2012 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen Overview Change Vehicle

This 2012 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2012 Jetta SportWagen, and includes VW Jetta SportWagen safety, reliability, and fuel economy ratings.

The Jetta SportWagen is different than the Jetta Sedan. It rides on a more sophisticated suspension, it comes with better standard brakes, and it’s equipped with a higher quality interior. In fact, the front styling and dashboard are shared with the Golf hatchback, making if more of a Golf station wagon than a Jetta station wagon.

Revised option packaging adopts Volkswagen’s odd new model naming scheme, which adds the major contents of the option package into the trim level designation. The 2.5 SE with Sunroof, the 2.0 TDI Clean Diesel with Sunroof, and the 2.0 TDI Clean Diesel with Sunroof and Navigation are the new models.

With the trim-level repackaging effort for 2012, there are six different Jetta SportWagen models from which to choose. Starting things off for around $20,000, there’s the 2.5 S model, which comes with air conditioning, power windows with automatic up/down operation, six-way power heated front seats, power heated mirrors, heated washer nozzles, cruise control, tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, and a trip computer. This model also includes Bluetooth, an eight-speaker stereo with a CD/MP3 player, and an auxiliary audio input jack. The 2.5 S model is identified by its 16-inch steel wheels with plastic wheel covers, cloth seats, and lack of chrome trim on the outside.

The 2.5 SE rectifies the base model’s dowdy exterior treatment with 16-inch alloy wheels and chrome exterior trim. Inside, the 2.5 SE gets leatherette upholstery, a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, and an upgraded sound system with a CD changer, HD Radio, satellite radio, and an iPod connection. Move up to the 2.5 SE with Sunroof, and you’ll get a power panoramic sunroof and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Equipment levels for the turbo-diesel model basically mirror the regular gas models. The 2.0 TDI Clean Diesel adds a 115-volt power outlet to the 2.5 SE’s equipment roster. The 2.0 TDI Clean Diesel with Sunroof gets 17-inch alloy wheels and a power panoramic sunroof. The 2.0 TDI Clean Diesel with Sunroof and Navigation includes all of this stuff plus a navigation system and keyless access with push-button start.

Two different engines are offered in the 2012 VW Jetta SportWagen. The less expensive 2.5 S and 2.5 SE models get a 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder engine good for 170 horsepower. It is bolted to a six-speed manual transmission, but most people prefer the optional six-speed Tiptronic automatic. Fuel economy ratings are 23 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway with the manual gearbox, and 24-city/31-highway with the Tiptronic automatic.

For greater fuel economy, get one of the 2.0 TDI Clean Diesel models. These are equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder diesel engine that makes 140 horsepower and a healthy punch of 236 lb-ft of torque between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm. Volkswagen includes its six-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) automated manual transmission as standard (it operates just like an automatic transmission to the driver), but makes a traditional six-speed manual available to folks who want the best possible fuel economy. With the stick shift, the TDI Clean Diesel is good for 30 mpg in the city and 42 mpg on the highway, with a total potential range greater than 600 miles, according to Volkswagen. With the DSG, fuel economy ratings drop to 29 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway.

All 2012 Volkswagens come standard with the company’s Carefree Maintenance Program, which means that all scheduled services for the first three years or 36,000 miles of ownership are on the house.

Volkswagen includes a fairly standard set of safety features on every 2012 Jetta SportWagen. Six airbags, traction and stability control, and four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution are included in the base price. Volkswagen also installs its Intelligent Crash Response system, which automatically cuts fuel to the engine, activates hazards, and unlocks the doors in certain types of collisions.

In the event that you are involved in an accident, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) called the virtually identical 2011 Jetta SportWagen a Top Safety Pick. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not performed crash tests on the Jetta SportWagen, however, the NHTSA does give the vehicle a 4-Star rollover resistance rating.

Reliability predictions from Consumer Reports are average for the TDI Clean Diesel models and better than average for the Jetta SportWagen 2.5 S and 2.5 SE. J.D. Power and Associates had not assigned a reliability prediction to this model as this review was originally written, but in 2011 the market research firm expected the Jetta SportWagen to return average levels of dependability over time.

You might think that the Jetta SportWagen is simply a station wagon version of the Jetta Sedan, but the cars are distinctly different. Last year, the Jetta Sedan was completely redesigned, and cheapened in the process. Meanwhile, the Jetta SportWagen continued on the previous-generation Jetta platform, adopting the front styling and higher quality interior fittings of the VW Golf. Furthermore, the Jetta SportWagen’s braking and suspension systems are more sophisticated than those of the Jetta Sedan.

Not only is this the better driving and higher quality version of the Jetta, the SportWagen can swallow up to 32.8 cubic-feet of stuff behind its rear seat. Volkswagen points out that there’s an underfloor storage well sized for briefcases, computer bags, or even family-sized pizza boxes. Fold the seats down, and this mighty little wagon can handle 66.9 cu-ft of cargo.

Because the SportWagen features a higher quality interior, more sophisticated underpinnings, and a more refined driving experience, Vehix thinks this is the Jetta to getta.

By Christian Wardlaw