The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta is a premium five-passenger European style vehicle available in sedan and sportwagen body styles with S, SE, SEL, and TDI trim levels. The Jetta gets a new sportwagen body and a diesel-fueled TDI engine for 2009.

Three different engines choices are available on the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta – a 2.5-liter, 20 valve DOHC, inline 5-cylinder engine that generates 170-hp and 177 lb-ft. of torque (S and SE); a 2.5L, 20 valve DOHC, inline 5-cylinder engine that produces 170-hp and 177 lb-ft. of torque (SEL); and a 2.0L inline 4-cylinder turbocharged clean diesel engine with common rail direct injection (TDI) that delivers 140-hp and 236 lb-ft. of torque.

A five-speed manual transmission is standard and a six-speed automatic with Tiptronic automanual capability is optional. The EPA is estimated at 21/29 mpg (city/highway).

Body color bumpers with textured black front and rear lower valance; dual exhaust tips; 6.5J x 16-inch steel wheels with full wheel cover (S); 6.5J X 16-inch alloy wheels (SE and TDI); 7J x 17-inch alloy wheels (SEL); four doors with body color door handles; chrome front grille; two-speed windshield wipers with variable intermittent wipe feature; and heated windshield washer nozzles mark the exterior features on the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta.

The interior of the 2009 Jetta consists of manual single-zone climate control (climatic); CFC-free air conditioning; anti-theft vehicle alarm system for doors, hood, trunk lid, radio, and starter with warning LED in door top sill and audio and visual activation; cruise control; premium VII AM/FM radio with in-dash 6-disc CD changer that is MP3 format readable, satellite radio compatible, and has 10 speakers; theft-deterrent warning light and coding system; 8-way manually adjustable height and reach front seats; power recline (driver only) with adjustable (height) lockable head restraints; lumbar support for front seats; and manually adjustable heated front seats as standard features.

The sedans have a cargo area of 16 cubic feet and for the sportwagen models this volume doubles. The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta comes with Volkswagen's carefree maintenance program. There are no charges for the scheduled maintenance for the length of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty—three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

Antilock disc brakes; stability and traction control systems; front side airbags; and full-length side curtain airbags are standard. Rear side airbags are optional on all Jetta body styles.