2010 Jetta V 125TDI, 147TSI, 77TDI First Drive Review
TOYOTA HAS A PROBLEM. It is called Volkswagen. And it’s breathing hard down Toyota’s neck for the global number one spot for car manufacturers.
Interestingly, where Toyota ‘zigged’ ten or so years back, choosing to put its technological eggs in the Prius basket, Volkswagen ‘zagged’.
Volkswagen’s answer to the challenges of a ‘green future’ was to set about producing engines and drivetrains – right across its model range – of astonishing efficiency. And it has done this without sacrificing power and driver enjoyment.
It’s not alone; other manufacturers are on the same path. But Volkswagen, with models and price ranges straddling nearly every sector, is the stand-out.
Its high-tech free-spinning diesels and zesty small capacity turbo/supercharged petrol engines (coupled with F1-style DSG transmissions priced for the common man), challenge Toyota’s Prius for fuel efficiency, and murder it for driver dynamics.
That’s not to say the Prius isn’t brilliant, it is; Toyota (and Honda with its first Insight) showed the world that hybrid drive was a viable powertrain alternative.
But where Toyota has overlooked, or down-played, driver engagement (where are its ‘fun to drive and own’ models?), every model in the VW range comes with personality as standard. Driving should be fun. Volkswagen hasn’t forgotten it.
The market would seem to be responding. This year, 2009, an ascendant Volkswagen Group has been closing fast on a becalmed Toyota in global vehicle production.
The 2010 Jetta V update is now in showrooms. Featuring a new line-up of petrol and diesel engine options, the new Jetta typifies Volkswagen’s direction in producing cars that engage the driver but sip fuel like its poison.
Each, even the base model 77kWTDI, is an enjoyable steer. None we sampled could be accused of being “just transport”.
And each, as a medium sector alternative, is sharply priced.
The range
The range starts with the $28,990 (plus on-roads) 1.6 litre 77TDI diesel (launched with the Golf VI in August), producing 77kW and 250Nm of torque and achieving a fuel consumption figure of 4.9 l/100km.
The 77TDI is available with a choice of five-speed manual transmission, or the new seven-speed DSG.
Next in the diesel range, at $35,990, is the previously available 2.0 litre 103TDI. A carry-over from the 2009 Jetta range, the 103TDI uses 6.0 litres of fuel per 100km while producing 103kW and 320Nm of torque.
The 103TDI is available only with a six-speed DSG transmission.
The third diesel engine on offer is found in the 125TDI Highline. While new for the Jetta, this is the familiar 2.0 litre 125TDI lifted from the Passat. It is a rorty unit, producing 125kW and 350Nm of torque while achieving fuel economy figures of 5.9 l/100km.
It is also nicely balanced thanks to its four-valve design and twin compensator shafts. At $38,990 (plus on roads), the Jetta 125TDI Highline shares top-of-the-range billing with the 147TSI.
Volkswagen claims the 125TDI will reach 100km/h in 8.5 seconds with the six-speed DSG - the only transmission offered with the 2.0 litre 125TDI engine. It feels exceptionally strong and is instantly responsive; we have no reason to doubt those performance numbers.
Priced to align with the 125TDI Highline is the 2.0 litre petrol-engined 147TSI Highline. Developing 147kW and 280Nm of torque, even the performance-oriented TSI returns fuel consumption figures of 7.8 litres per 100km.
2009 Skoda Superb V6 3.6 FSI Elegance 4x4 
2009 Holden Cruze CDX
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I’d rather wait for the Golf wagon.
I’d rather have a Skoda Octavia…I can get a manual 2.0TDI with that! As well as a bigger boot, more space, dual-zone climate-control, front foglights etc etc (I’m comparing the Octavia2.0TDI with Jetta 103TDI). both good cars, but the Octavia edges ahead a tiny bit!
Nice car, quite a looker too, but interior is seriously outdated.
VW the people’s car…
Prius the treehuggers that can’t read’s car
One thing that assures me in a VW.. is it doesn’t make me fall asleep at the wheel like a Camry has once
Problem is that they are not reliable like Toyota’s.
Being a technitian in the industry these vw’s have a long way to go in the reliability stakes. Parts are also very expensive.
I have always been a Toyota man. I have sworn by their relaibilty, resale value and cost of running. When my sister was looking for a car she made me go along to VW and test drive the Golf 2.0TDi DSG. I have to admit it driveslike a dream. She purchased it and has had it for over a year. Great to drive and great on fuel. BUT!!! Her servicing costs are unbelivable. $650 for a standard 10,000Km service??? and even more for her second service?
How much does it cost for a oil and filter change? A corolla would be costing her $130 per service for the first 3 years.
@Raffi
Sweet mother of god, $650 for a 10k service?
Are you being serious?
Its just a oil and filter change, takes about 45 minutes, just do it yourself. you undo a bolt to drain the oil and the filter on all the VW diesels are all cartridge filters, hell easy to change out.
It’s pretty awesome that VW are finally going to offer the 125TDi in the Jetta, pity that its only going to come in DSG
Dank54 Toyota had bad products just like Mitsubishi who was hiding it for 20 year! As for parts if cost 30-50% more I do not care if never brakes down.
I really dont understand what was the point of bringing Skoda to Australia. i did a quick search on Discountnewcars and the Skoda VRS manual is $39990 driveway and the VW Jetta 147TSI with DSG is $39990 driveway. the Jetta offers DSG for the same price and when it comes to re-sale VW will trounce Skoda.
how skoda can survive i dont know, time will tell…. but VW Jetta specially the MY10 model is looking like a better choice.
Ratti you are incorrect. There is no 10,000 km service for the Golf. Service is at every 15,000km. Toyota got it at every 10,000 km so with Toyota you got 12 service till 120000km and VW 8. I just called VW and the first service cost is $390
I bought the Jetta,and am thrilled with my purchase.
Considered the Octavia,but no presence…noebody knows what it is,and my local dealership has allready closed down.
Looked at the Corolla Ultima,but the feel of the Jetta is far superior.
Had my 15000 km service done at a main Melbourne dealership recently for 390…
Bruster,
The Octavia RS is offered to a different market to the Jetta 2.0TSI. The Jetta 2.0TSI is the top of the tree Jetta, a luxury model if you like. The Octavia RS is the sports model of the Octavia (like Ford Mondeo XR5T) range, and comes with the bigger brakes, sports suspension, 18-inch wheels as well as the engine package, whereas the bigger wheels, leather, touch-screen Bolero radio are (standard equipment on the RS) optional on the Jetta (even at the top of the line). Worst still, you can’t even get a manual transmission, how pathetic is that? Skoda resale has gone up to VW levels too by the way…according to Red Book, who are the people who set resale levels for vehicles.
Anthony,
How does a Jetta have presence? Its just an Octavia with different windows, styling and the sedan boot. And, I might add the Octavia was launched before the Jetta and the NVH levels Skoda applied were put into the Jetta, such was VW’s impression of Skoda. I was suprised at that!
Ritchie,I am not knocking the Skoda,as it is a first cousin of my car.however,by presence I mean what I see on the roads.
Locally,VW have sold 12000 Jettas,so I see lots of them everyday in Melbourne…
Hardly ever see a Skoda.
I travel to the USA,Canada,Mexico and South Africa for business,see millions of Jettas,but no Octavias.
For me,the VW is a far better choice…