2007 Volkswagen Jetta

Before buying the 2007 Jetta, we looked at and test drove a fleet of other vehicles in the same price range. But after actually driving the Jetta we decided this was the car for us, hands down.

There are a LOT of cars in the $20k+ price range. And we drove most of them. The Jetta has some serious competition, and from some big time players like the Civic, the Camry, Mazda3, and Altima to name just a few. These are all great and very reliable cars. However, when we compared features and price, the Jetta was a clear winner.

We bought the 2007 Jetta Wolfsburg. For just over $21k, the list of standard features was long:

-Leatherette front seats
-Heated front seats and heated windshield washer nozzles
-Power sunroof with multiple open positions
-8 airbags
-16" alloy wheels with Continental tires
-6-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic
-CD/AM/FM with 8 speakers and Auxiliary jack
-Immobilizer theft deterrent system
-2.5l 150hp 5-cylinder engine
-Electronic Stabilization Program & Anti-slip Regulation
-Electronic Differential Lock
-Anti-lock brakes
-Tire pressure monitoring system
-Adjustable height and lumber for front seats
-Cruise control
-Front and rear reading lights
-Heated outside mirrors
-4 year/50k warranty & 5 yr/60k powertrain warranty
-4 years unlimited miles roadside assistance
-Power windows with Pinch Protection (they stop if they feel pressure)
-total price of $21,175

Plus there are lots of other cool features this car has that I didn't mention above, like an auto-lifting trunk, air-cooled glove box, and height adjustable center armrest.

When we compared the list of features compared to others in the price range, there wasn't even much of a decision to make. The Civic for the same money gives about the same engine size, but with a standard auto transmission, VERY basic cloth interior (with questionable styling, you love it or hate it), and in an odd twist for Honda, cheap-feeling door handles on the interior. In comparison, the Jetta is solid everywhere. The doors open and close with a solid sound, nothing flexes where it shouldn't, and everything feels and looks first class. A relative of mine owns a 2006 Audi A4, and this Jetta looks and feels almost identical to me.

Also, our local Honda dealer can't sell a car at sticker price, nevermind for less than that. EVERY Honda on the lot has the same dealer add-ons: Pinstripes, mudflaps (please), and a "paint protection package" for $500. The total add-ons are in the $750 range. Thanks for offering to wax my car for $500 but I'll pass. The Volkswagen dealership had no add-ons listed on any of their cars. They offer the same type of packages when you get to the finance office, but they don't force them on you, simply let you know they are offered.

Here is the list of vehicles we looked at and their price if you get them with some of the same options the Jetta came with standard:

Honda Civic - $22k (no avail leather)
Honda Accord - $25k
Toyota Camry - $25k
Mazda 3 - $23k
Saturn Aura - $24k (V6)
Hyundai Sonata - $24k (V6)
Nissan Altima - $25k

I'm out of room so I'll wrap this up. Long-term reliability is a question mark with this new Jetta, and Honda/Toyota are the clear choices in that category. But in Bang for the Buck, I'll take my chances with the Volkwagen Jetta. I recommend you give this car a chance before buying your next $20k vehicle.

I bought this car and i was very very impressed with the preformance of the car. THis car is great and i really recomend it because it is comfortable and drives good on the road and in snowy areas. This car comes with many great featurees that I am very impresed with. This car is well worth the money.