You remember Fahrvergnügen, don’t you? Volkswagen came up with the term to capture the real, but difficult to define, Germanic difference between Volkswagens and other cars. Drive a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta, and you’ll see what we mean—and you’ll experience Fahrvergnügen.
The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta driving experience sets this car apart. It’s a combination of feel (build quality), sensation (taut handling) and satisfaction (value) not found in any other brand. The Jetta has the signature Volkswagen interior, a cabin furnished for the driver’s ease and the passenger’s comfort with superior quality materials and components that project a sense of durability and purpose.
The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta comes in four-door sedan and five-door wagon body styles with gasoline or diesel power options.
The standard engine for S, SE and SEL models is a 170-hp, 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Jettas are EPA-rated to deliver 21 mpg in city driving and 29 mpg on the highway.
The Jetta S trim offers standard 16-inch wheels, tilt steering wheel and telescoping column, heated fronts seats and windshield washers, cruise control and an eight-speaker AM/FM stereo system with CD player and auxiliary input.
The SE trim adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, power sunroof, chrome window trim and a ten-speaker AM/FM stereo system with in-dash six-CD changer with MP3 compatibility.
The Jetta SportWagen model joined the line of sedans mid-2008. The SportWagen adds flexibility without a larger footprint. Most recently, the 2009 Jetta TDI (Turbo Direct Injection) was introduced with a diesel engine that offers the fuel economy of a hybrid and the flexibility of a wagon.
Turn the key in the Jetta and you are greeted with a unique and powerful exhaust note. The sensation of power continues as you pull away smartly from a stop. The 2.5-liter five is a strong engine with good low-end grunt, but the best thing about the 2009 Jetta may just be its handling. The Jetta steers with precision and takes corners with almost no body lean. Highly effective four-wheel disc brakes make stops short and uneventful. NewCarTestDrive.com says, “This is the best-handling front-wheel drive car Volkswagen has produced. It benefits from its multi-link rear suspension, instead of VW/Audi's traditional twist beam, along with a carefully designed MacPherson strut front suspension. The Jetta is a well-balanced car with little or no sense that the front end is doing the work of both pulling and steering the car.” The reviewers go on to say, “We can attest that the Jetta will cruise all day long at 90 mph and, given an autobahn or racetrack to explore, will reach almost 130 mph at its top end. “
Inside, the Jetta is roomy, comfortable and nicely finished. Even the base model's seat contours provide a high degree of support. As NewCarTestDrive.com says, “Here's where Volkswagen's attention to detail is particularly convincing. The driver enjoys excellent visibility and ease of operation with logical controls and instruments. All models come with a full array of safety features. Finish quality is good inside and out, and the trunk is larger than in many sedans costing much more. So at just under $17,000, the Jetta is a compelling buy.”
Yes, Virginia, Fahrvergnügen is real, and you can find it in the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. We urge you to give us a call and we’ll give you a taste of Jetta, perhaps the best European car value in America.
