If you want car that’s affordable and functional – with more than a little flair – the Jetta is the car for you. While the Jetta is about the same size as most economy cars from Japan and the U.S., it has a proud German heritage that lets it stand a little bit taller. If you want premium German engineering on a budget, the Volkswagen Jetta is a car that delivers.

There are two body styles for the 2009 Jetta – sedan and Sportwagen. Both are available in S, SE, SEL and TDI trims – there’s also a Wolfsburg Edition of the sedan. The S and SE trims share their engine with the SEL sedan – a 2.5 liter, 5 cylinder with 170 horsepower. A five speed manual transmission is standard, with a six speed automatic optional. This engine is rated at 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, and has a PZEV emissions rating for California emissions states.

Additionally, a 2.0 liter, 4 cylinder, 200 horsepower turbocharged engine can be found in the Wolfsburg Edition sedan and the SEL Sportwagen. The standard transmission here is a six speed manual, but the DSG dual clutch automatic is available as an option. The fuel economy for this engine is about the same as for the 2.5 liter, with the automatic transmission option providing a minimal increase.

Finally, new clean diesel technology can be found in the TDI’s turbo diesel engine, which gets an estimated fuel economy of 30 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway with the standard six speed manual transmission. A DSG dual clutch automatic is also available, but lowers mileage by about 1 mpg in both categories.

For everyday driving, the Jetta offers a smooth and comfortable ride, as well as a fairly quiet cabin. The steering is accurate and weighted nicely, but enthusiastic cornering will result in significant body roll.

In addition, the TDI model has more than ample low end torque, which means that stop and go traffic around town will be a breeze. The TDI is a little noisier than the other models and may feel less forceful at the higher end, but after all is said and done, these are German cars and they handle well – just as you’d expect.

The Jetta S comes with some standard equipment that’s optional on other cars, including heated mirrors, air conditioning, heated front seats, cruise control, front seats with 8 way adjustment and power recline, and an 8 speaker stereo sound system. The SE also includes a leather wrapped steering wheel, alloy wheels and satellite radio with a 6 CD changer, while the Sportwagen SEL bumps up to dual zone automatic climate control, a trip computer, sunroof, upgraded speakers and a power driver seat with memory functions. Other options available for the Jetta include rear side airbags and an iPod interface. In addition, with any trim package except the S, you have the option of touchscreen navigation, USB port, DVD playback and 20 GB of hard drive space for music storage.

Stability control, traction control, anti lock disc brakes, full length side curtain airbags and front side airbags are standard equipment on the 2009 Jetta, and crash test ratings are good – the NHTSA awarded 4 of 5 stars to the sedan and Sportwagen for front crash protection. For side protection, both received a perfect 5 star rating.

Finally, the interior of the Jetta is attractive and – more important in a family car – easy to clean. Controls for the stereo and climate are easy to use and straightforward, and you’ll love the cool blue instrument panel lights.