by James Hamel

Created on: January 16, 2011   Last Updated: January 22, 2011

Volkswagen took an entirely new approach to the North American market with the launch of the larger, less technologically advanced and also admittedly less expensive 2011 VW Jetta. So was VW wise to cut the acres of soft touch plastic and damped switch action that used to be hallmarks of their interiors? Well, to price the Jetta against Civic, Corolla and the ever stronger Korean competition, VW really had no choice in the matter.

North Americans equate sedan size with how much it should cost so a relatively small, luxurious and expensive Jetta always seemed over-priced even with its once superior interior quality and hi-tech rear suspension layout. So when VW redesigned the North American Jetta for 2011 they jettisoned the independent rear suspension in favor of a less athletic torsion beam setup and removed most of the soft-touch plastic from the dashboard and door panels.  

Don’t misunderstand, the inside of a 2011 VW Jetta still looks the same and the controls still work in the same precise Germanic way. Just when you bang your elbow against the inner door panel it hurts now and when you glide your hand along the inner door panel the edges are sharper. If you want all of that stuff you are going to have to buy a 2011 VW Golf which still has the trick rear suspension and fancy interior fittings.

The SEL is the top of the line trim level for models with the peppy 2.5 liter 170 horsepower/177 lb. feet of torque 5-cylinder that will power most 2011 Jettas. Basic value leading S models ($15,995) are powered by a rather underpowered 2.0 liter 115 horsepower/125 lb. feet of torque 4-cylinder with a history long enough to qualify it for Social Security. Skip it if you can.

The SEL model appeals thanks to its low base price ($21,395) relative to its high feature count which includes in-dash navigation, 6-speaker premium audio, Bluetooth, USB/iPod integration, very convincing “leatherette” seat trim, air conditioning, push button start, 17-inch alloys, Sirius satellite radio, rear disc brakes (drums are standard on lesser Jettas), heated front seats, power windows, power/heated side mirrors, floor mats and as is true of every 2011 VW you also get 3 years/36,000 miles of free maintenance.

From behind the wheel of the 2011 VW Jetta SEL, this car definitely feels larger than the car it replaces. A little bit of the agility and precision has been lost but so too has the cramped rear seat (legroom is ample enough for 6-footers to cross their legs)

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