Skip advert
Advertisement

Volkswagen Jetta: Second report

Practical, classy VW Jetta saloon has really grown on our family man

You can really get to know a car when you take a couple of weeks off work. But I didn’t subject our Volkswagen Jetta to a punishing Continental road trip – instead, my two weeks at home in London during the Olympics threw up a different set of challenges for the classy saloon.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Practicality was key for me on my vacation. With an overgrown allotment to deal with, some planned home improvements and numerous visitors to stay, there were more trips to the supermarket and DIY stores than the beach. Happily, the Jetta’s boot coped with virtually anything we could throw in it.

A simple cargo net made transporting bottles (or in my case tins of paint) a risk-free procedure, while on the occasions I needed to head down to my allotment to chop back the jungle of weeds, the boot swallowed my petrol strimmer with space to spare. Plus, the ski hatch enabled me to easily slide the longer items that home improvements sometimes require into the cabin without having to fold down the 60:40 split rear seats.

In fact, the Jetta’s big boot has only been beaten once, when I needed to collect a small sideboard bought on eBay. There was more than enough room in the VW, but the narrow opening of the saloon tailgate meant the unit wouldn’t fit in, so we had to resort to my father-in-law’s Ford Mondeo estate.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

CR-V

2023 Honda

CR-V

40,439 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £23,795
View CR-V
CR-V

2023 Honda

CR-V

28,316 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £20,995
View CR-V
CX-5

2023 Mazda

CX-5

37,361 milesAutomaticDiesel2.2L

Cash £22,799
View CX-5
T-Cross

2023 Volkswagen

T-Cross

31,851 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £14,249
View T-Cross

The Jetta hasn’t spent all its time fetching and carrying, though. Due to Olympic traffic restrictions, we headed away from the capital for our days out. No matter who was in the back, everyone commented on the huge amount of space, while the air vents at the rear of the centre console kept passengers cool in the recent hot spell.

So what about the car’s downsides? Well, after I complained about rear visibility in the rain in my previous report, a friendly Auto Express reader E-mailed and suggested applying RainX to the glass. This has helped, although the torrential rain seems to have abated for the time being.

The only other problem with the Jetta is its reputation in the UK. The name just doesn’t appear to excite people I have spoken to. This is odd, because I know the cars are popular in the US and are seen as quite ‘cool’ for college kids to drive. It’s time to bring some of that image over here, because if ever a car deserved a classic VW ad campaign, it’s the Jetta.

Our view

“I’ve never understood who the Jetta is aimed at. In the UK, family buyers prefer versatile hatches; saloons only sell if they have an upmarket badge.”James Disdale, Road test editor

Your view

“The more you drive a Jetta, the more its qualities shine. I planned to buy a Skoda Yeti, but this is more spacious and better from behind the wheel.”Ajit Matthew, via www.autoexpress.co.uk

Skip advert
Advertisement
Creative director

​​Darren looks after Auto Express magazine, planning new content, overseeing the design, layout and photography, and managing the production team. He has been working on Auto Express for more than 30 years under the ownership of United News and Media, Dennis Publishing, Autovia and Carwow.

New & used car deals

Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £4,614 off RRP*Used from £9,699
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,038 off RRP*Used from £13,218
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £1,655 off RRP*Used from £15,700
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £1,864 off RRP*Used from £6,700
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: 10k miles a year in Cupra’s Terramar for under £300 a month
Cupra Terramar - front full width

Car Deal of the Day: 10k miles a year in Cupra’s Terramar for under £300 a month

The Cupra Terramar is an appealing family SUV that looks stylish but offers plenty of practicality. It’s our Deal of the Day for July 5
News
5 Jul 2025
New Volvo XC60 2025 facelift review: big-selling SUV gets a new lease of life
Volvo XC60 facelift - front tracking

New Volvo XC60 2025 facelift review: big-selling SUV gets a new lease of life

This refreshed Swedish SUV focuses on familiar areas of strength to take on BMW and Audi
Road tests
4 Jul 2025
Car Deal of the Day: MG ZS gives a big SUV feel for a miniscule £194 a month
MG ZS - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: MG ZS gives a big SUV feel for a miniscule £194 a month

The MG ZS is an easy car to like and live with. It’s our Deal of the Day for 3 July
News
3 Jul 2025