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Introduction
What's New - The SportWagen is back after a three-year absence and is available with either a 2.5-liter engine, the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine from the GLI, or the TDI diesel. Gasoline-powered models arrive at dealers in July, while the diesel is expected in August.
What We Think - We're really coming around in favor of small and midsize wagons, especially when they're styled like the Jetta. Next to minivans, they're some of the most practical vehicles to consider, and given the plethora of models available with four- and six-cylinder engines (and to a lesser degree, diesels), they're an especially good choice for buyers who need efficient utility. The TDI version sounds most enticing, with its 236 lb.-ft. of torque making for some serious off-the-line fun and its promise of superior fuel economy.
Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen - 2009 First Drive: The eccentric relative: you might have one, or know someone who does. It's the uncle who has a charming "old style" hobby like model trains or who travels the world by booking passage on freighters. While his curious habits are odd and amusing, they're all harmless. After all, he's generous, a lot of fun at family gatherings, and always warmly welcomed.
Volkswagen knows all about it. In fact, it's long had a quirky model in its lineup: the station wagon. The history goes back to the oddball Transporter, what the company called the Volkswagen Station Wagon in the U.S. and we called the Microbus. Today, after a half-century of bringing something called a wagon to the U.S., VW reaches 2008 with a new introduction: the 2009 Jetta SportWagen.
Four models with essentially three trim levels offer buyers a selection among prices, engines and options, including a diesel model. All the high-end safety features are standard, and there are several options that add convenience and a bit of luxury. The little wagon is an enjoyable drive and will be appreciated by those who favor function over form. If one word sums it up, it would be "purposeful." A nimble, well-made car with good storage capacity makes sense in an era of gasoline prices teetering on the brink of $4 a gallon. All that makes the Jetta SportWagen looks even more likeable than your eccentric relative.
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