Volkswagen Jetta II (facelift 1987) 1.8 i (98 Hp) Syncro

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 3.0 / 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 143 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. It has moderate fuel consumption (~11.7 l/100km). Weighing only 1140 kg, it’s quite light. All‑wheel drive provides excellent grip, ideal for off‑road use. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 11.5 s). The top speed reaches 178 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 i (98 Hp) Syncro Verdict:

Performance Verdict

While slightly less powerful, the Syncro all-wheel-drive system enhances traction and stability, especially in adverse conditions.

Fuel Economy

Fuel consumption of 9.2 l/100 km is expected given the added weight and drivetrain losses of the Syncro system.

Best Use Case: Mixed / All-weather

Community Verdict

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

Allowed: 50% Neutral: 0% Issues: 50%

3 / 5

Based on AI analysis of 8 discussions

Read What Owners Say

👍 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

👍 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

👍 POSITIVE

Mk5 Jetta owner (2009, 2.5) for 4 years. Got the car at 120K miles, have put 65K miles on it. Besides electrical gremlins (which seem to be a common thing), and the pain of changing out the steering/suspension system myself (all of which would have been covered under "Preventative Maintenance," but the previous owner apparently didn't believe in such a thing), I've had no issues. No major drivetr

👎 NEGATIVE

ID.4, by far. That said, EVs are a cheat code for reliability. Go from like 2,000 moving parts in the drivetrain down to 20. My MK4 Beetle turbo and Jetta were plagued with electrical gremlins. MK5 GTI had injectors fail at low mileage and had the FSI cam follower issues. They were fun cars though.

👎 NEGATIVE

My mkIV jetta 2.0. I beat the shit out of that car. It was a gls so all the comfort needed and sunroof. Then got a jetta mkV 2.5 engine. That thing is a beast. Am beating the thing out of it. It has 200k miles. And then i got a 2011 tiguan. That girl sucking me dry. Water pump and oil cooler (mixed oil in coolant), main fuse stopped working (red steering wheel icon but could cruise) so had to ord

👎 NEGATIVE

99 Jetta TDI...only added dieselgeeks steel skid plate and upgraded bigger injectors. Ran great and got 52mpg if I kept off throttle but was really fun quick for diesel so averaged around 39/41...only real issues was dash lights were intermittent at times and window regulators were junk....let my wifes brother drive it and he blew the turbo...so I stupidly sold it...drive a 13 Passat TDI now...lo

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 (facelift 1987): 1987 - 1991).

General:
Brand:	Volkswagen
Model:	Jetta
Generation:	II (facelift 1987)
Modification (Engine):	1.8 i (98 Hp) Syncro
Start of production:	1988
End of production:	1991
Powertrain Architecture:	Internal Combustion engine
Body type:	Sedan
Seats:	5
Doors:	4

Engine:
Power:	98 Hp @ 5400 rpm. Same horsepower
Power per litre:	55 Hp/l [Same length.]
Torque:	143 Nm @ 3000 rpm.
Engine Model/Code:	1P More details about the engine 1P
Engine displacement:	1781
Number of cylinders:	4
Engine configuration:	Inline
Number of valves per cylinder:	2
Fuel injection system:	Multi-port manifold injection
Engine aspiration:	Naturally aspirated engine
Valvetrain:	SOHC
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:	9:1

Performance:
Fuel Type:	Petrol (Gasoline)
Fuel consumption (economy) - urban:	11.7 l/100 km
Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban:	6.9 l/100 km
Fuel consumption (economy) - combined:	9.2 l/100 km
Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h:	11.5 sec
Acceleration 0 - 62 mph:	11.5 sec
Maximum speed:	178 km/h
Weight-to-power ratio:	11.6 kg/Hp, 86 Hp/tonne
Weight-to-torque ratio:	8 kg/Nm, 125.4 Nm/tonne
Acceleration 0 - 60 mph:	10.9 sec

Space:
Kerb Weight:	1140
Max. weight:	1620
Max load:	480
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:
Drive wheel	All wheel drive (4x4)
Number of gears	5
Transmission type	Manual
Front brakes	Disc [bad for performance and cooling.]
Rear brakes	Drum [bad for performance and cooling.]
Assisting systems	ABS (Anti-lock braking system)
Steering type	Steering rack and pinion
Power steering	Hydraulic Steering
Tires size	185/70 R14
Wheel rims size	14
Front suspension	Spring-loaded rack
Rear suspension	Spring-loaded rack