7 February 2011
Sitting in between the new Golf, and Passat in size, the Jetta may carry a hefty price premium over the many Japanese products in the small-medium segment, but it does offer a distinctive European prestige and elegance over its rivals.
Resemblances to both Golf and Passat are evident and it sits on classy 16-inch alloys.
Interior appointments are typical Volkswagen and are simple to use.
Much of the interior features are direct carry-overs from the Golf, on which the Jetta's platform is based. There are some hard surfaces, but it's mostly pleasing to the eye.
Cloth insert in the door trims also smarten up the décor, and attention to detail and build quality is noticeable throughout. The seats are very firm but supportive and the height adjustment for the driver and front passenger is generous so ingress and egress will prove simple for the less mobile.
Additional storage facilities can also be found under the front seats to stow away valuables from site.
There is enough space in the rear for only two adults; the outer positions make use of deep foot wells to deliver maximum roominess. A bulky tunnel however reduces legroom, a pitfall of the platform being shared with all-wheel drive Volkswagen models.
Under the bonnet of our test vehicle resides 110kW 2.0 litre petrol engine, making use of Volkswagen's efficient FSI technology, and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
The engine sounds unusually harsh for a petrol unit. Several members of the technical team initially mistook the power unit for a diesel.
This comes as somewhat of a surprise, as the same engine, in other Volkswagen adaptations tested showed impressive noise suppression.
It also lacked low down torque, and we found it necessary to keep the engine higher in the rev range to optimise performance. Fortunately this is easily achieved with the responsiveness of the six-speed transmission, particularly when using the manual sports mode.
Over mostly urban running, we still achieved 9.3 L/100 km, although we have previously achieved even greater efficiency than factory recommendations from this powerplant in other applications.
For our money though we would find it hard to go past the 2.0 TDI diesel engine, available for the Jetta at a $2000 premium.
The diesel offers improved torque and more spirited performance, as well as the brilliant six-speed DSG electronic gearbox that the petrol is not optioned with.
The Jetta's suspension seems to have longer, softer springing than in the Golf which keeps the wheels in contact with the road longer over corrugations and around town the ride ironed out creases and small bumps well for a vehicle of its size.
On the open road some roll through corners was noted and the compromise between ride comfort and agility appeared to be geared more toward the urban driver.
Our test vehicle was fitted with ESP as a further driver aid, an additional cost option it adds $1500 to the vehicle's price, but it's worth hunting ESP equipped models in the used market.
The fact the diesel powered model is fitted with ESP as standard only further cements it as the better buy.
Storage space was a highlight, and the voluminous boot put many larger sedans to shame with 527 litres of space with the seats upright.