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Among these four Bavarians, only one has mass appeal, and its name is VW Jetta. One law of our automotive marketplace is that significant sales can only be achieved with a four-door body, and that the Jetta has. It added an optional wagon form three years ago, and deciding between the two is only the first of many buying decisions. The three different trim lines - GL, GLS, GLI - contain various combinations of the four available engines that mix and match with the four transmissions.
Even on the Jetta GL (starting at $18,005), power windows, locks, cruise control, CD, antilock disc brakes, keyless entry, side airbags, and a telescopic steering wheel are part of the deal. The Jetta GLS charges about two grand (depending on model) for adding an armrest, a sunroof, a Monsoon sound system, and alloy wheels. Both GL and GLS share the same six powertrain combinations. The base 2.0-liter engine (horsepower 115, torque 122) connects to a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic. An uplevel 1.8-liter turbo engine (horsepower 180, torque 173) on the GL/GLS 1.8T comes with the same manual while the optional transmission gets upgraded to a 5-speed manumatic ("Tiptronic" in VW-speak). These same transmissions can be paired to the diesel engine on GL/GLS TDI models - available in all states but California, Maine, Massachusetts, New York and Vermont - making it the most European Jetta available, one of the most miserly forms of transportation short of a hybrid, and the nation's only diesel car in 2004. Horsepower is a mere 100 but torque is way up at 177, ensuring plenty of thrust in low-speed driving. The cargo-friendly Jetta wagon (52 cubic feet) nearly mirrors the sedan lineup except for the mysteriously missing GL 1.8T, which leaves five choices: GL, GL TDI, GLS, GLS 1.8T, GLS TDI. And so ends coverage of all Jettas available with an automatic transmission. For the dwindling few who prefer to shift for themselves, the two most interesting Jettas are still to come.
For those more partial to instant speed than gas mileage, there's the Jetta GLI VR6, which, in addition to setting the suspension to "sport," boosts cylinders to six, horsepower to 200, torque to 195, and price to $23,785. Tires get increased to 225/45-17 to handle the more serious power and suspension. Curiously, Volkswagen's top Jetta (the $24,375 GLI 1.8T) cuts cylinders back down to four by employing the motor that powers the downscale GL 1.8T and GLS 1.8T models. Output might be down from the Volkswagen's V6, but thrills are up thanks to that high-pressure turbocharger. Drivers who don't mind waiting for their kick in the pants will be rewarded with a more forceful one than the V6 can supply. The Jetta GLI 1.8T also takes the suspension a level up - by lowering it. Wheels are maximized at 18 inches (wearing Y-rated 225/40-18 tires!), the most monstrous in this entire field. By the way, the manual attached to these cars has six speeds to play with, not five. This is the frenetic Jetta.
Volkswagen's decision to limit the racer-minded GLI 1.8T to a manual transmission is sensible if inconsistent, since this pairing exists on lower models. But it's strange that Volkswagen took out the GLX V6 automatic, which has been integral to the Jetta lineup since 1993. As it stands, automatic Jetta shoppers are stranded with either the gutless 2.0 models or the uneven power delivery of a mismatched turbo engine. It looks like full enjoyment of the Jetta is strictly reserved for those willing to use their left hand and foot. When Volkswagen says "Drivers Wanted," they mean it.