The station wagon is making a big comeback with American car buyers. While SUVs are still popular, we’ve seen a lot more sales of compact SUVs, crossover utility vehicles, and sport wagons lately. Among those, the 2012 Volkwagen Jetta SportWagen is one of the best choices of the bunch.
Key Features
Of all of the features and options available for the Jetta SportWagen, the one that stands out the most is the 2.0-liter TDI diesel engine option. With an impressive fuel economy rating of 30 MPG in the city and 42 MPG on the highway and power to spare, this is the option to choose.
Changes for 2012
The 2012 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen is now available with a Sunroof package for all SE trim models, and a Navigation package is an option for diesel-powered models, as well.
What We Like
The 2012 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen is a lot of car for its price point. Plus, especially with the TDI diesel engine, it has enough get-up-and-go power and torque to make you forget that you’re driving a station wagon.
What Concerns Us
With recent developments about Volkswagen’s emissions scandal, we wonder if the resale values on these cars will be very good, even if they pass emissions. This may be of little concern, but it’s something to consider before you buy one.
Available Models
The 2012 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen has two engine options, a diesel-powered engine and a gasoline-powered engine:
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Gasoline:
- 2.5-liter 5-cylinder
- 170 HP at 5700 RPM
- 177 lb-ft at 4250 RPM
- 24/31 MPG (city/highway)
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Diesel:
- 2.0-liter turbodiesel 4-cylinder
- 140 HP at 4000 RPM
- 236 lb-ft at 1750-2500 RPM
- 30/42 MPG (city/highway)
Major Recalls
Two major recalls have affected the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen. One involved resonance in the fuel system, which could cause undue strain on the fuel pump. The other involved contamination of the clock springs in the air bags.
Common Issues
Consumers are largely happy with the Jetta SportWagen. The few complaints mostly involve issues with the fuel pump being under too much pressure and causing issues with the fuel system.
