As stated in earlier threads, VW is quirky (to put it mildly) regarding towing specs for their cars in the US. The TDI powered Golf Estate (aka Jetta Sportwagen here) with the 2.0 Liter diesel and DSG 6 speed transmission in the UK is rated for towing 1600KG with a braked trailer. That indicates to me that any limitations here are not "technical".

While I don't know that I'd plan on using this vehicle to tow really long distances across the western US (e.g. from NJ to Hobbs), I've used it extensively through the Mid-Atlantic and New England including some pretty significant hill work. Have never even seen it labor even on long inclines.

That said, I wouldn't want to speculate on what would happen if there were to be a warranty claim. I'm already over 5 years and 60,000 miles, so I'm outside that window. Never had a single non-routine even thus far.

FWIW, my previous VW was the larger V6 Passat with 4 Motion (AWD). Thing was bullet proof up until about 120,000, then it started to blow up left and right. Bailed on it when the next repair bill was going to be over $1,000.

P3



On Monday, February 16, 2015 at 12:23:20 AM UTC-5, wrote:
On Friday, February 13, 2015 at 12:40:07 PM UTC-8, vontresc wrote:
Looking at getting a new vehicle this spring, and am currently looking into a Jetta Sportwagon TDI. Any of you guys use one to tow your ship? Good or bad?

Peter

I'm pretty sure the DSG transmission doesn't allow towing. I'm sure it WILL tow, but with a hitch on the back you may have warranty issues. If you're not under warranty, I wouldn't want to have to repair that transmission......I can't imagine how much that thing costs to repair.

I have a 2013 tdi wagon and love the car but have 5k left on the powertrain and it's making me nervous, and I don't tow.