Volkswagen Jetta II (facelift 1987) 1.8 16V (139 Hp)

Overall Rating

7.8 / 10

Safety N/A / 5

Not Rated

Engine 4.0 / 5

Value 4.2 / 5

Performance 3.8 / 5

Comfort 3.5 / 5

People\'s Opinion 3.1 / 5

Volkswagen Jetta:

The Volkswagen Jetta is a compact car/small family car manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen since 1979. Positioned to fill a sedan niche slightly above the firm's Golf hatchback, it has been marketed over seven generations, variously as the Atlantic, Vento, Bora, City Jetta, Jetta City, GLI, Jetta, Clasico, and Sagitar.
The Jetta has been offered in two- and four-door saloon / sedan and sometimes as five-door wagon / estate versions. Since the original version in 1980, the car has grown in size and power with each generation. By mid-2011, almost 10 million Jettas have been produced and sold all over the world. As of April 2014, Volkswagen marketed over 14 million, becoming its top selling model....(Read more on Wikipedia)

II (facelift 1987) Overview:

Volkswagen Jetta (II (facelift 1987)). With 168 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. Weighing only 1010 kg, it’s quite light. Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. Acceleration is good (0–100 km/h in 8.8 s). The top speed reaches 204 km/h. A four-door car with a separate trunk, ideal for families and daily commuting. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.

1.8 16V (139 Hp) Verdict:

Performance Verdict

The most potent engine in the lineup, delivering impressive acceleration and a sporty driving feel for the Jetta II.

Fuel Economy

While performance-oriented, its fuel economy is still respectable for a hot sedan of its era, though specific figures are not provided.

Best Use Case: Performance / Highway

Community Verdict

This rating is based on comments found on Reddit, scanned using artificial intelligence, and may not accurately reflect reality.

Allowed: 28% Neutral: 50% Issues: 22%

3.1 / 5

Based on AI analysis of 18 discussions

Read What Owners Say

😐 NEUTRAL

I suspect its american thing. They drive a car until it stops and then service and complain. When germans tell you there is a maintenance schedule, there is a schedule on the dot. Keep to it and all is good.

👍 POSITIVE

I have owned multiple VWs including 3 Jettas in the last 25 years All were incredibly reliable. I currently drive a Tiguan and have nothing but positive things to say about it. I love it

😐 NEUTRAL

If you drive over to your local Toyota or Honda dealer… their service departments are not empty. I sold Buicks when they were highly rated… they still had problems from new. Warranty repairs on new Enclaves and Acadias that ate their heads in 2008 was an outsize reason why the dealership was able to stay afloat in the SUV collapse of that year. My wife used to be a Service Advisor at a Honda

👍 POSITIVE

Poor maintenance. That is people describe toyotas as bullet proof. They survive poor maintenance better and have less maintenance issues. But go drive a corolla and them drive a jetta and tell me which brings you joy and which drives like a gokart. Vw all day just maintain it

👍 POSITIVE

My 2003 Jetta TDI ran like a top but anything electrical in it was fucked, especially the door sensors. My 2019 Golf Alltrack with 90,000 miles on the clock sounds and feels like the day I bought it. I love it.

👎 NEGATIVE

I’d like to get out of mine. But I owe more than it’s worth. 2019 Passat Wolfsburg. But I’ve had to replace the engine - leaking oil more than VW could pinpoint. They replaced it under warranty. I’ve also replaced the transmission because it just failed and wouldn’t shift anymore. They found metal in trans fluid and replaced it under warranty. Now I’m gun shy. I have no more warranty left (o

😐 NEUTRAL

I think a lot of it is the VW service schedule vs the chickenshit german car quirks that VW doesn’t acknowledge. As a GTI owner, keeping the car healthy is less so about changing oil and spark plugs on the proper interval, and more so ALWAYS keeping an eye out for any leaks or strange noises/performances. Water pump, pcv, etc all these things are basically wear items that aren’t on the official

