Volkswagen Jetta review
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The Golf-based Volkswagen Jetta saloon is practical and economical, but it's getting on a bit now
The Volkswagen Jetta name badge has been around for nearly as long as the Golf’s, albeit with a brief change in the UK to Vento, then Bora, part way through its life. While early versions of the Jetta were just a Golf with a boot, the current sixth-generation is marketed as a standalone model.
Much of the running gear is still shared with the hatch, although it’s carried over from the previous model; the latest Jetta doesn’t benefit from the advanced MQB technology of the Mk7 Golf.
With global sales just shy of a million cars in 2013, the Volkswagen Jetta is big business. However, it’s not such hot property in the UK, where we only bought around 2,000 examples during the same period. So does this sensible saloon deserve to be the forgotten car of VW’s UK line-up, or are we missing out on a hidden gem?
The Volkswagen Jetta is best described as a saloon version of the Golf. Under the bonnet you'll find VW’s established line up of TDI and TSI engines feature, while at the rear, the 510-litre boot is huge. Opt for the 1.6-litre TDI BlueMotion Technology and you’ll get low emissions and a small thirst for fuel.
Our choice: Jetta 2.0-litre TDI 110 (PS) SE
Styling
It’s difficult for the Volkswagen Jetta to be branded anything other than ‘a Golf with a boot’, since it shares so many styling cues with its hatchback cousin. However, it’s only under the skin where the sixth-generation Jetta has anything in common with the
Golf, because none of its body panels is interchangeable with the hatch.
Still, the straight lines and upright shape of the Jetta are uninspiring, especially when you park it next to rivals like the rakish Kia Optima. The new tail-lights at the rear are the most obvious change.
Climb inside, and the similarities between the Jetta and Golf are more apparent. However, it’s not the current Mk7 Golf that the Jetta resembles, but the previous model. VW has kept interior revisions to a minimum, with new instruments, steering wheel and different fabric trim, but the black plastic, dark upholstery and white-on-black instruments all look a bit plain when compared to the Kia.
Driving
The Jetta doesn’t sit on the MQB platform that underpins cars like the current Golf, Audi A3 and our 2013 Car of the Year, the SEAT Leon; it’s based instead on previous-generation Golf foundations. And although European Jettas get multi-link rear suspension and electric power-steering – US models made do with a simple torsion beam and hydraulic assistance until very recently – it feels outclassed.
Compared to newer VW Group products and the sharp-handling rival Mazda 3, the Jetta feels a bit wooden. It handles safely without any nasty vices, but the steering does feel slow and a fraction heavy at low speed, while the front tyres surrender grip sooner than the Mazda 3’s. The Sport model’s 15mm lower suspension gives the ride a slightly firm edge and even in this set-up the Jetta never feels as agile, responsive or grippy as the Mazda.
The 123bhp and 147bhp versions of the 1.4-litre TSI petrol offer decent performance, while diesel fans can choose between 108bhp 2.0-litre TDI and punchy 147bhp 2.0-litre TDI units. The well established 2.0-litre TDI engine is punchy and ensures there’s enough performance on offer.
Reliability
Volkswagen ranked 19th out of 33 manufacturers in our Driver Power 2014 survey, with a surprising 26th finish for reliability, which contrasts sharply with its reputation for durability. However, the Jetta uses proven engines and components, plus it’s produced in vast numbers. Stick to the maintenance schedule, though, and the Jetta should run on without a hitch.
Standard safety equipment includes curtain airbags, but rear side airbags are a £275 option. You have to pay £465 to add parking sensors, and the Jetta seems a little under equipped.
It was tested by Euro NCAP in 2011, where it earned a five-star rating and a 94 per cent score for occupant protection. The updated car sees extra safety kit added to the options list, such as blind-spot monitoring with rear-traffic alert.
Practicality
The Jetta’s trademark long rear overhang makes space for a vast boot that offers a maximum capacity of 510 litres, which is 130-litres up on the Golf hatch. Even better is the fact that it unlocks and swings open automatically with the press of a button on the key fob.
The back seats have a 60:40 fold, while there’s a through-load facility behind the centre armrest, although the plastic cover doesn’t clip in place and falls out pretty easily.
Back seat space is reasonable, and there are rear air vents, while the large back windows make up for the dark interior trim and give a greater sense of space than is actually on offer.
Up front, there’s plenty of wheel and seat adjustment for the driver to get comfortable. The deep door bins and twin cup-holders behind the gearlever are handy, although the rear one can become blocked by the sliding armrest on top of the central storage bin.
Running Costs
The most efficient Jetta in the line-up is the 2.0-litre TDI with 108bhp. Stop-start features as standard and this engine returns a claimed combined 70.6mpg. CO2 figures are low at 105g/km. Even the more powerful 2.0-litre TDI is claimed to return 67.3mpg on the combined cycle.
Our experts predict the Jetta will retain 40.1 per cent of its value, meaning you’ll wave goodbye to £14,160 over three years. At least the company’s fixed-price servicing scheme looks better value for money, at just £299 for three years.
For an alternative review of the latest Volkswagen Jetta Saloon visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk
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The doors do not fit properly in these cars, i have sat in the back of the saloon Jetta, the doors let a lot of air from outside in when on motorway. During the winter this was very cold! Pay a little more and get a passat!