Volkswagen Jetta reviews

2001 Volkswagen Jetta Interior Features

Slide behind the steering wheel of the Volkswagen Jetta and the German reputation for quality and attention to detail is immediately evident. With the current-generation VWs, the brand has taken a quantum leap forward in interior quality. Materials are first rate, switchgear functions with satisfying heft, and doors close with a solid "ca-chunk." Especially in the leather-trimmed GLX, you are forgiven if you feel like you are sitting in a $30,000 car, not one that costs under $25,000.

The Jetta provides excellent accommodations for driver and passengers without becoming ostentatious. There is plenty of room in front for a driver that is well over six feet tall, even when equipped with the power glass sunroof that comes standard on the GLX. The front bucket seats are built firm in the European tradition. Some people may prefer more cushion, while others (like us) find them supportive and quite comfortable. In the Volkswagen tradition, the knob for reclining the seat back is awkward to reach and difficult to operate. Another handle operates like a jack to raise or lower the driver.

Rear seat room is at a premium if driver and passenger position their seats to the rearmost location. We moved the seats slightly forward to accommodate a full load of passengers while retaining a relatively comfortable position for a tall driver. Three shoulder harnesses and three headrests are installed in the rear for safety. Also, the rear seat features 60/40 fold-down capability as well as a pass-through feature for skis, fly rods and other longer objects. The chassis and rear suspension were also designed to provide more trunk space.

In Teutonic fashion, the controls, switches and instruments are easy to see and operate. Indigo (dark blue) and red lighting is used for the instruments to maximize night vision. The shade of blue that illuminates the instrument panel makes the numerals easy to read and the stark contrast of the red pointers make them stand out as if floating in thin air.

The leather-wrapped, three-spoke steering wheel on our GLX feels good and is in keeping with the sporty intent of the Jetta. A new radio adds manual tuning to the scanning feature, making it possible to receive weaker signals.

The Monsoon sound system (standard on the GLX) features a 200-watt amplifier and custom equalization that directs low, mid and high frequencies to the appropriate speakers. Volkswagen offers both an in-dash CD player as well as a six-disc CD changer mounted in the trunk as options, and the Jetta can be equipped with both. An eight-speaker AM/FM/cassette stereo comes standard.

Two big interior improvements for 2001 are the standard Side Guard airbag system, which discharges curtains to cover the window area and A-pillar in a side-impact, and an optional multifunction steering wheel that incorporates controls for the radio and cruise control.