? Good value for money. New models are big, roomy and luxurious.
? Uninspiring interior and weak performance on older models. Unoriginal Golf inspired shape.
The Jetta is a four-door saloon version of the VW Golf designed mainly for the US market which historically has bought more saloons than the much more Hatchback friendly European market. It was a successful move for VW as the Jetta became the best-selling European car in North America, including Canada. Since the original version was launched in 1980 the Jetta has grown in size, power and performance with each new version. By the mid 1990s a successful redesign built on the less than powerful earlier models and quickly established Jetta as a number one choice in the compact saloon market with a wide range of diesel, estate and sports versions on offer. The 2005 onwards fifth-generation model was much larger still, making the Jetta an increasingly popular mid luxury saloon and transforming it into more of a midsize car than a compact vehicle. From this point onwards Jetta also became a standardized badge across Europe, as well as America, the Jetta replacing the Bora in the UK.
While VW has made Jettas since 1979 - in 1992 it decided to re-brand the car for the European market as a Vento. This had a disastrous effect on sales. A further re-brand in Europe occurred in 1999. This time the Jetta was re-launched as a VW Bora. 2006 saw the return of the more standardised Jetta. To add to the confusion both the current and previous-generation Jettas were being made in Mexico. The reason for this is VW often likes to maintain two generations of a vehicle in production while the old version is still an attractive alternative for some.
Over 6.5 million of the Jetta?s predecessors had been sold worldwide when the Jetta update was launched in the UK. At the start of 2006 it replaced the Bora and signalled the revival of the Jetta in Europe. This was also a step by VW to introduce a worldwide, uniform name for its mid saloon range, using the one already used in the USA. By now the Jetta was VW?s best-selling car and the best-selling overall European car in the US so to prevent confusion the name was standardised. The modern Jetta?s main design feature is its distinctive chrome grille, whose ?V? shape echoes those already seen on the Golf GTI and new Passat. The rear end also reflects current Volkswagen design themes, and features fast-acting LED lights. The Jetta is a larger vehicle than the Bora that it will replace, for greater presence and improved interior space. At 4.56 m long, it has also grown by 18.2 cm, while width has increased by 2.5 cm. The height has also increased by 1.5 cm to 1.46 m, while the wheelbase is 6.5 cm longer than before, at 2.58 m. The luggage area has also increased in size, now offering 527 litres of space ? 72 litres more than the Bora. For extra flexibility, the 60/40 split rear back-rest can be folded forwards to form an almost flat floor up to the front seats. The new Jetta was offered with a choice of five engines ? three petrol and two diesel. [P]
Engine 1984cc, four cylinders
Power 148bhp @ 6000rpm
Torque 147 lb ft @ 3500rpm
Transmission Six-speed manual
Fuel 34.4mpg (combined cycle)
CO2 197g/km
Acceleration 0-62mph: 9.2sec
Top speed 131mph
3 rear head restraints
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) with HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assist)
Alarm with interior protection
Automatic boot opening
3 rear three-point seat belts
Body-coloured door handles
Automatic dimming interior rear-view mirror
Automatic coming/leaving home lighting function
Body-coloured bumpers and bumper strips
Body-coloured door mirrors with integrated indicators incorporating LED technology
Chrome plated gear knob surround, glovebox handle and handbrake button
Brake pad wear indicator
Cup holder, front x 2, rear x 1 (for 1.0 litre bottles)
Chrome-plated radiator grille surround
Disc brakes, front and rear (front ventilated)
Curtain airbag system, for front and rear passengers
Door side impact protection
Dust and pollen filter
Driver's and front passenger's airbags with passenger's airbag deactivation switch
Exterior temperature gauge
Air conditioning, 'Climatic' semi-automatic control
Front footwell illumination
Dusk sensor, automatic driving lights
Driver's and front passenger's WOKS (whiplash optimised head restraints)
Electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors
Remote central locking with 2 folding keys
High level 3rd brake light
Height and reach adjustable steering wheel
Split folding rear seat backrests 60:40
Storage compartment in roof console
Heated rear window with timer deactivation
Instrument lighting, blue adjustable panel illumination
ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme) including EDL (Electronic Differential Lock) and ASR (Traction Control)
Electric windows, front and rear
Electronic engine immobiliser
Galvanised body
Front seat side impact airbags
Halogen clear headlights, range adjustable
Glovebox, cooled, lockable and illuminated
Heat insulating tinted glass
Height-adjustable front three-point seat belts with tensioners
Interior lighting with delay
Isofix child seat preparation (for 2 rear child seats
Luggage compartment light
Non smoking pack
Multifunction computer (Midline)
Rain sensor
Rear lights incorporating LED technology
Power assisted steering, speed sensitive
Rigid safety cell with front and rear crumple zones
Remote interior fuel flap opener
Warning buzzer and light for front seat belts if unfastened
Reflectors in all doors
Warning 'lights on' buzzer
Storage tray on dashboard
Storage compartments in front doors (for 1.0 litre bottle)
Two-tone horn
Vanity mirrors, illuminated
Volkswagen Assistance
Engine - Combined, Extra-urban, Urban, Trim level(s), CO2 emission, g/km, Output, PS
1.6 ltr FSI 115 170 S, SE 30.4/9.3 48.7/5.8 39.8/7.1
2.0 ltr T-FSI 200 194 Sport 25.4/11.1 44.8/6.3 34.9/8.1
2.0 ltr T-FSI DSG 200 (192) Sport (26.2/10.8) (44.8/6.3) (35.3/8.0)
1.9 ltr TDI 105 143 S, SE 42.2/6.7 61.4/4.6 53.3/5.3
1.9 ltr TDI DSG 105 (159) S, SE (37.2/7.6) (56.5/5.0) (47.9/5.9)
2.0 ltr TDI 140 157 SE, Sport 38.7/7.3 57.6/4.9 48.7/5.8
2.0 ltr TDI DSG 140 (168) SE, Sport (34.9/8.1) (55.4/5.1) (45.6/6.2)
1.6 ltr FSI 115 165 S, SE 31.4/9.0 50.4/5.6 40.9/6.9
1.4 ltr TSI 140 169 SE 29.7/9.5 48.7/5.8 39.8/7.1
1.4 ltr TSI DSG 140 (169) SE (29.1/9.7) (50.4/5.6) (39.8/7.1)
1.4 ltr TSI 170 174 Sport 29.1/9.7 47.1/6.0 38.7/7.3
1.4 ltr TSI DSG 170 (174) Sport (28.5/9.9) (48.7/5.8) (38.7/7.3)
2.0 ltr T-FSI 200 189 Sport 25.7/11.0 45.6/6.2 35.3/8.0
2.0 ltr T-FSI DSG 200 (188) Sport (26.4/10.7) (45.6/6.2) (35.8/7.9)
1.9 ltr TDI 105 137 S, SE 42.8/6.6 62.8/4.5 54.3/5.2
1.9 ltr TDI DSG 105 (156) S, SE (37.2/7.6) (56.5/5.0) (47.9/5.9)
2.0 ltr TDI 140 148 SE, Sport 39.8/7.1 58.9/4.8 50.4/5.6
2.0 ltr TDI DSG 140 (160) SE, Sport (35.3/8.0) (56.5/5.0) (46.3/6.1)
