Volkswagen threw a huge party for the new 2011 Jetta sedan and even hired  Katy Perry to promote the car (we can’t forget her tight dress at the unveiling ceremony). But according to Consumer Reports that was all to cover how rubbish this car really is!

This really came as a bit of a surprise. You see the new Jetta is thoroughly upgraded over the previous model, not just in terms of design, but quality and powertrains as well. Plus Volkswagen has a reputation for making good affordable small cars. But Consumer Reports compared it to 11 small sedans in the same category and ranked the Jetta last.

They say they have found fault with its agility, cornering grip, coarse engine, braking, interior fit and finish, and so-so fuel economy. That’s pretty much everything Volkswagen boasts about the new car!

Now since it’s a touching case and the recent Tesla-Top Gear feud proved that you can’t just say something and get away with it, we prefer not to comment on this and just let you read CR’s report and judge for yourself:

“The new Jetta is unimpressive,” said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center in East Haddam, CT. “In an effort to bring the car’s starting price down, VW cheapened the previous Jetta’s interior and suspension, making it less sophisticated and compromising handling.”

The four-vehicle small sedan test group also featured two versions of the new Chevrolet Cruze-which CR found light-years ahead of the crude Chevrolet Cobalt that it replaced — and the latest generation Hyundai Elantra.

The Cruze now ranks mid-pack among the 11 small sedans tested, with a Very Good overall score. The two versions tested handled nicely and felt substantial. But a tight rear seat and so-so fuel economy for this class reduced the Cruze’s overall scores.

Consumer Reports findings on the newly redesigned Elantra were highlighted last month in CR’s Annual Auto Issue, where it was named a Top Pick in its category. It currently ranks as the best small sedan that’s been tested by the publication, followed by the Nissan Sentra, Subaru Impreza and Toyota Corolla, in descending order. The Sentra, Impreza and Corolla had all been tested previously. The redesigned Ford Focus just went on sale; Consumer Reports will be testing one in the months ahead.

Prices for the small sedans tested in this group ranged from $18,375 for the Cruze LS to $20,530 for the Cruze LT.

The issue also features a test of the redesigned Scion tC coupe and ratings of car batteries including four from a new lower-cost line of batteries called PlusStart that performed well.

The Elantra is the only vehicle in the test group that is Recommended. The Cruze LS, Scion tC, and Volkswagen Jetta scored too low to be Recommended. The Cruze LT is too new for Consumer Reports to have adequate reliability data to Recommend. Consumer Reports only recommends vehicles that have performed well in its tests, have at least average predicted reliability based on CR’s Annual Auto Survey of its more than seven million print and Web subscribers, and performed at least adequately if crash-tested or included in a government rollover test.

The wagon version of the Jetta, called the SportWagen, is based on the previous generation of the vehicle; the SportWagen is still Recommended.

Full tests and ratings for all five of these test vehicles appear in the May issue of Consumer Reports, which goes on sale April 5th. The reports are also available to subscribers of www.ConsumerReports.org.Updated daily,ConsumerReports.org is the go-to site for the latest auto reviews, product news, blogs on breaking news and car buying information.

The redesigned Hyundai Elantra combines nimble handling with a comfortable, well-controlled ride. The interior is well equipped and neatly laid out. Quick, responsive steering and little body lean help the Elantra feel agile. Emergency handling is very secure. The Elantra GLS ($18,445 MSRP as tested,) is powered by a 148-hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that provides decent performance and gets 29 mpg overall in CR’s own fuel economy tests. The six-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and responsively. Braking is Very Good. Fit and finish is good for the class. The trunk is spacious. CR expects reliability to be above average like the previous Elantra.

The Chevrolet Cruze handles nicely and has a taut and controlled ride. Its relatively heavy weight-as much as some larger mid-sized family sedans-hampers fuel economy and acceleration. The Cruze LS ($18,375 MSRP as tested), is powered by a 138-hp, 1.8-liter four cylinder engine. The uplevel Chevrolet Cruze LT ($20,530 MSRP as tested,) is powered by a 138-hp 1.4 liter turbocharged four cylinder. Both engines perform adequately and get 26 mpg overall, but the LT’s engine is more responsive and refined. The six-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly. Braking is Very Good. The well-finished cabin is one of the nicest in this class, but the rear seat is tight. There is a good-sized trunk. Some popular and important features, like power mirrors, are unavailable on the Cruze LS.

