I was in a 2001 model, which was quite a bit more nimble and light than the current iteration. Plus that 1.8T was twice the engine of the current 2.5. Plus stick.
But yeah, they've gotten way heavier. Some people seem to like the "planted" feel of that-- the TDI is a better engine but heavier still. They're amazingly popular in the Bay Area, you see TDI wagons everywhere. I just hope all these nice young professionals who feel like they're doing the smart thing by buying into stolid, respectable German engineering are prepared for the $5,000 repair tabs coming their way. When something goes wrong on a modern VW, it goes spectacularly wrong.
It's funny, because I was really torn about getting the Mazda. I really liked the feel and road manners of the Jetta (when it was running). But when I test drove a used '12 TDI it felt like a Mercedes, and not in the good way. The over pampered, stuffy, off in your own little womb way. VWs have really nice interiors (before the parts stall falling off) and Mazda could take a few cues on that count. But I feel like the engineers at Mazda are having more fun, at this point. You know what I mean? Like they've got nothing to lose and are willing to go for broke. I seriously like that.