😐 NEUTRAL

I’ve had a higher mileage Passat wagon for 2.5 years now, I’ve put 60,000km on it, currently sits at 260,000km. 2.0T 6MT wagon. I’ve had to put money into the car (which I expected) but other than a new CV that went bad within a week it hasn’t left me stranded, ever. They need more maintenance to run properly than their Japanese or domestic counterparts, however I often say a VW will run broken

😐 NEUTRAL

The average American neglects maintenance beyond the super basic stuff. Most people don't even read their manuals let alone the maintenance schedule. Sure, they'll go in for an oil change, but refuse servicing any of the other fluids. Or they might go in for spark plugs, but refuse the recommended timing job, PCV, whatever. Then something breaks because it wasn't maintained, but it's the car's fau

👍 POSITIVE

I live in Canada and in my city, the A7 generation of the Jetta is very popular with taxi companies and ride share drivers. They have to be reliable to put in the hours of service that is required for that line of work and all the extremes of the seasons (from bitter cold and windchill of winter to the extreme heat and humidity of summer).

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Reliable and durable build quality
• Spacious trunk (575L)
• Wide range of efficient and powerful engines
• Comfortable ride for its class
• Good fuel tank capacity (55L)

Cons:

• Outdated safety features by modern standards
• Basic interior design
• Some engines lack modern refinement
• Rear drum brakes on some trims
• Hydraulic steering can feel heavy

Specifications:

Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(II: 1986 - 1987).

General:
Brand:	Volkswagen
Model:	Jetta
Generation:	II (facelift 1987)
Modification (Engine):	1.8 16V (139 Hp)
Start of production:	1987
End of production:	1991
Powertrain Architecture:	Internal Combustion engine
Body type:	Sedan
Seats:	5
Doors:	4

Engine:
Power:	139 Hp @ 6100 rpm. Same horsepower
Power per litre:	78 Hp/l [worst than previous generation]
Torque:	168 Nm @ 4600 rpm.
Engine Model/Code:	KR More details about the engine KR
Engine displacement:	1781
Number of cylinders:	4
Engine configuration:	Inline
Number of valves per cylinder:	4
Fuel injection system:	Multi-port manifold injection
Engine aspiration:	Naturally aspirated engine
Valvetrain:	DOHC
Engine oil capacity:	4 l
Coolant:	6.5 l
Engine layout:	Front, Transverse
Cylinder Bore:	81 mm mm
Piston Stroke:	86.4 mm mm
Compression ratio:	10:1

Performance:
Fuel Type:	Petrol (Gasoline)
Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h:	8.8 sec
Acceleration 0 - 62 mph:	8.8 sec
Maximum speed:	204 km/h
Weight-to-power ratio:	7.3 kg/Hp, 137.6 Hp/tonne
Weight-to-torque ratio:	6 kg/Nm, 166.3 Nm/tonne
Acceleration 0 - 60 mph:	8.4 sec

Space:
Kerb Weight:	1010
Max. weight:	1470
Max load:	460
Trunk (boot) space - minimum:	575 l
Fuel tank capacity:	55 l

Size:
Length:	4385 mm mm [Same length.]
Width:	1675 mm mm [Same width.]
Height:	1415 mm mm [Same height.]
Wheelbase:	2475 mm mm [Same wheelbase.]
Front track:	1427 mm
Rear (Back) track:	1422 mm

Powertrain:
Drivetrain Architecture	The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the front wheels of the vehicle.
Drive wheel	Front wheel drive
Number of gears	5
Transmission type	Manual
Front brakes	Ventilated discs [Best for performance and cooling.]
Rear brakes	Disc
Steering type	Steering rack and pinion
Power steering	Hydraulic Steering
Tires size	185/60 R14
Wheel rims size	14
Front suspension	Independent type McPherson
Rear suspension	Coil spring