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Volkswagen Jetta

VW’s latest mid-sized saloon attempts to step out of Golf’s shadow and make an impact of its own

Volkswagen Jetta

Text: Owen Mildenhall / Photos: Otis Clay

January 2011

Is it time for this saloon to 
‘Jetta-son’ its Golf-with-a-boot image? Our love of the hatch means that the Jetta is often overlooked 
– but VW claims the latest, sixth-
generation variant bridges the gap between the Golf and Passat better than ever before, creating an attractive stand-alone model.

Do we agree? Well, it is bigger and better looking, with styling which bears less resemblance to the Golf’s. In fact, visually the Jetta is more akin to the Passat. It’s 90mm longer than the car it replaces, and the new proportions help give the smallest saloon in the VW range a more grown-up look. The familiar grille and front-end treatment are complemented by a strong shoulder line and neat rear, all of which give the Jetta an upmarket edge that was missing from previous generations.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the VW Jetta

 

Every panel is new and, crucially, different from the Golf’s, and the wheelbase is stretched by 73mm. This means better back legroom; 
in fact, rear passengers are as well catered for as they are in the class above. On top of that, the 510-litre boot is huge, and 60/40 split-fold seats aid functionality. As you’d expect inside, quality is hard to fault and the cabin boasts the same no-nonsense, easy-to-live-with 
layout as the Golf, giving a great driving position and logical dash.

It’s this combination of space, quality and style that VW hopes will maintain the Jetta’s popularity in North America. Annual US sales pass the 110,000 mark – this vastly outnumbers the 15,000 Golfs bought there each year – so it’s easy to see which customers the model has to appeal to.

However, Volkswagen is also keen to ensure the new Jetta is well suited to European tastes. While all variants are produced at the firm’s plant in Puebla, Mexico, our versions get multi-link rear suspension, electric power-steering and subtle styling changes. This means the Euro-spec Jetta is considerably 
different to the US variant launched in New York last autumn.

With the first UK deliveries due in May, the firm’s usual mix of TSI and TDI engines is available. Petrol options will be the 120bhp and 158bhp 1.4-litre TSI, while initial diesel choices will be the 104bhp 1.6-litre and 138bhp 2.0 TDI. 

It’s the entry-level 1.6-litre that will be the biggest seller – it is 
predicted to account for nearly one-third of sales. With only 104bhp, performance is leisurely and there’s some clatter under load, but refinement at speed is decent.

The five-speed gearbox is 
available exclusively in BlueMotion Technology guise, and its long ratios take some getting used to. However, with standard stop-start, 67mpg economy and 109g/km CO2 emissions, the Jetta will appeal to company and private buyers alike.

Nicely weighted, linear steering combined with decent body control and consistent grip levels mean the car shares the composure of its Golf cousin in the corners. Its stretched wheelbase hasn’t ruined the ride, either; in fact, on the admittedly smooth roads of our French drive route, the suspension coped well and easily soaked up imperfections. If you’re looking for a good small family car with a boot, the Jetta shouldn’t be ignored.

For an alternative review of the latest Volkswagen Jetta visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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8 Comments

why so bland

i have always liked volkswagens u just cannot beat the quality.
this car is soo bland its unbelivable

By petrolhead94 on 24 January, 2011, 3:56pm

I like it!

Ok maybe it's a little bland but it's an unpretentious, no nonsense car. It's serious engineering! This car to me, beats all it's competitors in it's category because of it's sheer excellence in Engineering!

By JTravolta77 on 24 January, 2011, 7:25pm

Better looking than the Passat in my opinion. I'd be very happy to have one of these on my drive.

By IronChicken on 25 January, 2011, 9:12am

Bland is better.. and cheaper?

Reading in the weekend papers they stated that the new Ford Focus was Dearer than the Golf.
Now theirs a thing i thought i would never see.
This is a great opportunity for VW to massively improve its market share, and i for one will be buying VW for the first time when my car is due to be replaced.

By toycollector on 25 January, 2011, 11:11am

All the SAME!!!

Audi A4, VW badged? Can't believe VW, nothing but facelifts across the line. VW = 5 year old box + audi lights...

By baxter09 on 25 January, 2011, 9:48pm

Bland is good.

As I have stated often in these columns - I am not a fan of the current crop of 'wacky' designs, with gaping air intakes all over the place and diving rooflines that make impossible the carrying of 4 adults (which is what people my age do - friends and family are all adult now!) for anyone who cannot unscrew their head.
I like the VW image. Sober, refined . . er, handsome, is the term I think. You can keep your Foci and Fiestas, hideous both, your Audis with tasteless grilles, your Vauxhalls and Jaguars with random lumps of chrome. Give me a VW every time.

By pajbse on 26 January, 2011, 8:45pm

BORING

When you have given up on life there's always a Jetta.Yanks love them which say's it all.Dullsville old fashioned and boring

By Damienc on 27 January, 2011, 9:37am

hmmmm

Octavia vRS?

By vRSgordon on 3 June, 2011, 9:33am

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FIRST OPINION

    The fact that Brits love the hatchback means the Jetta will always play second fiddle to the Golf in the UK. However, the latest version is bigger, better-looking and a far superior stand-alone model than it was before. Its lengthened wheelbase delivers excellent rear legroom and gives more grown-up proportions. With unique panels and styling that’s further removed from the Golf’s, the Jetta is every inch the mini Passat. Composed in the corners and refined at speed, it’s good to drive and comfortable. And in 1.6-litre TDI BlueMotion Technology trim, it’s clean and cheap to run as well.

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £18,500
    Engine: 1,598cc
    Power: 104bhp
    Torque: 250Nm
    CO2: 109g/km
    Economy: 67mpg
    0-62mph: 11.7 seconds 
    Top speed: 118mph
    Equipment: Stop-start, six airbags, Isofix, daylight running lamps, air-conditioning, automatic boot opening, aux-in
    On sale: February
     
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