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Volkswagen Jetta V 1.4 TSI (122 Hp)
Overall Rating
8.1 / 10
Volkswagen Jetta:
The Volkswagen Jetta is a compact car/small family car manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen since 1979. Positioned to fill a sedan niche slightly above the firm's Golf hatchback, it has been marketed over seven generations, variously as the Atlantic, Vento, Bora, City Jetta, Jetta City, GLI, Jetta, Clasico, and Sagitar.
The Jetta has been offered in two- and four-door saloon / sedan and sometimes as five-door wagon / estate versions. Since the original version in 1980, the car has grown in size and power with each generation. By mid-2011, almost 10 million Jettas have been produced and sold all over the world. As of April 2014, Volkswagen marketed over 14 million, becoming its top selling model....(Read more on Wikipedia)
V Overview:
Volkswagen Jetta (V). With 200 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. It has moderate fuel consumption (~8.3 l/100km). With a weight of 1300 kg, it falls in the mid‑range. Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 9.8 s). The top speed reaches 199 km/h. A four-door car with a separate trunk, ideal for families and daily commuting. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.
Safety Rating
Euro NCAP Year
2004 (VW Golf V platform)
Adult Occupant
5 stars (33 points)
Stars
5
Expert Note:
While the Jetta V itself was not directly tested by Euro NCAP, its platform-mate, the Volkswagen Golf V, achieved an excellent 5-star rating for adult occupant protection in 2004, indicating strong underlying safety credentials for the Jetta V.
While the Jetta V itself was not directly tested by Euro NCAP, its platform-mate, the Volkswagen Golf V, achieved an excellent 5-star rating for adult occupant protection in 2004, indicating strong underlying safety credentials for the Jetta V.
1.4 TSI (122 Hp) Verdict:
Performance Verdict
Offers a good balance of power for daily driving, feeling responsive and capable for its size, though not overtly sporty.
Fuel Economy
Very good fuel economy, making it an economical choice for both city and highway driving.
Best Use Case:
City driving, economical daily commute, general family use.
Community Verdict
This rating is based on comments found on Reddit, scanned using artificial intelligence, and may not accurately reflect reality.
Allowed: 29%
Neutral: 0%
Issues: 71%
2.1 / 5
Based on AI analysis of 14 discussions
Read What Owners Say
👎 NEGATIVE
I had one back in 2002, found a low milage 2000 black New Beetle with the 2. Slow engine and it was the car I finished college and started my work life in. It was cheap because of the electric gremlins, oh the gremlins and perpetually on CEL. It left me outright stranded once and in general the reliability of the car left so much to be desired that it made me swear off VAG cars to this day, compo
👎 NEGATIVE
In my time driving I’ve seen five cars actively on fire on the side of the road. Three of those were New Beetles.
👎 NEGATIVE
Out if the cars you listed, I’d go with the Chevy. The Jetta might not be too bad if it’s got the tried and true 2.0L engine. But the Chevy would probably be cheaper to maintain. Suggestions of the Vibe/Matrix or Fit are also good. A Toyota Corolla or Hyundai Elantra would also be good, with the Hyundai being cheaper to buy.
👍 POSITIVE
I have owned multiple VWs including 3 Jettas in the last 25 years All were incredibly reliable. I currently drive a Tiguan and have nothing but positive things to say about it. I love it
👍 POSITIVE
Poor maintenance. That is people describe toyotas as bullet proof. They survive poor maintenance better and have less maintenance issues. But go drive a corolla and them drive a jetta and tell me which brings you joy and which drives like a gokart. Vw all day just maintain it
👍 POSITIVE
My 2003 Jetta TDI ran like a top but anything electrical in it was fucked, especially the door sensors.
My 2019 Golf Alltrack with 90,000 miles on the clock sounds and feels like the day I bought it. I love it.
👎 NEGATIVE
I’d like to get out of mine. But I owe more than it’s worth. 2019 Passat Wolfsburg.
But I’ve had to replace the engine - leaking oil more than VW could pinpoint. They replaced it under warranty.
I’ve also replaced the transmission because it just failed and wouldn’t shift anymore. They found metal in trans fluid and replaced it under warranty.
Now I’m gun shy. I have no more warranty left (o
👍 POSITIVE
I tell you I don't trust that jd power reliability crap. You see top 3 Americans brands on top and are all junk.... Dodge, Ford, Chrysler, gmc, Cadillac. Like wtf... I can count on 1 hand this winter I seen a vw Jetta on side of the road or stranded, lil lone causing an accident.
