2006 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan 2.5L

Pros

Great road handling, sporty feel, roomy trunk

Cons

Costly oil change, rear visibility POOR, inside trim fits POORLY, start-up very NOISEY

The GOOD: good gas mileage for engine size, smooth trans, easily read dash, good road handling, great brakes, wonderful trunk, good warranty length.
THE BAD: interior trim fits very POORLY; excessive noisey rattle in exhaust system and high engine revs for 30 sec upon start-up; dealer service inadequate - ECU replaced and reprogrammed many times - been back 8 times; rear visibility badly obscured by head rests and body design; head rests design poor for shorter people; doors out of alignment; DASH BOARD RATTLES; radio tuning weak; windshield wiper automation awkward; too many bells that can't be turned off - not a pleasant driving experience....read morehide

Pros

Styling, many ammenities, top speed, and acc for engine

Cons

Pwr outlets cannot be used w/o key in ignit. awkward seat adjustment, remote trunk sticks, door jams

continuing with the CONS...I had the driver side door jam fill with ice/snow and bent about an inch- 1 1/2 inches of the lower door metal back. Apparantly the ice was stronger than the metal. There's a lot of road noise while driving, though it's easily tuned out with the radio. After driving through snow w. factory tires the car now vibrates and shakes when accelerating over 40mph most likely indicating that the tires need to be balanced. I'm hoping that it's just a counter wieght that fell off in the snow.
Not being able to charge my phone unless I leave my key in the ignition and turn it forward once into the accessory pos. is very annoying and has caused my battery to die a couple times, due to the increased pwr drain and not turning it off in time. Cell phones draw a minimal amount of pwr from outlets and can be otherwised charged for a couple days strght w.o significantly draining a battery, so I don't understand the logic behind the pwr outelets.
The 2 cupholders in the front are placed poorly. The armrest covers them if extended, phone charger covers one of them when plugged into outlet behind it, and they are not adjustable. If they copied the design of the rear cupholders for the front seat then it would've worked out great.
For whatever reason the passenger seat reclines by using a dial, just like the manual lumbar support but bigger. This is a royal pain! they should've just used a regular lever that you pull up and then push the seat back to the desired position. Much quicker and easier on the wrists. Thankfully the controls for my trim level and the driver side are pwr and only my passengers have to deal with it. I wouldv'e paid the x-tra money to have pwr everything if I anticipated this prob. The interior air circulation light shuts off after about the same time the rear defroster button does. I should have the option of keeping both of these on while the car is running. especially the button to keep outside air outside.
Theres been a slight vibration in the floorboard since I bought it new. I think it might just be due to lack of insulation
The auto trunk release worked great for the first couple months, then began to open slowly, then stick, and nowo need to be lifted by hand. It uses hydraulics to lift the turnk and not a motor so I'm guessing that having manually is a result from the colder weather.
The seat belt reminder should be able to be shut off after the first min or so. Its very annoying. I should also have the opion of turning of the day time running lights. I can only imagine how frustrated someone would be if they have an alternator die on one of these cars and are hoping to make it home or to a garage before the car dies all the while knowing that they are wasting battery pwr on headlights during the daytime. The only way i know of to trn them off while the car is running is to pull the E-brake. (thanks for keeping me safe big brother)

The PROS

I love how it looks, the interior and exterior.

handels very well, great acceleration for eng type, top speed around 132 w.o any problem, shaking etc. electronic steering does great at high speeds.

many great features...one touch pwr windows doors, mirrors, seats, etc huge trunk, 3 pwr outlets, feels solid, very safe, starts in cold w.o problem, so far no elect, eng issues...read morehide

Pros

FUN CAR

Cons

volume changes on surround sound

I LOVE IT!!!!!

bought this car in november it is great. The TURNS ARE INCREDIble, in most cars when you make sharp turns at high speed you feel like you are goin to flip, in the car u feel stable. Great Acceleration, Comfortable, PERFECT car for people who love to drive.

ROOMY

And PLENTY of Trunk room...read morehide

Pros

Handling, braking, cornering, available options, key fobs, interior quality, trip computer.

Cons

Seat belt warning noise, gas mileage, cost of maintenance.

