Our opinion
We like
Thrifty turbo-diesel, boot space, quality
Room for improvement
Somehow looks a little less Euro than you’d expect, diesel a little noisy at idle
GoAuto 13/10/2006
THE Jetta name may be new to Australians, but the car we previously knew as the Volkswagen Bora has been familiar in other markets around the world through five generations.
Contrived to appeal to those not seeking the utility of the Golf’s hatchback design, the Jetta is a step down from the new transverse-engined Passat which shares many of the new small VW’s mechanicals – including some engines, transmissions and the basic suspension design.
In fact the Jetta, from the front view, closely resembles the bigger car with its new-look chrome-bordered grille and a version of Audi’s “full-frame” look in which the upper and lower openings blend together to form an aggressively distinctive appearance.
Like the Passat and Golf, the Jetta is also available with VW’s 2.0-litre FSI petrol engine, or the 2.0-litre TDI turbo-diesel – but where both Golf and Passat also now offer a 3.2-litre all-wheel drive V6, the top of the range Jetta is the 147 kW turbo version of the petrol FSI, the same as that used in the Golf GTI.
Transmission choices include a six-speed manual (2.0 FSI and 2.0 TDI) and a six-speed auto (2.0 FSI), while the Volkswagen six-speed DSG transmission is available optionally on the TDI and is standard with the FSI turbo. Confused?
Take a look at Audi’s transmission lineup where five-speed manuals and a constantly variable CVT transmission are also thrown into the mix . . .
Basic form in this case isn’t too basic, placing the sedan above the hatchback
Golf in a perceived and real sense with standard equipment including things like a refined version of VW’s electronic stability control incorporating proactive, constant monitoring of the car’s dynamic stability status, a tyre pressure indicator, "Low Dynamic ESP", in which the ABS intervenes even in minimally unstable conditions, and "Full Rear Axle Deceleration" in which extra braking force is applied to the back wheels if they are outside the ABS range and the front wheels are not. Essentially a refinement of brake assist.
Our test Jetta was a six-speed manual TDI presented in basic form with manually adjusted velour seats, eight-speaker radio with single CD player, rear parking sensors and standard 16-inch alloy wheels.
The base Jetta also gets dual-zone climate-control air-conditioning, auto-dimming interior mirror, heated external mirrors and cruise control, while the instrument panel is aglow at night with cool blue lighting and red-lit switches to set the appropriate VW ambience.
The big story, as with the new Passat, is the amount of extra space compared with the Bora.
In a body claimed to be torsionally stronger by 15 per cent, the Jetta is longer, wider and taller, picking up the same 2580mm wheelbase as the new Golf, which is 65mm more than the Bora. This means there is an extra 65mm of overall legroom, as much as 35mm more interior width and an increase of 24mm in rear seat headroom. The driver and front-seat passenger benefit from 22mm extra seat travel – which actually does cut into what’s available for those in the back.
There’s the usual array of storage compartments, including front door pockets with decent-size, one-litre bottle holders, a sunglasses holder above the rearview mirror and pockets behind the front seats. But the Jetta goes a step further with chillable front glovebox and centre console compartment, as well as pull-out drawers under the front seats.
And, while the Jetta lacks the versatility of the Golf’s hatchback, it partly compensates with a surprisingly massive boot, bigger than you’ll find in many large cars and accessible and extendable via a split fold rear seat. At 527 litres it’s bigger than a Ford Falcon by 23 litres and still holds a full-size steel spare wheel.
No cringe required when you’re faced with a situation where five adults – and their luggage - need transport.
Unsurprisingly, the Jetta drives much like a Golf, except it’s probably a little quieter because of the sedan configuration.
The now-familiar turbo-diesel is right at home here, pulling the quite hefty
small sedan (at 1515kg it barely weighs any less than an equivalent Passat) along with ease and frugality. VW’s claim is that the Jetta TDI consumes an average 5.8L/100km of diesel fuel, which is enough to exceed 900km on a 55-litre tankful, maybe approaching 1000km with a little care.
As in the Golf, the 103kW four-cylinder multi-valve, DOHC direct injection turbo-diesel is not the quietest of its genre but settles down once the Jetta is under way so you’d barely know it was there.
It’s the 320 Nm produced between 1750 and 2500 rpm that really make the difference here, producing a virtually instant surge just off idling speed and pulling strongly right through to the arrival of maximum kilowatts at 4000rpm.
As with any diesel though, the best driving style is to make full use of the torque and forget about trying to rev it out much beyond around 3500rpm. Do this frequently and you’ll start to lose the diesel advantage.
With this sort of torque, the six gearbox ratios seem a bit like overkill, but it’s still nice to have a ratio at hand at all speeds.
The Jetta steers nicely too, if a little light at the wheel, and rides comfortably on its 205/55 R16 tyres. It’s responsive enough via the electrically assisted steering, but the emphasis is clearly on pleasing passengers rather than the driver. If you want this, best opt for the sports suspension which lowers the ride height by 15mm and, while you’re at it, fit the bigger 18 x 7½” sports wheels with 225/40 R18 tyres.
As in the Golf, the driver is comfortably located on a manually adjusted – for height, reach and backrest angle – velour-trimmed “comfort” seat with lumbar support and faces a two-way adjustable steering wheel. The back seat gets a fold-down centre armrest and features a 60-40 split double-fold arrangement to make the most of that huge boot.
Like all VWs, the interior is trimmed with precision and taste and, similarly to the Golf, offers a good deal of passenger space for a small car, as well as the highest levels of passive safety. Dual front and side airbags, as well as full-length curtain airbags and active front head restraints tell a reassuring story.
So how does the Volkswagen Jetta measure up?
Well, if you like the look of the new Golf but crave a sedan, then it’s the perfect choice. The only thing you might baulk at is the slightly more chintzy style, particularly at the front where chrome sparkles in surprising profusion.
