New Car Review of the 2005 Jetta Compact Sedan and Wagon

Description: Compact Sedan and Wagon
Base MSRP Range: $17,680 - $25,045
Invoice Price Range: $16,174 - $22,914
Where built: Mexico

Volkswagen takes the five-door hatchback Golf and adds a bona fide trunk to create this compact-class four-door notchback sedan, or a five-door station wagon. Jetta provides a respectable amount of room for five adults to travel in comfort, offers a choice of powertrains that range from economical to exuberant, stocks a long list of standard convenience items, yet holds a tight grip on bottom-line prices.

Engine choices start with a naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter four-in-line borrowed from Golf with 115-hp. Then there's a 100-hp TDI for Jetta GL and GLS. Jetta's third engine -- a 1.8-liter turbo four -- makes 180-hp with the 5-speed automatic Tiptronic.

A revamped color chart for Jetta in the 2005 line shows shades like Speed Blue with the cabin in black and gray.