Purchased a new 2005.5 2.5L w/ package 2 in October. Hopefully this review will help others who are looking to purchase soon. I had initial concerns about the Jetta's reliability as reported by Consumer Reports, but I read enough online reviews and spoke to several VW owners and felt safe to give VW a try. Personally, I was between the new Toyota Camry, the Mazda3, and the VW Jetta. Ultimately, the ride and handling of the Jetta is what sold me on this car.
Gas mileage, as several reviews state, is not great. But it's not any less than advertised. I drive in heavy traffic to and from work daily, and average 24-25 mpg. On longer roadtrips I have averaged as high as 31 mpg, which I consider sufficient. The dealer told me Volkswagen engines take about 10,000 miles to break in so I should gain a few mpg's once I pass that mark. One wish: a bigger fuel tank. 14 gallons is standard, but the please refuel warning light comes on with just under 2 gallons remaining. The exterior looks of the car are pleasing, but the interior is second to none. Simple yet solid controls and top notch materials make you feel you are in a luxury car. The Jetta corners brilliantly, I've tried to force the tires to squel and have yet to be successful. Braking is solid and turn radius is above average. The transmission shifts very smoothly, though at very low speeds - to improve fuel efficiency. Available tiptronic manual and sport shift mode allow driver to customize driving style. Acceleration is above average, especially compared to a 4 cylinder, and I have no difficulties at all merging or on the freeways. Can't stress how great handling is.

A few negatives I've noticed: Low fuel warning (above), seatbelt warning cannot be shut off, noticable wind noise above rear passenger window, and 6 disk CD changer doesn't have pause or stop buttons. Overall this is a great car and I would recommend to anyone looking for a solid average priced car. The 4 year/50,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty provides peace of mind for my biggest concern: reliability. So far, no problems just enjoyable commutes!...read morehide

Pros

Great gas mileage, quiet ride, very safe, alot of car for the money, looks like a luxury car w/out t

Cons

None

Great trunk space, many nice features and options w/out paying extra for the car.

Pros

Lots of car and fun 4 the money. German engineering. Great pick up and go. Leather pkg. heated seats

Cons

Front wheel drive. More gas than expected but it's too fun too drive slow.. I have 2.5L.

There is a lot of noise when windows are dwon. I can't just open one, I have to open one more to balance out the pressure in cabin, which can be annoying. My seat memory has not worked sice I bought it. It is a lot of fun to drive and handles like a German car. I had a Diesel Mercedes before.The leather pkg gives lot's of luxury just enough without being pretentious. Comes with a lot of perks stock. Nice sound system and rims standard on leather pkg. I recommend buying online I saved thousands and the dealer I originally started with lied about the rebate program offered last winter so I went somewhere else. Love the power everything but should have kept the power on passenger side like in '05 it is an incomvenience if you have lots of occupants in that seat. LOve the ability to put all hte windows up or down with key. Love the remote trunk opener! As a mom...Oh and teh coolest is the hanger for grocery bags in the trunk..this is indespensible if you like not having your groceriies all over the trunk. Easy to clean. Has plug ins all over for my cell phone to plug in. Haven't used the cooled armrest or is it the glove compartment? There are so many goodies I still haven't used them all I am sure.compartment yet..but cool to know its there..I am also asked to loan my car because it has an enormous trunk I moved my stuff from my storage with it and people would say are you really going to get that in there and I was like..Yep and smiled hehhe..We love it!!! Wish they would have kept the woo dtrim option and the rear auto sun shade, These are things you find in Mercedes..and I have always driven them ..and have been very happy with our little Jetta..I highly recommend it!!! And wish California would lift the need to have 7,500 miles on a Diesel to buy it here..I want a diesel Jetta or hybrid next...thne it well..almost perfect..:-)!!!...read morehide

Pros

Excellent fuel economy, smooth ride, definitely a safe car!

My son and i were hit in a 2005 Jetta. All airbags exploded and the car was totaled. Both my son and I walked away without a scratch, therefore, it is what inspired me to get another Jetta only a 2006 and i'm very pleased with my purchase.

Pros

MPG, Looks, 6 speed automatic w/manual option

Cons

Arm rest interfers w/cup holders! lol

Owned a 2003 VW Jetta Wagon and liked the ride and handling. Looked at the 2006 for improved room (It is noticable!) Wife loves the handling, I love the look, feel, and darn near everything about it!

Pros

Comfortable, alot of features, its very luxurious. You must at least test drive this car.

Cons

Wish it came with a standard Steering cover

This car is Audi A4, its very luxurious i really like this car, I would recomment that you at least test drive this car.

Pros

air bags,20miles to the gal,looks nice , drives great,

Cons

sunroofs causes airpockets in car with windows up

i love my new red jetta,drives and runs great,
its fun and the 21 years twins love it