The redesigned Volkswagen Jetta is a shadow of the agile, well-finished car it once was. The rear seat is roomier and the trunk is huge, but handling agility and cornering grip now fall short, as does the finish inside the formerly impeccable interior. The Jetta SE ($20,800 MSRP as tested), is powered by a coarse-sounding 170-hp, 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine that gives adequate acceleration and gets 25 mpg overall. The six-speed automatic transmission can be slow to downshift. Braking distances are long. Cargo space can be expanded by folding the 60/40 rear seatback.

The redesigned Scion tC is a well-equipped coupe that provides responsive handling as well as very good fuel economy and acceleration. A jittery ride, noisy cabin, and limited rear visibility are low points. The Scion tC ($19,165 MSRP as tested), is powered by a 180-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that is responsive and gets an impressive 28 mpg. The six-speed manual transmission shifts precisely, and effortlessly, but it lacks the sporty feel of the best shifters. Braking is Very Good. Fit and finish are unimpressive. Cargo space is good and the 60/40-split rear seatbacks fold to create a generous hatchback bay.

Modern cars are packed with electronic stuff, and they sure have their uses. But god forbid if something goes wrong with them! Like what happened for the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta.

They’ve issued a recall for 71,043 2011 model year Jettas in order to reconfigure a wiring layout associated with the anti-theft alarm system and horn. Apparently sometimes when the driver honks the horn, it triggers the anti-theft system for no good reason and that shuts the car down! No injuries or accidents have been reported as a result of this condition, but I’m sure it has made a number of Jetta owners really pissed off.

Volkswagen has scheduled free repair for all affected models and will notify the owners via first class mail.

If the standard VW Jetta is boring for you, and let’s be honest it is, then you should consider this new GLI edition they unveiled at Chicago autoshow. It offers even better value than the base car because it’s reasonably priced and comes with more of everything.

Let’s start with the pricing. The Jetta GLi comes in three trims, the base has a starting MSRP of $23,495. The GLI Autobahn, with an MSRP of $25,545, adds 18″ alloy wheels, sunroof, dual zone climate control, heated V-Tex Leatherette seats and the Fender Premium Audio System. The top of the line Jetta GLI Autobahn with Navigation adds the RNS-315 navigation system and keyless access with push-button start technology for an MSRP of $26,445.

The GLI Jetta is powered by the renowned VW 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine with 200 horsepower and 207 lb.-ft. of torque at just 1,700 rpm. Its offered with a six-speed manual gearbox, but can be ordered with the DSG transmission, with which it is expected to deliver 31 mpg highway with the manual and 32 mpg highway.

The GLI being a sporty sedan it also features Track tuned four-way Independent Performance Suspension for superb handling, DSG automatic gearbox that offers steering wheel mounted paddles shifters, super quick shift times and rev-matched downshifts, XDS cross differential system that debuted on the Volkswagen GTI, that helps prevent inside wheel spin during cornering and Four wheel disc brakes with floating red calipers.

The car also looks different than normal models inside and out, with a new grille, revised bumpers, available with 17″ or 18″ alloys, and smoke lights as well as dual exhaust pipes on the outside – and sport bucket seats with red stitching and a sport flat-bottom steering wheel with red stitching, the GLI logo and aluminum accents inside the cabin.

To increase versatility, the rear bench seatback is split 60/40 and folds. The trunk can also be opened from inside the car by a remote unlock switch. As for safety features, it gets electronic stability control, tire pressure monitoring and Volkswagen’s advanced Intelligent Crash Response System, which initiates automatic safety protection in some types of collisions — the electrical supply to the fuel pump is shut off, the doors unlock and the hazard lights switch on, as well as driver and front passenger airbags, side airbags in front and Side Curtain Protection airbags in front and rear.

Pricing announced for the European version of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta and based on that the car starts from £16,960 in the UK and goes up to DSG costs £22,320. You could say that is good value considering the amount of kit you receives with the car and its lineup of good engines.

As a sign of its good value, all Jetta versions are fitted as standard with air conditioning, an MP3 compatible CD stereo, six airbags, ABS, Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP), an alarm and folding rear seats. The car also gets a range of efficient and refined TSI petrol and TDI diesel engines.  Two petrol engines are offered – joining the 1.4-litre TSI 122 PS entry-level engine is a range-topping twincharged 1.4-litre TSI unit developing 160 PS.

