Vehicle Type: Sedan

Model year 2011 saw an all-new Jetta hit the Canadian market with new looks, new features, new technology, and an attractive new price point. Designed to give competitors from Toyota, Honda, Ford and others a run for their money on both driving dynamics and pricing, the latest Jetta offered up plenty of selection and model variants.

Feature content included a Fender audio system, heated leather, sunroof, push-button start, automatic climate control, heated mirrors and wiper nozzles, and plenty more. Look for a generous trunk, an upscale cabin, and a comfortable, pleasant all-around driving experience. Some models offered a Connectivity Package, which adds a multifunction steering wheel with a range of controls, right at the driver’s fingertips, to manipulate the Bluetooth phone interface and Media Device Interface with iPod connectivity.

Engines / Trim: All Jetta models were four-door, four-cylinder, front-drive five-seaters, with a range of powertrains and model variants on offer. Depending on the year and model, powerplant options included a turbocharged hybrid, and no less than three different gasoline engine options. Look for manual, automatic or lightning-fast DSG transmission technology, depending on the model selected, too.

Earlier models from this generation were old-school under the hood, offering VW’s age-old 2.0L gas four-cylinder engine as standard, and a 2.5L five-cylinder as an up-level option. A new 1.8L turbo four-cylinder replaced the 2.5 straight-five from 2013, and the old 2.0L engine was replaced by a new 1.4L turbo unit in newer used models. The Jetta TDI offered a 2.0L turbodiesel four-cylinder, and the GLI borrowed the spunky 2.0L turbo gas engine from the GTI.

What Owners Like: Owners typically report pleasing performance and fuel economy on most models, a refined and quiet powertrain, generous trunk space, and a comfortable and athletic driving feel. The xenon lighting system and Fender stereo are feature-content favourites. Notably, many owners say the Jetta’s perceivable feeling of solid quality helped make their purchase decision easy.

What Owners Dislike: Gripes are few and far between, though they typically centre around some low-budget interior trimmings, and the lack of a proper arm-rest on certain models.

Here’s a look at some owner reviews.

The Test Drive: Engine problems seem fairly infrequent, with the majority of those reported online being sensor-related and relatively easy to diagnose and fix. Regardless, finding a model with full service records to prove its maintenance is up to date is a good idea. Earlier issues with timing gear and sensors on the 2.5L powerplant seem to have been addressed by time this generation came around, and maximum confidence seems largely a function of staying on top of maintenance.

On a TDI-powered model, ensure performance is smooth and seamless, and that on-time oil changes have been carried out throughout the vehicle’s life. Note that white, oily-smelling smoke shortly after startup of a cold engine could be a sign of a worn-out turbocharger, which is more likely (but still fairly unlikely) on a higher-mileage unit. Also ask a mechanic to check the fuel lines and fuel delivery system for possible signs of leaking. Here’s some more information on the Jetta TDI.

Key info: 2015 Volkswagen Jetta – 9 Things You Need to Know

In other applications, the 2.0T engine that powers the sportier Jetta GLI has been noted for issues ranging from valve gunk and carbon buildup (on all engine variants) to issues with timing system components and engine failure before revised valvetrain parts were applied as a fix. As a bare minimum, if you’re considering a Jetta GLI, be sure to have the ECU scanned for a misfire code (which can indicate valve gunk buildup), and opt for any extended warranty coverage that might be available, especially on an older unit. Here’s some more reading.

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