DESCRIPTION

Pros:

• TDI engine option offers power and fuel efficiency
• Tall ceiling aids cargo space versatility
• Strong occupant safety features
• Refined ride
• Comfortable seats

Cons:

• TDI engine option commands a premium price

Ruling: The VW Jetta Sportwagen offers value, versatility, and very few compromises. Volkswagen's 2011 jetta SportWagen comes back for the new model year essentially the same vehicle as last year.

The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen extends the capability of the Volkswagen's top-selling Jetta - literally. Smart buyers not interested in the lumbering swagger of a crossover or weak fuel economy of a larger car look towards a wagon to as an economical alternative. The Jetta SportWagen mixes practicality with European style and balances both elegance and sportiness. And the Jetta SportWagen delivers VW panache without exceeding the family budget.

The Jetta SportWagen is offered with three engine variations. The Jetta SportWagen will launch with an upgraded 2.5-liter, five cylinder engine that now produces 170 horsepower. The 2.5L Jetta SportWagen has the 2.0T, turbocharged, four cylinder engine that produces 200 hp. The third engine option for the Jetta SportWagen is the 2.0L TDI clean diesel engine.

Usable cargo space rivals a small to mid-size SUV with an impressive 66.9 cubic feet cargo space when the rear seat is folded down. For those whose active lifestyle requires even more room, there is an optional fold-flat front passenger seat that provides additional cargo space.