Used 2011 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen S Wagon Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen S Wagon.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Forget the sedan, try this first
emajor, Escalante, UT, 06/27/2011
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen S 4dr Wagon (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
This wagon is versatile and refined. We've carried furniture, huge Rubbermaids, not possible with a sedan. Tons of cargo room when you need it, drives just like the sedan when you don't.
Handling is responsive, the steering has a nice feel and heft to it, and the ride is comfortable without being too soft or sloppy.
Supportive seats, perfect driving position. Interior is way too nice … for a $20K car.
Strong 5 cylinder engine with lots of torque down low.
Gets 29-34 mpg highway.
Nice clutch and shifter.
Test drove the TDI, nice engine, but didn't feel it was worth the additional $5000.
13,000 miles and no problems yet.
As long as it stays reliable, I will have no regrets.
I will never buy another Volkswagen
mary jean byrne-maisto, Syracuse, NY, 02/17/2016
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen S 4dr Wagon (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
2/17/17: I sold the car to a volkswagen enthusiast shortly after posting this review. VW dealer offered a paltry buy back amount. I sold it for Edmund's suggested price. Since then I bought a Subaru because I live in snow country. I have to admit I miss having a peppy, manual transmission. But the VW was NOT good in snow, and I still find it exploitative that they willingly misled … the consumer.
I have owned the car since 2011. I bought it for the mpg and low emissions.
I had heard about the expense of maintaining a volkswagen because of high repair costs but bought it anyway. Within a year the door hinges started squeaking as if the car were 10 years old. After a year, I periodically notice a diesel fumes smell when I start the car. It comes and goes. When I asked the dealer about it, they didn't understand the reason and said they never found it. Finally, a professor at SUNY Morrisville in the Auto Tech school identified that it may be some type of self cleaning filter. There is no repair for it. It just happens. The road noise can hinder conversation. The car has needed more small things done in a shorter time than any other car I've owned. I've had 2 Subarus and Hondas and Toyotas. The dashboard is an odd mix of basic, old fashioned dials and updated more technologically advanced controls. I didn't mind that at first. I figured that's how they kept costs down. If it ain't broken, don't fix it. But the first time I needed to adjust the heating system while driving, I changed my mind. The icons around the dial for heating and AC are small and not easily visible from the driver's seat. They are located at the bottom right of the control panel under the radio. The defrosters are not sturdy or efficient enough for the winter climate where I live, or even spring and summer foggy, humid rainy weather. Windows stay fogged for a long time, and the edges of the front windshield never fully clear of snow or slush. The back seat windows remain fogged. The heated seats are nice. It is not a great snow car despite excellent snow tires. I have learned to avoid particular hilly streets in the snow. I never had to do that with my other cars. It sits very low to the ground which can make exit and entry awkward and gives little clearance for dirt, mud, snow and gravel. The doors are also very heavy. There isn't much headroom but I'm only 5'7" so I fit. My father at 5' 11" did not fit easily. Driver visibility is poor on the right and left of the front windshield. I've had multiple mechanical problems in addition to the door hinges that I did not experience on other cars at the same ages. The car is a difficult to repair. Frequently small parts cannot be acquired individually but must come as part of an entire assembly which elevates the costs of repairs considerably. Add to all of that the deceptions VW deliberately committed regarding emissions standards and the appeal of the car hits rock bottom for me. I will never buy another volkswagen.
Excellent Value
TWA, Palmer, MA, 04/12/2019
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen S 4dr Wagon (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
Bought this car as a rebuilt with 14K miles. Light front passenger side hit that was repaired well enough. A no frills S model with the 5 Cyl non-turbo and a 5 spd stick is a great little package. The clutch action is nice and light. Great little engine and would probably run up to 300K without issue. A little sluggish unless you spool it up, but will get out of its' own way when asked … to. Driving it easy on the pedal will consistently return 32-33 MPG. Ride is a little stiff but so be it. With Studded snow tires this car will go anywhere. I live in the Northeast in an area where the only way home is uphill and I've never not made it. Roof rack and cavernous interior space make this car highly desirable for the times when my friends and family need to move something. There have been no issues with anything falling apart on the interior or exterior. I'm using Synthetic oil changing it once a year. Only expenses have been tires and brakes and oil changes, all of which I do myself. I was concerned about the serpentine belt that runs just about everything as I'm approaching 100K, and there is no change interval recommended by VW that I'm aware of, but people are saying that if it looks OK, run it, with some stating they have close to 200K on them. This car owes me nothing at this point, and I expect to get another 100K out of it. Most economical vehicle I have ever owned.
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen S Wagon
Pros & Cons
- Pro:Cavernous cargo space
- Pro:stellar fuel economy with TDI
- Pro:upscale cabin
- Pro:comfortable seats
- Pro:refined ride
- Pro:good iPod interface.
- Con:TDI's premium price.
Full Edmunds Review: 2011 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen Wagon
Edmunds Insurance Estimator
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen in Ohio is:
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