People jus don't take care of vehicles is what it is. Jetta been more reliable and next to no rust living in Midwest s
👎 NEGATIVE
Some of it has to do with the individual generation and motor. The 2.5 inline 5 will run until the eventual heat death of the universe. But the interior in mine is falling apart. Headliner failed at like 120k
👎 NEGATIVE
Mk5 Jetta owner (2009, 2.5) for 4 years. Got the car at 120K miles, have put 65K miles on it.
Besides electrical gremlins (which seem to be a common thing), and the pain of changing out the steering/suspension system myself (all of which would have been covered under "Preventative Maintenance," but the previous owner apparently didn't believe in such a thing), I've had no issues. No major drivetr
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Wide range of efficient and powerful engines (TSI/TDI)
- • Refined ride quality and comfortable interior
- • Spacious trunk for a sedan
- • Solid build quality and premium feel for its class
- • Good safety ratings (based on Golf V platform)
Cons:
- • Some older petrol engines (1.6i, 2.0 FSI) can be underpowered or less efficient
- • Certain early TSI/TFSI engines had known reliability issues (e.g., timing chains, carbon buildup)
- • Interior design can be perceived as conservative by some
- • Rear legroom is adequate but not class-leading
- • Older automatic transmissions (Tiptronic) are less refined than DSG
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(V: 2006 - 2008).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Volkswagen |
| Model: | Jetta |
| Generation: | V |
| Modification (Engine): | 1.4 TSI (122 Hp) |
| Start of production: | 2007 |
| End of production: | 2010 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Sedan |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 4 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 122 Hp @ 5000 rpm. Same horsepower |
| Power per litre: | 87.8 Hp/l [Same length.] |
| Torque: | 200 Nm @ 1500-4000 rpm. |
| Engine Model/Code: | CAXA More details about the engine CAXA |
| Engine displacement: | 1390 |
| Number of cylinders: | 4 |
| Engine configuration: | Inline |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 4 |
| Fuel injection system: | Direct injection |
| Engine aspiration: | Turbocharger, Intercooler |
| Valvetrain: | DOHC |
| Engine oil capacity: | 3.6 l |
| Coolant: | 5.6 l |
| Engine layout: | Front, Transverse |
| Cylinder Bore: | 76.5 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 75.6 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 10:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - urban: | 8.3 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban: | 5.2 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - combined (NEDC): | 6.3 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - urban (NEDC): | 8.3 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban (NEDC): | 5.2 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - combined: | 6.3 l/100 km |
| Emission standard: | Euro 4 |
| Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h: | 9.8 sec |
| Acceleration 0 - 62 mph: | 9.8 sec |
| Maximum speed: | 199 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 10.7 kg/Hp, 93.8 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 6.5 kg/Nm, 153.8 Nm/tonne |
| Acceleration 0 - 60 mph: | 9.3 sec |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 1300 |
| Max. weight: | 1910 |
| Max. roof load: | 75 kg |
| Max load: | 610 |
| Trunk (boot) space - minimum: | 527 l |
| Permitted trailer load with brakes (12%): | 1300 kg |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 55 l |
| Permitted trailer load without brakes: | 680 kg |
| Permitted towbar download: | 75 kg |
| Permitted trailer load with brakes (8%): | 1600 kg |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Ramp-over (brakeover) angle: | 9.9° |
| Length: | 4554 mm mm [Same length.] |
| Width: | 1781 mm mm [Same width.] |
| Height: | 1459 mm mm [Same height.] |
| Wheelbase: | 2578 mm mm [Same wheelbase.] |
| Width including mirrors: | 2010 mm |
| Front track: | 1534 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1512 mm |
| Minimum turning circle (turning diameter): | 10.9 m [above average] |
| Approach angle: | 14.6° |
| Departure angle: | 12.4° |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the front wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Front wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 6 |
| Transmission type | Manual |
| Front brakes | Ventilated discs [Best for performance and cooling.] |
| Rear brakes | Disc [above average] |
| Assisting systems | ABS (Anti-lock braking system) |
| Steering type | Steering rack and pinion |
| Power steering | Electric Steering |
| Tires size | 205/55 R16 |
| Wheel rims size | 6.5J x 16 |
| Front suspension | Coil spring, Wishbone, Transverse stabilizer |
| Rear suspension | Independent multi-link suspension, Transverse stabilizer |
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