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2008 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan Review

May 29, 2008

STYLING | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Great interiors and handsome exteriors
Autoblog

Nothing very special to look at
The Auto Channel

Dull exterior styling
Edmunds

TheCarConnection.com researched reviews from around the Web, and found that other reviewers agree that the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta has a generic exterior style.

A redesign left the Volkswagen Jetta without its trademark angular style and with a “tame exterior,” Edmunds says. It laments the Jetta’s “dull exterior styling” that “contradicts the nameplate’s youthful image.” This opinion is seconded by The Auto Channel, which feels that the 2008 Jetta is “nothing very special to look at, particularly in [its] soft gray color.” Intellichoice echoes the sentiment: “Gone is the Teutonic styling, once elegant in its stark, purposeful appearance, replaced by a more staid, Japanese-influenced design.” It’s an “overgrown Toyota Corolla dressed in papa Passat's clothes,” they conclude. CNet had the opposite sentiment: “Gone are the boxy corners and the rectangular lights. VW has replaced them with more refined, curvaceous bodywork and lights that feature circles and ellipses.” Automedia liked it as well, calling it “crisp and handsome, with its sculpted wedge profile, strong upper and lower character lines and contemporary taillamps.”

“Unfortunately, the interior doesn't live up to the expectations generated by the exterior styling,” CNet continues. Edmunds, though, refers to its “elegant trim,” and Automedia thought “The roomier new interior is attractively designed and beautifully assembled from premium materials throughout.” Autoblog notices touches like the child-safety anchors in the backseat, where “even their rear LATCH point got prettied-up by one of the company’s designers with a brushed-steel look.”

TheCarConnection.com has criticized the current Volkswagen Jetta for its Corolla-like lines, which have given up on the car’s crisply European heritage. The interior, though, is precisely Volkswagen, with sophisticated looks and feel, switches that work smoothly, and grab handles that are well damped.

Conclusion

The 2008 Volkswagen Jetta might be generic outside, but inside it’s a well-drawn, well-fitted place.

STYLING | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:Great interiors and handsome exteriorsAutoblogNothing very special to look atThe Auto ChannelDull exterior stylingEdmunds TheCarConnection.com researched reviews from around the Web, and found that other reviewers agree that the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta has a generic exterior style. A redesign left the Volkswagen Jetta without its trademark angular style and with a “tame exterior,” Edmunds says. It laments the Jetta’s “dull exterior styling” that “contradicts the nameplate’s youthful image.” This opinion is seconded by The Auto Channel, which feels that the 2008 Jetta is “nothing very special to look at, particularly in [its] soft gray color.” Intellichoice echoes the sentiment: “Gone is the Teutonic styling, once elegant in its stark, purposeful appearance, replaced by a more staid, Japanese-influenced design.” It’s an “overgrown Toyota Corolla dressed in papa Passat's clothes,” they conclude. CNet had the opposite sentiment: “Gone are the boxy corners and the rectangular lights. VW has replaced them with more refined, curvaceous bodywork and lights that feature circles and ellipses.” Automedia liked it as well, calling it “crisp and handsome, with its sculpted wedge profile, strong upper and lower character lines and contemporary taillamps.” “Unfortunately, the interior doesn't live up to the expectations generated by the exterior styling,” CNet continues. Edmunds, though, refers to its “elegant trim,” and Automedia thought “The roomier new interior is attractively designed and beautifully assembled from premium materials throughout.” Autoblog notices touches like the child-safety anchors in the backseat, where “even their rear LATCH point got prettied-up by one of the company’s designers with a brushed-steel look.” TheCarConnection.com has criticized the current Volkswagen Jetta for its Corolla-like lines, which have given up on the car’s crisply European heritage. The interior, though, is precisely Volkswagen, with sophisticated looks and feel, switches that work smoothly, and grab handles that are well damped. ConclusionThe 2008 Volkswagen Jetta might be generic outside, but inside it’s a well-drawn, well-fitted place.  2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA STYLING | [7 out of 10] Autoblog: “Great interiors and handsome exteriors” The Auto Channel: “Nothing very special to look at” Edmunds: “Dull exterior styling” TheCarConnection.com researched reviews from around the Web, and found that other reviewers agree ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2008 Volkswagen Jetta bridges the size gap among compact sedans. The Honda Civic is a close competitor, but it’s not as handsome as the Jetta. It does offer a coupe body style, a hybrid version, and a natural-gas drivetrain, as well as a better reputation for reliability. The Ford Fusion has a nicely creased style, available all-wheel drive, and a big V-6 engine. It shares some running gear with the Mazda6, which gets a rounded new style for 2009, as well as a more refined interior.

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See the Volkswagen Jetta Sedan in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002

Comments (1 total)

  1. By Janine #1, Posted: 9/10/2008

    I'm excited for the new Jetta models!

    I have a 2000 Jetta and I love the 2008 model. I can't wait to trade mine in...VWs have always been a reliable source of transportation for me and I feel safe and cute at the same time!

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