Styling conservative on 2011 Volkswagen Jetta

From Volkswagen comes one of the year's most attractive automotive values or one of its biggest disappointments: the 2011 Jetta.

From the first media previews, it has been controversial - for conservative styling, an interior with harder and cheaper-feeling materials and VW's substitution of a torsion beam rear suspension in most versions for the preferable independent setup.

Plainly, the new Jetta is plain; VW wasn't taking any chances with polarizing styling for its best-selling U.S. model. But, I'd be a lot more worried about the predecessor model's poor ranking in J.D. Power owner surveys than I would be about plain looks or a dashboard that isn't soft as a baby's bottom.

And, at least as I sampled it with a sport-tuned suspension, the Jetta still offers the kind of serious driving capability that one expects in a VW.

Power from the tester's 170 hp. 2.5-liter five cylinder engine is adequate - VW says zero to 60 takes 8.5 seconds - but it's annoyingly sluggish until the revs build.

Back on the upside, the rear seat boasts 2.7 inches more legroom than that of its predecessor and more than those of major competitors like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. Safety features include engine braking assist, which helps to prevent skids when the driver's foot is off the gas and the vehicle's cylinder compression is helping slow the vehicle.

Jettas begin at $15,765 with freight for a version with 2.0-liter 115 hp. four-cylinder engine. Be warned that VW says zero to 60 takes a leisurely 11 seconds with that engine and automatic transmission.

A diesel model is to be available next month. The 200 hp. turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine offered last year is to be available again in a GLI version due in the spring. The wagon was refreshed but not redesigned and it continues on sale.

There are no safety ratings yet for the 2011 Jetta from either federal government or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Consumer Reports has the 2010 Jetta on its recommended list and says reliability is average but Power says it was below average in dependability over three years and in quality in the first three months on the road. VW spokesman Kerry Christopher says the company is "very focused on quality" and promises better results in the future.

2011 Volkswagen Jetta SEL with sport package

Vehicle tested:

Engine: 2.5-liter, five-cylinder, 170 hp.

Fuel: Regular

Transmission: Six-speed automatic, front-wheel drive

Safety: Six air bags; four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, stability control and brake assist; engine braking assist; daytime running lamps; fog lamps; directional signals in outside rearview mirrors; tire pressure monitoring

Place of assembly: Puebla, Mexico

Trunk: 15.5 cubic feet

EPA fuel economy estimates: 24 mpg city,

31 highway

Price as driven: $24,854 including freight

Bottom line: Teutonic road manners, plain looks, quality concerns