2004 Volkswagen Jetta Wagon TDI

Although passing performance in the Jetta TDI wagon may be marginal, highway cruising is absolutely splendid. The Jetta is

The Jetta wagon spoils its occupants by absorbing pavement hostilities before they unduly transmit their harshness into the passenger compartment. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

quiet and composed on the road. In fact, its ride feels like that of a larger car. Whether on a highway or a scaly back road, the Jetta wagon spoils its occupants by absorbing pavement hostilities before they unduly transmit their harshness into the passenger compartment. Admirably, the compliant suspension doesn't come at the cost of competent handling. The Jetta wagon is nimble about town and quite inspirational when twisty roads lay ahead. While providing substantial road-feel and plenty of feedback, the firm steering setup delivers precise and predictable turn-in. Even with its passenger car tires, my tester held a tight arc throughout a high-speed turn without exhibiting excessive front-end plow. The faint cry of overtaxed tires and slight understeer being the only indications that the Jetta's cornering threshold was nearing.

Not only does the Jetta's neutral-feeling chassis provide predictable handling, its architecture minimizes body lean and sway during severe cornering or rapid lane changes. The suspension arrangement that so aptly performs all of these functions is fully independent and consists of McPherson struts, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers and an integrated stabilizer bar at the front. Working

The Jetta wagon is nimble about town and quite inspirational when twisty roads lay ahead. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

the rear is a torsion beam axle, coil springs, telescopic gas pressurized shock absorbers and a stabilizer bar.

Fine handling enhances a vehicle's safety, especially when an emergency maneuver is undertaken. Maximum braking often accompanies or follows such maneuvers, and in the case of the Jetta wagon, fine handling is augmented by tremendous braking ability. The Jetta is attired with four wheel antilock disc brakes accompanied by electronic brake-force distribution. Very little pedal pressure is needed to drop the wagon's anchor and return the car to a stationary state. As pressure is applied to the pedal, braking force is delivered in a linear and progressive manner until, if needed, the antilock system engages. Emergency braking generates negligible nosedive, thanks again to the sophisticated suspension setup and the well-balanced Jetta chassis.