2009 Volkswagen Jetta: What's New, Specs & Features

Last updated August 4, 2026

The biggest change for the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta is the arrival of the all-new SportWagen, which adds a wagon body with up to 66.9 cubic feet of cargo space. The TDI diesel also returns with a new 2.0-liter engine, while the gasoline sedan carries over without a redesign.

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About the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta

5th generation (A5, 2005.5-2010), late-cycle sedan year and first U.S. model year for the Jetta SportWagen

Volkswagen positioned the Jetta as a compact car with a more substantial, European driving character than typical economy sedans. Its identity centered on supportive seating, a solid-feeling cabin, composed road manners, and useful everyday space. For 2009, the model also covered unusually broad needs: a conventional sedan, a high-capacity wagon, a torque-rich diesel, and turbocharged gasoline versions. That mix distinguished it from compact rivals that generally lacked both wagon and diesel choices.

The 2009 range stretches from the practical S sedan to the new cargo-focused SportWagen and the torque-rich TDI diesel. The Wolfsburg Edition and SportWagen SEL use a 200-hp turbo gas engine, while upper trims add features such as a sunroof, synthetic-leather seating, upgraded audio, and power-adjustable seating.

What changed, by category

Structural

The Jetta SportWagen joins the U.S. range as an all-new wagon body style, providing 32.8 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seats and 66.9 cubic feet with them folded.

Powertrain

The TDI returns with a new 2.0-liter common-rail turbo-diesel engine producing 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. It meets emissions requirements in all 50 states.

Tech

Heated front seats and heated windshield-washer nozzles become standard across the Jetta range.

2009 Volkswagen Jetta specs and features by trim

Feature	2009 Volkswagen JettaS0 in stock	2009 Volkswagen JettaSE0 in stock	2009 Volkswagen JettaSEL0 in stock	2009 Volkswagen JettaTDI0 in stock	2009 Volkswagen JettaTDI Loyal Edition0 in stock	2009 Volkswagen JettaWolfsburg Edition0 in stock	2009 Volkswagen JettaS SportWagen Sport0 in stock	2009 Volkswagen JettaSE SportWagen Sport0 in stock	2009 Volkswagen JettaSEL SportWagen Sport0 in stock	2009 Volkswagen JettaTDI SportWagen Sport0 in stock
Engine	5-Cyl, 2.5 Liter / 5-Cyl, PZEV, 2.5 Liter	5-Cyl, 2.5 Liter / 5-Cyl, PZEV, 2.5 Liter	5-Cyl, 2.5 Liter / 5-Cyl, PZEV, 2.5 Liter	4-Cyl, Turbo Diesel, 2.0L	4-Cyl, Turbo Diesel, 2.0L	4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter / 4-Cyl, Turbo, PZEV, 2.0L	5-Cyl, 2.5 Liter / 5-Cyl, PZEV, 2.5 Liter	5-Cyl, 2.5 Liter / 5-Cyl, PZEV, 2.5 Liter	4-Cyl, Turbo, PZEV, 2.0L / 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter	4-Cyl, Turbo Diesel, 2.0L
Transmission	Automatic, 6-Spd w/Overdrive & Tiptronic / Manual, 5-Spd w/Overdrive	Automatic, 6-Spd w/Overdrive & Tiptronic / Manual, 5-Spd w/Overdrive	Automatic, 6-Spd w/Overdrive & Tiptronic	Automatic, 6-Spd DSG	Automatic, 6-Spd DSG	Automatic, 6-Spd DSG	Automatic, 6-Spd w/Overdrive & Tiptronic / Manual, 5-Spd w/Overdrive	Manual, 5-Spd w/Overdrive	Automatic, 6-Spd DSG / Manual, 6-Spd w/Overdrive	Automatic, 6-Spd DSG
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD	FWD	FWD	FWD	FWD	FWD	FWD	FWD	FWD
Fuel Type	Gas	Gas	Gas	Diesel	Diesel	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Diesel
MPG City	20–21 mpg	20–21 mpg	20 mpg	29 mpg	29 mpg	22 mpg	20–21 mpg	21 mpg	21–22 mpg	29 mpg
MPG Highway	29–30 mpg	29–30 mpg	29 mpg	39 mpg	39 mpg	29–31 mpg	29–30 mpg	30 mpg	31 mpg	39 mpg
Horsepower	170 hp	170 hp	170 hp	140 hp	140 hp	200 hp	170 hp	170 hp	200 hp	140 hp
Torque	177 lb-ft	177 lb-ft	177 lb-ft	236 lb-ft	236 lb-ft	207 lb-ft	177 lb-ft	177 lb-ft	207 lb-ft	236 lb-ft
Trunk/Cargo	16 cu-ft	16 cu-ft	16 cu-ft	16 cu-ft	16 cu-ft	16 cu-ft	32.8 cu-ft	32.8 cu-ft	32.8 cu-ft	32.8 cu-ft
Rear Legroom	35.4 in	35.4 in	35.4 in	35.4 in	35.4 in	35.4 in	35.5 in	35.5 in	35.5 in	35.5 in
Seats	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	5
Doors	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4
Safety & Security
Alarm System
Exterior Features
Alloy Wheels
Memory Exterior Mirrors
Power Moonroof
Panorama Moon Roof
Rear Spoiler
Roof Rails
Entertainment & Electronics
Bluetooth
Built-In Hard Drive
Front DVD Entertainment System
Navigation System
Premium Audio
SD Card Slot
Smartphone Interface
Comfort & Convenience
115V Power Outlet
Dual-Zone Climate Control
Heated Front Seats
Integrated Garage Door Opener
Leather Seats
Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
Memory Driver's Seat
Power Driver Seat

How the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta compares

The biggest change for the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta is a cabin refresh with revised trim, updated audio and climate controls, and wider use of Bluetooth. It is a meaningful mid-cycle update, not a full redesign.

See the full 2010 changes

Frequently asked questions

Was the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta redesigned?

No, the 2009 Jetta sedan was not redesigned. The major addition was the all-new Jetta SportWagen, which brought a wagon body to the U.S. range.

Was 2009 the first year for the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen?

Yes, 2009 was the first U.S. model year for the Jetta SportWagen. It has 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 66.9 cubic feet with them folded.

Did the Volkswagen Jetta TDI return for 2009?

Yes, the Jetta TDI returned for 2009 with a new 2.0-liter common-rail turbo-diesel engine. It produces 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque and is certified for sale in all 50 states.

What equipment became standard on every 2009 Volkswagen Jetta?

Heated front seats and heated windshield-washer nozzles became standard across the 2009 Jetta range.

Which 2009 Volkswagen Jetta models have the 200-hp turbo gas engine?

The 2009 Wolfsburg Edition sedan and SEL SportWagen use the 200-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter gas engine. Other gasoline S, SE, and SEL models use a 170-hp 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine.