VW’s 2011 Jetta has maybe a few too many trim levels, with two entry-level sedans and a whole trim mostly for a radio upgrade. But there are some clear winners in the bunch, like the zippy S Sport with its heated leather seats, and the turbocharged TDI models.
Key Points
- The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta‘s wide range of trim levels offer something for everyone, but there are a few that don’t quite justify the price bump.
- The S Sport adds Bluetooth connectivity, heated seats, and cruise control, but most of the interior technology feels dated by now.
- VW’s 2011 Jetta comes standard with several safety features, like electronic stability control and tire pressure monitoring system, but that’s about as high tech as it gets.
- The 2011 Jetta is offered with three engine options: 2.0L, 2.5L, and 2.0L TD. There are also two body styles: sport hatchback, and four-door sedan.
Base and S Trim Make for Adequate but Unimpressive Entry-level Sedans
The 2011 Jetta is offered in two different versions (hatchback sport and four-door sedan), four different trim levels (S, SE, SEL, and TDI), plus the Base sedan, and that’s without getting into the various packages. That adds up to a lot of options, but it’s not so complicated when you lay it all out.
Let’s start with what you’re getting in the Base sedan:
- Power windows with one-touch up/down
- Six-way manual front bucket seats
- Compact spare tire
- Hydraulic brake assist and electronic brake pressure distribution
Under the hood, you’ve got front-wheel drive with a six-speed automatic paired to a 2.0L inline-four engine delivering 125 lb.-ft. of torque and 115 horsepower at 23/29 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
Fairly basic, but that’s the entry trim level, starting in the area of $5,668 as shown on Kelley Blue Book. It gives us plenty of room for upgrades with the higher trim levels.
The S sedan is a modest upgrade from the Base, averaging around $800 extra on KBB. For that, you’re getting power-heated exterior mirrors and the option of either a five-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic.
2011 Volkswagen Jetta’s S Sport, SE, and SEL Offer Better Performance Plus Slick Chrome Accents and Bluetooth Connectivity
You could say that the S Sport is the first real upgrade in the lineup. Here’s what you’re getting on top of the entry-level trim:
- Heated eight-way manual front bucket seats
- Illuminated instrumentation with metallic trim
- Chrome interior accents
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Cruise control
Nice features, but the real draw is the 2.5L DOHC engine under the hood, delivering 177 lb.-ft. of torque and 170 horsepower at 24/33 mpg city/highway.
The S Sport starts at around $6,254 per Kelley Blue Book, roughly the same price as the S sedan but with a noticeable performance boost.
The SE sedan is, in all the ways that matter, just an S Sport with a sedan body. Same features, same engine, same mechanical specs. They added some leatherette paneling throughout the interior, but the sedan body is the only difference you’re really gonna notice at first glance. Finally, the SEL sedan adds heated seats and a five-inch touchscreen to the SE.
SE Sport’s Once Cutting-edge Premium VIII Touchscreen May Now Feel Out of Date
The SE Sport starts with the base features and specs of the S Sport, and adds a handful of shiny new features:
- Chrome interior accents
- V-tex leatherette seat trim and door panel inserts
- Leather-wrapped shift knob and handbrake
- Premium VIII touchscreen entertainment system with 10 speakers and aux input
Those features add about $1,500 to the overall price tag. The biggest upgrade is the Premium VIII which, let’s face it, is 10 years out of date by now, so you might be better off pocketing the difference and buying an aftermarket stereo system.
TDI Sport and TDI Sedan Feature Top-of-the-Line Performance Plus All the Best Features from Other Trims
Named for the turbocharged 2.0L TDI engine under the hood, the TDI Sport and Sedan offer a big step up in terms of performance, with some bonus features in the cabin and exterior styling, too, including the following:
- Leatherette seat trim and door panels
- Heated manual adjust bucket seats upfront
- Leather-wrapped shift knob and handbrake
With the 2.0L TDI, you’re getting a major torque upgrade at 236 lb.-ft. of torque., while the horsepower takes a hit at 140, and the fuel efficiency gets a bump at 30/42 city/highway. The interior features are nice, but the engine is what you’re really paying for, with the TDI models running about $3,000 over the Base sedan.
Besides the body type, the TDI Sedan is basically the same car as the TDI Sport, but the Sport adds chrome styling to the exterior and heated seats that manually adjust eight ways.
2011 Volkswagen Jetta’s S Sport Offers the Most Bang for Buck
We can admit it, there’s a lot to like about the TDI models. But with KBB starting those cars off in the $10,000 range, you’d be better off buying something a little newer at those prices. The S Sport’s 170-horsepower engine should be tough enough for most drivers, and when you throw in heated seats and Bluetooth, it’s a darn solid deal for under $6,300.
Photos: Volkswagen
