2012 VW Jetta Sportwagen

Though the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta gets panned for its cheap-feeling interior, the 2012 Jetta Sportwagen wins praise for a cabin that’s upscale and practical. For the 2011 model year, Volkswagen changed the Jetta sedan to make it more affordable. The result was a cabin that was larger, but also felt cheaper. However, VW left the Jetta Sportwagen alone – a move most car reviewers praise. “Jetta sedan and wagon parted company for the 2011 model year, and we prefer the ‘old-school’ Volkswagen feel of this car to the enlarged and somewhat cheapened sedan,” says Consumer Guide. “It’s also roomy, comes with many laudable safety features, and boasts a high-quality interior.”

Reviewers like the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen for its refined and roomy interior, but they love for its sporty, German-tuned performance. The Sportwagen isn’t some impractical hot hatch, however. It has more cargo space than the GMC Terrain and Chevrolet Equinox small SUVS do. Also, standard leatherette upholstery on all but the base model may seem like a luxury touch, but reviewers say it makes clean-up easy when compared with wagons with cloth seats. Most test drivers also love the op- optional diesel engine, which gets great highway fuel economy. All in all, reviewers agree that if you want an upscale, practical and engaging wagon, the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen needs to be on your shopping list.

The 2012 Jetta Sportwagen is available in three trims: S, SE and TDI. The TDI trimfeatures a 2.0-liter engine that runs on diesel fuel and has excellent fuel economy ratings. The S and SE trims have a 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine. An automatic transmission is optional on the S trim, but standard on the SE trim.

Reviewers say the performance of the 2012

Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen is a highlight. Even the base engine is peppy, and reviewers love the refined and efficient available diesel engine.

The exterior styling on the 2012 VW Jetta Sportwagen isn’t cutting-edge, but most reviewers agree with market watch: “You can see that VW gave the Jetta wagon some style and stayed away from the perfectly square box.”

Reviewers are thrilled that the Sportwagen hasn’t experienced an interior downgrade like the Jetta sedan. “The Jetta Sportwagen’s cabin is a strong selling point,” says Edmunds, “with high-grade, soft-touch materials and metallic trim trim that that betters that of the new Jetta sedan.”

Only the insurance industry has tested the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen, and gives it the top score of “Good” in front, side, rollover and rear crash tests. These scores, combined with the Sportwagen’s standard electronic stability control, make it a 2012 IIHS Top Safety Pick.

While the federal government has not fully tested the 2012 Sportwagen, it has given it a four-star (out of five) score for rollover risk.

Volkswagen covers the 2012 Jetta Sportwagen with a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty.