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:

• 

  The best car ever? - 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By nonickel - November 16 - 10:00 am

  I now have 11K miles and just been through my free 10K service. I love this car. Long distances are no problem. Seats are supportive, and it can cruise at 80+ mph all day and still get close to 40mpg. With cruise set at 65 I have gotten 48mpg over a 150 mile trip. The TDI has plenty of power for passing, yet turbo lags a little off the line. My DSG has been perfect so far. Sport mode is great for around town (eliminates alot of lag). Handeling is also excellent with a great steering feel. Get the 17" rims, they are worth it. Feels as solid as my old MB. Also a great value. You cant tell its a diesel little noise and no smoke. This could be the best car ever made. No Joke!

• 

  Love it....so far - 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By runnerguy45 - November 1 - 4:14 am

  Really like this car. 43,000 miles in ten months. I love this car but I do admit the fuel pump problem scares me, VW needs to put its buyers at ease by covering this issue. Knock on wood this car has been great. I averahe 44 mpg. 48 on highway.

• 

  First Impression: 1500 miles............. - 2013 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By ezshift5 - October 14 - 11:55 am

  2013 VW JSW TDI 6M - - - - White with Cornsilk interior. Lots of room. Sturdy VTEX (thats VW for leatherette) interior. Has a clutch, six speed manual shift transmission and the top three gears are overdrives................. Which permits some really impressive fuel numbers. (but the reader already knows this). Driving the car is easy from steering, braking and acceleration (236 lb/feet of torque 1750 - 2200 RPM) standpoints. Fold down the rear seats and there is the same cargo capacity as my 1982 VW diesel pickup!! Altho the electronic compass was delivered with a compass that read S when heading N, the very capable dealership in Californias capital provided a quick fix.

• 

  JSW 2.5L S - A great deal on a solid car. - 2013 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By interactive3 - September 29 - 2:27 pm

  I prefer a manual transmission so I had to get the base S model. (No sunroof, No chrome around the side windows) Previous car: Audi A4 Avant Quattro 1.8T. I had to give up AWD and auto climate control :( The Sportwagen build quality is not quite a clean, there is some sub par assembly of a few interior pieces. After 1 week Im very happy with the car. Brakes, engine, transmission and clutch/shifting are all strong points. The construction feels solid. Handling good. Suspension good. 4th and 5th gear are tall, lowering the RPMs. The 5 cylinder engine is smooth and up to the task. FYI - It feels like the car has a large flywheel. The engine is slow to rev and decelerate.

• 

  Nice Car - 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By pwagen - May 23 - 12:06 am

  I have had this car just over a month. I am really surprised at how much I like it. I am getting 42MPG per tank. I am not trying to save fuel and I dont baby the car. This includes commuting to work and several trips around town. I drive around 75 to 80 MPH avarage on the turnpike. I have the manual transmisson. The car really has some low end power going through the gears. The seats and interior are very compartable. I have received comments from everyone that has been in the car on the quality of the interior. I went to test drive the Golf TDI and saw this sitting next to it. This car is like mini mercedes! Go test drive this before you buy a Prius or other high MPG car!

• 

  Great Road Car - 2012 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By teaton1 - May 19 - 1:22 am

  Bought this new 9 months ago with plans on moving it to Central Europe. This is our highway car. Very comfortable and economical. Love the steering and 6 speed manual transmission. I am not a great diesel driver... I occasionally stall out in first gear. Not quite enough very low end torque. I stalled more so with an older Audi A6 than this VW. I love the brake assist on hills... comes standard even with the stick shift. The radio speakers are really bad. I would never have kept the Sirius radio anyway, but if I were a radio-phile this is not the radio to have. Our Honda Fit (for the city) has a great sound system for a little car. Overall this is an excellent buy.

• 

  Downsized and loving it - 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By happygardener - March 3 - 8:44 pm

  I was reluctant to trade in my highlander limited, but wanted something more economical that would still accommodate a family of 4. The sportwagen diesel fits the bill. Ive now driven 3000 miles and am very pleased. Averaging 38 mpg per tank, about 42 mostly highway and a little less with all 4 of us in the car. I havent changed driving style at all and still get great mileage. The car is zippy, surprisingly quick for highway entrances, and takes corners well. The storage room is exceptional, and my kids (7&9) fit just fine even with my 62 husband in the car. My only complaints are that the dash knobs are too small and the car sits a bit too low for a tow hitch for a bike rack.

• 

  2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sportswagen TDI - 2011 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By yangk - February 26 - 6:59 pm

  I only had my silver Sportswagen TDi for 2 1/2 wks. I noticed a milky spots around my paint. When I parked it in the garage and the shadow from the sun just beemed in just right. I contacted the dealership rightaway about it and their treatment for my paint problem on my BRAND NEW car is "heat" and "rubbing compound". I requested to talk to a VW Rep but apparently Reps dont talk to customers only the dealership will. The car only has 1300mi and I am ready to trade it in for a Subaru Outback or Toyota Venza due to the fact that the driver and rear driver door rattles over bumps and the paint job is horrible. If I can find this flaw at 1300 mi and ONLY in 2wks, what would it be in 3yr

• 

  Love my new Jetta Sportwagen - 2012 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By leftcoastwolf - January 23 - 9:23 am

  I just bought my second VW TDI Jetta. This car is larger and more refined than my 2003. The handling for the 2012 is first rate. The German engineering that went into this vehicle makes for a fantastic drivers car. The dealership has treated me well and answered all questions. This is the second car Ive purchased from this dealership.

• 

  Tdi Sportwagon - a REALLY good buy - 2014 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN
  By paulddb - January 12 - 12:49 am

  Now done 21,000 miles of mixed open road and LA rush-hour traffic, this has been more fun to drive than I could ever have expected. Free dealer services at 10 and 20k, I decided to have additional oil changes at 5k intervals. The high torque makes top gear acceleration fun. People complain of sluggish 1st gear starts - like pulling away from a light or making a left turn across traffic. This can be partly avoided by switching briefly to S-mode, which completely changes the character of the car, but takes its toll in fuel consumption. Mixed driving gives me an overall 39 mpg: some days commuting across LA from the San Fernando Valley to Venice I get 53 mpg.