What’s more the 2011 model is 90 mm longer at 4,644 mm with a wheelbase increase of 70 mm to 2,648 mm, which results in an increased legroom of 67mm. Not to mention the new Jetta is also much better looking than the old one, featuring a sleek and modern design.

2011 Volkswagen Jetta engine lineup and pricing:

New Jetta prices

The all-new Volkswagen Jetta of 2011 has a bright future in America, like every other mid-size well-equipped German sedan with a base price of $16,000 would have. But now that the Americans have the NMS Passat, VW wants a bigger market for the Jetta in Europe where it’s priced from 20,900 Euro.

The new Jetta slots between the Golf and Passat sizewise and with a range of highly efficient TSI and TDI engines, it has the perfect recipe for European taste. The most economical version of the car manages 4.2 liter /100km which is astonishing. The car also gets dual-clutch transmissions (DSG) which you don’t usually see in a car of this price range.

Powertrains:

Key data of pure efficiency: Tremendous advances were also made in the powertrain area. Consider the 1.6 TDI with 77 kW / 105 PS: In the BlueMotion Technology version, this common rail turbodiesel only consumes 4.2 l/100 km (equivalent to 109 g/km CO2). Or take the example of the 1.2 TSI, which also outputs 77 kW / 105 PS and has BlueMotion Technology: The direct injection turbo petrol engine consumes just 5.3 l/100 km (equivalent to 123 g/km CO2) – and this is a saloon with petrol engine that can accelerate to 190 km/h. As noted, the Trendline version of the Jetta 1.2 TSI costs 20,900 euros. The base price of the Jetta 1.6 TDI Trendline with BlueMotion Technology is 23,475 euros. Other power levels: a TDI with 103 kW / 140 PS and (following over the course of the year) three TSIs with 90 kW / 122 PS, 118 kW / 160 PS and 147 kW / 200 PS. This means that the Jetta will be exclusively powered by state-of-the-art charged direct injection engines. All engines except the 105 PS TSI may be combined with an optional dual-clutch transmission (DSG).

Safety:

Here’s where it starts: The Trendline equipment line is the entry level into the world of the Jetta. However, it is certainly not a base version in the classic sense of the word. When it comes to safety, for example, it offers six airbags (optionally eight), five crash-optimised head restraints (with special anti-whiplash design in front), daytime running lights, automatic seatbelt detection system, automatic hazard lights on hard braking, Hill Climb Assist, ABS with braking assistant and ESP with countersteering feature and trailer stabilisation. Exterior features of the Jetta Trendline include such details as 205 tyres on 16-inch steel wheels, electrically adjustable and heated door mirror with integrated indicators and green tinted insulating glass. Inside, the Jetta’s convenience features have been upgraded with details such as a climate control system (Climatic), dust and pollen filter, remote control central locking, electric windows all round, outside temperature indicator with frost warning, chrome bezels for air vents, multifunction display and height adjustable driver’s seat (fabric seat covers in “Cardeol” design).

Equipments:

The popular middle: The next level up, the Comfortline, starts at prices from 22,600 euros (Jetta 1.2 TSI with 77 kW / 105 PS). From the outside , this model is distinguished by such features as chrome accents on the radiator grille and 16-inch, 5-spoke “Navarra” alloy wheels. Inside, the Jetta Comfortline is upgraded by such details as storage pockets on the backs of the front seats, centre armrests (with storage compartment in front armrest), 8-way adjustment of the comfort seats (with fabric covers in “Sienna” design), fabric floor mats, RCD 210 Radio-CD system, a chrome pack (including rotary light switch and climate system control dials) and what is known as the small leather pack (steering wheel, gearshift grip and parking brake lever) as well as black accents (“Black Pyramid”). Also standard equipment: the Park Pilot assistance system (front and rear), lowering of the passenger side mirror for reversing, and four reading lamps (two in the front, two in the rear).

After the American version, which was revealed at the Times Square by Katy Perry, now Volkswagen released details and specs of the European version of the all-new 2011 Jetta. This car which slots between the Golf and the Passat is larger and prettier than the old gen, and also offers better powertrains and equipments. While the American Jetta starts from 16,000 USD, in Europe it is priced from 20,900 Euro.

But then you can have it with the 1.6 TDI with 77 kW / 105 PS: In the BlueMotion Technology version, this common rail turbodiesel only consumes 4.2 l/100 km (equivalent to 109 g/km CO2). The other option is the 1.2 TSI that also outputs 77 kW / 105 PS and has BlueMotion Technology: This direct-injection turbo petrol engine only requires 5.3 l/100 km (equivalent to 123 g/km CO2).

