Overview & Reviews

Because of the massive popularity of compact SUVs, few automakers bother offering a compact wagon these days. But Volkswagen has one exception with its popular Jetta Sportwagen. Just like the Jetta sedan, the Sportwagen offers classy European design, an upscale cabin and a sophisticated ride quality. And being a wagon, this Volkswagen can carry plenty of stuff. With about 67 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity, the Sportwagen is even roomier in that respect than some bulkier compact crossovers. Beyond all those perks, the Jetta Sportwagen also offers the availability of fuel-sipping diesel power, resulting in real-world fuel economy approaching 40 mpg.

Note that with the following generation of this car, Volkswagen technically retired the Jetta Sportwagen nameplate and replaced it with the new Golf Sportwagen. But the Jetta Sportwagen has long been one of our favorite cars through the years -- wagon or not -- and we certainly recommend it as a used-car choice.

Used Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen Models
The Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen was produced for the 2009-'14 model years and was commonly available in S, SE and TDI trim levels. The S and SE models were powered by a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder. A five-speed manual was standard with this engine, while a six-speed automatic was optional.

The Jetta TDI featured a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine that produced 140 hp and a healthy 236 pound-feet of torque. A choice of a six-speed manual or VW's DSG dual-clutch automated manual were offered for the TDI. The Sportwagen TDI earned an impressive EPA estimated 34 mpg for combined driving, and in real-world driving often yielded even higher numbers. Unless you're completely adverse to diesel, we recommend getting this engine over the gasoline five-cylinder.

The Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen set itself apart from comparable domestic and Japanese wagons or crossovers by offering a distinctly European interior and feel to the driving experience. Not only did this Jetta provide better handling, but its cargo space was generally on par or better.

Note that for the Jetta Sportwagen's debut year of 2009, it was most closely related to that year's Jetta sedan. For 2010, the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen received many of the same changes carried out that year to the Golf. The Sportwagen's body shape, interior volume and powertrains were essentially carried over, but VW improved the interior, retuned the suspension and made minor exterior styling changes.

For 2009 only, VW offered an SEL trim that featured a variety of luxury items like a fully powered driver seat with lumbar adjustment and memory functions, dual-zone automatic climate control and upgraded speakers. It also came with a 200-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder from the GTI and could be had with a manual transmission or the DSG. If you want the most sport from your Sportwagen, try to find one of these rare '09 SEL models.

The fourth-generation Volkswagen Jetta was available in a wagon body style from 2001-'05, though it wasn't known by the Sportwagen moniker. It was an entertaining car to drive and had top-notch materials quality and ample safety features. Scant rear-seat legroom was its major shortcoming.

As the base 2.0-liter engine offered weak acceleration and mediocre fuel economy, we recommend getting a fourth-generation Jetta with the turbocharged 1.8T four-cylinder introduced to the wagon for 2002 that produced 180 hp. The diesel-powered Jetta TDI was also offered in all but the first model year and provided mileage in the 40s. The 1.9-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder initially produced 90 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque and was upgraded to 100 hp and 177 lb-ft for 2004.

User Reviews:

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  Fuel injector #5 replacements and counting - 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By lsap - October 28 - 2:29 am

  All started in the winter at about 58k. Bought care used with 34k. Got it for the gas milage as i drive 100 miles highway/ day. Check engine light came on, took it i , vw said had to replace fuel injector. Less than a month later, was in for 2nd fuel injector replacement. Vw didnt think anything abnormal about 2 going bad. Less that a month later car back in twice because of ANOTHER FUEL INJECTOR, and the key ignition switch (locks click on and off when car pulls to a stop). 2 weeks ago, check engine late on AGaIN, VW international said they sent the dealer a faulty one, and they are replacing on that was already replaced 2 months ago. Guess what happened today, after only driving 600 miles.

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  2011 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI - 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By yangk - October 5 - 6:02 am

  Bought vehicle brand new with 5 mi on the odometer. 1st month owning it, there were paint blemishes on the vehicle so that was taken cared of by the dealership with heat treatment. Vehicle just has over 9,000 miles, its been in the shop 3 times for acceleration problems. The vehicle stutters, hesitates, on acceleration and when it does this, there is a harsh shift to the next gear. VW Dealership has not been able to replicate problem. I always get my diesel fuel from Kwik Trip or Shell depending on my travel routes. VW Dealership has also did a software update since I purchased the vehicle too. So far I have been somewhat disappointed in the TDI for the acceleration problem - VW has no fix

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  STAY AWAY - 2012 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By - March 9 - 1:37 pm

  I purchased this vehicle about a month ago. Automatic Transmission. I commute 50 miles to work each way daily. I traded in a reliable and loved subaru for the TDI for fuel economy. BIG MISTAKE. It drives terribly. From the second day of ownership the car bucks terribly the first few miles of driving if it has sat for longer than a 4 hour period of time. Dealership says this is normal. Whiplash is not normal in a brand new car. Also, the fan stays on for extended periods of time after driving. Also told this was normal. Cooling is fine, but an hour for the fan to stay on? I dont buy it. My relationship with VW isnt off to a good start. I have a feeling I will be returning to Subaru, and soon!

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  Steer away - 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By Tom - December 21 - 8:51 pm

  The electronics are designed to where you have to take it to the dealer for check light resets, the radios go out and are expensive to replace. I bought mine with 80,000 miles, the check engine light came on everytime I started it. The reset only lasted 2 weeks. I took it to the dealer, he told me they have the only computer that will reset it. He was right. If vw offers to buy it back, Ill sell it back and never buy another.