2011 Volkswagen Jetta: First Drive

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The Jetta has a clear edge over its competitors in terms of backseat space. When sitting in the back of the Civic, Corolla or Nissan Sentra, my knees generally touch the back of the front seat or are pressed into it. I’m 6-foot-1, and in the Jetta I had an inch or two of space between my knees and the front seats, with the front seat positioned where I’d drive.

Volkswagen says price is a reason why consumers avoid its cars. While the automaker has attempted to address that with the new lower-cost base Jetta, in doing so it has created a range of cars that are less likely to appeal to VW’s core enthusiast buyers who appreciate the combination of upscale finishes and driving fun that the automaker’s cars have offered. For a brand like VW, which can’t hang its hat on a history of reliability the way Honda and Toyota can, that’s a risky move but one the company seems willing to take.