2500 rpm |
| 77TDI | 2009-11 | 1.6-litre CAYC turbo-diesel I4 | 5sp man., 7sp DCT |
77 kW at 4200 rpm | 250 Nm at 1500-2500 rpm |
| 118TSI | 2009-11 | 1.4-litre CAVD turbo- and super-charged petrol I4 | 6sp man., 7sp DCT |
118 kW at 5800 rpm | 240 Nm at 1500-4500 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Volkswagen Mk.5 Jetta included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, active front seat head restraints and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.
Features
Initially, standard features for the VW Mk.5 Jetta included 16-inch alloy wheels, an eight speaker sound system with CD player, dual zone climate control air conditioning, a ventilated glovebox, cruise control, rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, steering wheel audio controls, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, handbrake and gearshift, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, automatically dipping door mirrors when reversing, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, height adjustable front seats, 12 volt power outlet, tyre pressure sensors, tinted windows, a trip computer and an immobiliser.
The 125TDI and 2.0 TFSI were further equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels with sports suspension, a ten speaker sound system with six-stack CD player, contoured sports seats and front fog lights.
November 2009: Jetta update
In November 2009, the Jetta underwent a minor update with standard features extended to include front parking sensors and Volkswagen’s Optical Parking System (display of parking sensor information). However, the newly introduced 77TDI was introduced as a price leader and omitted features such as dual-zone climate control air conditioning (instead fitted with semi-automatic air conditioning), automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers – these were part of an optional ‘Comfort Pack’. Inside, the updated Jetta could be identified by its revised centre console, instruments and steering wheel. The 147TSI and 125TDI were also differentiated from the rest of their range by their ‘Highline’ edition designation.
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