Used 2012 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen Wagon Consumer Reviews
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Love
taekwond00m, 12/09/2011
2012 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen SE PZEV 4dr Wagon (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
24 of 25 people found this review helpful
First time VW owner and wondering why I waited so long. Previously dubbed as a "subaru girl" now converted after driving this fabulous ride! It's tight handling and peppy engine are amazing. Love the front wheel drive in this northern Minn climate. Great front, side and rear visibility -- especially with the back seats down. Amazingly smooth and quiet ride for a small car. I've owned 3 Subarus, 1 Jeep, and a Honda Civic. This SportWagen is by far my absolute favorite. Love it love it love it. p.s. I am a 5'4" female. Only drawback is the head rest on front seat -- because I'm short, makes me kinda hunch forward. Removed for now while thinking of an alternative. Great financing.
Best car I've ever owned & still great
joseph humphrey, 12/15/2015
updated 09/01/2021
2012 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen SE 4dr Wagon (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
Ok, more modifications since last update. The ECU/TCU have been refreshed with performance software from Integrated Engineering. Engine now revs to 7200 RPM w/ HP of 185 vs.170 of stock, but big difference is torque. Now 213 ft/lb at 4200 RPM vs 190 for stock. Really gives the car a lot more punch. Downside is having to run premium grade fuel. Upgrade also includes a short ram air intake, GTI springs a Koni Sport Dampers. Koni sport is a bit over damped for the spring rate, the FSD would be a better choice. 77K mi. and no issues. This might be one of the best 'do it all cars' out there for a very reasonable sum. Looks good, above average interior quality, supurb front seat comfort, sporty handling and fairly quick when pushed. Overall, favorite car I've ever driven, and there's been a few. Accords, BMW3's, Audi A4s among them. Sure some of them were better at some things, but not as good in total. Don't understand why anyone who needs utility and doesn't go off road would choose an SUV or even worse...IMHO a crossover. So far no reliability issues in 1K mi. I realize that with German cars you have to be pretty fastidious with following maintenance. They are not 'drive and forget'. Ok, this is my follow up review after 14 months and now 63K on the clock I LOVE this car. Every time I see it or drive it it makes me smile, and what's better than that? Zero problems after 14 months, other than the inside hatch release is a bit wonky. (apparently a somewhat common issue, though cheap to fix) I think VW got a bad quality rep when they first started building cars in Mexico, but once they got to the MK5's (2009) I think they took care of that problem. I baby it when the engine is cold, but other than that, I drive it pretty hard, just because it's so much fun. As stated earlier, the fit and finish, especially of the interior are in a league with luxury cars. The much maligned Tiptronic transmission shifts just fine in manumatic or sport mode. In std D, it is programmed more toward economy. The front seats are super comfortable but firm and supportive for spirited driving. The ride is quite firm and maybe harsh for some, but this particular car as 18" wheels with performance tires. But the handling is superb, especially for what is essentially an econo box. Yeah, the rear seats are a bit tight, but is a compact car. But plenty of cargo room, although you can't haul a sheet of plywood....even half sheet as the hatch opening is too narrow. Yes, the maintenance cost are higher than a Japanese or US car but I can live with it. I did give it a poor review for expected resale value, as VW has taken a beating due to the TDI scandal, and most people in the US don't want a wagon anyway. It doesn't have all the latest tech, but it is a 2012. Yep, the sound system still blows and I wish VW had offered the 2.0T for all years, along with a limited slip diff. But, the 2.5 is supposed to be the most reliable engine and the tiptoe tranny doesn't require those expensive 40K flushes. I still haven't installed the sport suspension (just haven't had time) Even if I take a beating on resale (though I'll probably own this until it's completely worn out) I think this car is an outstanding value. Plus there simply is no other affordable US market wagon, that is a real car and not a fake SUV. However, after talking to some people on VWvortex, I do realize that those folks who live in snow country do want a high ground clearance/all wheel drive vehicle......hence the new Alltrak. (We get cold here, but not a lot of snow. Ok now I'm at 67K miles. Still not a single problem. I still love driving it. I am a fanatic about upkeep. I have done all the recommended fluid and filter flushes, inc tranny and brakes. I upgraded brakes to Optimal brand e-coated rotors and EBC Red (street/performance) pads, even though shop that installed said stock brakes were fine. I think the brake feel is much improved by the pads and the 'hat's on stock were rusty. The new ones look much nicer. I did not go with drilled or slotted as too expensive. This is a great car and hell of a bargain.
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poor man's audi
joseph humphrey, 11/06/2015
updated 11/20/2023
2012 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen S 4dr Wagon (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
Did the ECM/TCM reprograming from IE. Not really cheap if you have the auto trans and have to flash that, but man oh man does it work. Car is quicker by a second 0-60 than GTI of the era. A riot to drive. Downside, is requires high octane fuel which is really expensive now, but I don't drive many miles a week. New thought on suspension. The Koni Sports are over damped for these springs. The FSD or a Bilstein B8 would be better choice. Great car. Total sleeper now. Finally installed sport suspension. Factory VW DG springs with Koni sport dampers. If you do this....set rebound at full soft. The Koni's have higher base rate damping to work with the higher spring rate of the sport spring. Lowers car by 1" which looks great. More sporty and aggressive but doesn't look 'slammed'. Handling is on par with a GTI from the era (ie: before adaptive dampers) Ride is somewhat firmer but not harsh, but man is it fun on a twisty back road. 75K miles now and not a single issue. I have new plugs and coil packs to install, but that is preventative only. No squeaks or rattles. No rust anywhere. (even underneath) They built this right. Next upgrade will be eco/tcu tune from Integrated Engineering. There's a lot of potential in that lowly 2.5 engine. Engine tune is stupid fun. 0-60 in 6.8-6.9 which is better than stock GTI of the era. Downside beside besides initial cost is requires premium grade fuel.......which has become a bit pricey. Still, with all the abuse, not a singe thing has broken on this car. I've done nothing short of religious maintenance (which includes 5K oil changes on synthetic, not 10K as allowed) It's fun, it's practical, it's bulletproof. And I think it looks cool. Adding a factory Votex body kit in the spring. Best car I've ever owned.
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Euro styling. So practical and yet fun 2 Drive.
Blue, 01/13/2018
2012 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen S PZEV 4dr Wagon (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
This such a great SUV alternative that drives like a dream. Plastic underbelly when combined with low ground clearance must be noted. It’s a bad thing but easily remedied with a solid aftermarket add on such as the Panzer Plate. Interior is at the cusp of Euro simplicity and luxury. Dig this vehicle.
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Sooo good
Ernestine Hoeflein, 09/06/2018
updated 03/09/2022
2012 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen SE 4dr Wagon w/Sunroof (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
For the price it is a great car. After eight years it looks like it was just delivered. Still have it. Did get new tires.
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