Volkswagen Raises Jetta US Price by $500

Five hundred dollars might not sound all that important, but when you consider that Volkswagen has made such a big deal about the Jetta’s $15,995 starting price, the added sum becomes more of a concern. The carmaker even made a funny little commercial about this guy that would do just about every job out there just to earn enough to afford a new Jetta, only to find out that the starting price had been lowered.

This means our friend will have to go through “another day, another dollar” for a little while more, because Volkswagen has increased the Jetta’s price by $500. Volkswagen’s site now shows that the base 2011 S model, which comes equipped with an anemic 2.0-liter 115 hp four-cylinder engine, is “surprisingly priced at just $16,495”.

The news isn’t all that unexpected, as even though the model is assembled in Mexico, some parts are subject to price increases due to ever-changing exchange rate. But look on the bright side mister moonlighting man, as only the base model’s price has been increased.

The Volkswagen Jetta may have a low base price tag, but Consumer Reports evidently feels that the more affordable sticker has come at too high of a cost to the vehicle itself. The buyer-centric organization ranked the Jetta dead last among 11 small sedans tested for the April edition of its magazine.

"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," said David Champion, senior director of the group's Auto Test Center.