I have to qualify that last statement because of some mail we've received about cars whose quality fails them after a few thousand miles. Please realize that we only get to drive these cars for a week or so, and many quality issues never surface in that period of time. But I'll still go out on a limb and say the Jetta is well-built. Third, there is an assortment of powerplants to appeal to any driver. Next up the line is the 90 horsepower 1.9-liter turbocharged engine.
Diesels are practical, but they also come with inherent problems.
Like most V-6 engines, this engine provides good solid power and torque. New for 2000 is the 1.8-liter turbocharged four in our tester that is rated at 150 horsepower. Having had the opportunity to drive all three engines in an assortment of Jettas, I have to say the 1.8T is my favorite. I'll be the first to admit that I have a heavy foot, but the performance aspects of the 1.8T go far beyond pure power. The engine has great flexibility than the six-cylinder.