Other choices for engine include 1.6 TDI with 103 kW / 140 PS and three TSIs with 90 kW / 122 PS, 118 kW / 160 PS and 147 kW / 200 PS.

The 2011 Jetta comes in three trim levels: Trendline, Comfortline and Highline. The Trendline comes with six airbags (with an optional eight), five crash-optimized head restraints (on front seats with anti-whiplash design), daytime running lights, belt fastening detection, automatic hazard flasher lights that activate with hard braking, Hill Climb Assist and ABS with braking assistant and ESP with trailer stabilisation.

Exterior features of the VW Jetta Trendline include details such as 205 tyres on 16-inch steel wheels, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors with integrated turn signals and green tinted heat-insulating glass. Inside, comfort and convenience are upgraded with details such as climate control (Climatic), dust and pollen filter, radio remote control of central locking, outside temperature indicator with road icing warning, chrome bezels for the air vents, multifunctional display (MFA) and a height-adjustable driver’s seat (with fabric seat covers in “Cardeol” design).

The Comfortline adds accents in the radiator grille and 16-inch, five-spoke “Mambo” alloy wheels, as well as storage pockets on the backrests of the front seats, centre armrests (with storage compartment in front), 8-way adjustment of driver and front passenger seats, comfort seats with elegant fabric upholstery in “Sienna” design, woven floor mats, the RCD 210 radio-CD system, a Chrome Pack (including rotary light switch and control dial for climate control) and what is known as the Small Leather Pack (leather-trimmed steering wheel, gearshift grip and parking brake grip) as well as black accents (“Black Pyramid”). Also standard: the Park Pilot (front and rear), lowering of the passenger side door mirror when reversing and four reading lamps (2 in front, 2 in rear).

And finally the Highline comes with 7-inch alloy wheels (ten-spoke “Porto” type), chrome frame around lower air intake screen, chrome trim under the side windows, headlight cleaning system and front fog lights with cornering lights.

There’s also an optional Winter Pack including heated front seats and heated windscreen washer nozzles, and eats with fabric covers (“Gloss”) and artificial leather, particularly elegant accents (“Iridium Printed” pattern) and an automatic climate control (Climatronic).

Pricing:

You never see a sportscar maker like Ferrari or Lamborghini to hold such a big event to reveal their high-end cars, but VW does that for an economy class car such as the new Jetta! The car itself costs form $16,000, but they must have spent a helluva lot more to take over NY’s Times Square like that. And to attract the crowd, they even hired Katy Perry, but that was a bad plan because God bless her she turned up in such a tight dress that no one looked at the car anyway

Hit the jump to also see a video of the 2011 VW Jetta itself…

According to a countdown timer VW launched in their website, the all-new Jetta Sedan will be unveiled on June 15 and you can watch its  debut ceremony live at its special microsite. This new Jetta is based on the same platform as the compact coupe, and it will certainly look a lot like it. The car’s test mules have been scooped recently in America which is relevant, because it is mainly designed for the US market. So, stay tuned for about the 2011 VW Jetta.

Unveiled at last year’s SEMA show, the special edition VW Jetta Street will hit the showrooms next year in January starting at around $25,000. The Jetta Street is equipped with the optional TDI Cup Edition Kit consisting of front bumper, side skirts and rear valance like those on the Cup racing models. It’s powered by a 2.0 liter clean diesel engine with 140 hp and 236 lbs.-ft. of torque.

The engine makes use of an advanced electronically controlled turbocharger and common rail direct injection technology, and can be mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or the highly acclaimed DSG transmission.

The interior of Jetta Street is also garnished with sport seats with Interlagos cloth, and a leather-wrapped, multi-function steering wheel that features paddle shifters (for the DSG gearbox). New 18-inch Charleston wheels with performance all-season tires complete this package.

“Since our inaugural TDI Cup series in 2008 we have received numerous inquiries as to whether or not we would offer a TDI Cup replica vehicle,” said Mark Barnes, Chief Operating Officer, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “We’re thrilled to announce that a special edition Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition will be available in dealer showrooms early next year. What makes this special edition so unique is that it features the optional, race inspired, TDI Cup body kit package combined with our clean diesel engine. The Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition is one exceptional special model that is as fun-to-drive as it is to look at,” added Barnes.