Get set for solid Jetta

By Ewan Kennedy
THE people at Volkswagen can get a bit miffed if their Jetta sedan is referred to as a Golf with a boot.
They really do consider it to be a totally separate model, seeing it as a larger car aimed at a different type of buyer to the Golf hatchback.
So with the latest Jetta, they have come up with a distinctly new shape.
Even viewed from head on, where the extended boot is not invisible, there’s no doubt this is a Jetta not a Golf.
This has been achieved by giving the Jetta a front end that’s reminiscent of the just superseded Golf GTI thus it has a large deep grille that flows down into a matching under-bumper intake.
It works exceptionally well visually and is likely to be a selling point in its own right.
The bold vertical look of the Jetta certainly looks nothing like the style of the Golf 6 which is now very horizontal in its theme.
The longer roof and distinctive boot shape gives it a larger, more elegant character than that of the sportier looking Golf.
Speaking of the boot, it’s a real beauty. Its capacity of 527 litres makes it larger than many a full-sized family sedan.
And the tall styling of the exterior pays off in a luggage area that’s squared off and generally easy to load.
As in all modern designs with a swept back rear window and a stumpy tail, the boot’s opening is relatively small, making it impossible to load bulky items.
A split-fold rear-seat backrest increases the carrying capacity and either leaves you with a three-or four-seat car.
Under the bonnet, Volkswagen offers a staggering array of engine choices which are all charged for greater efficiency.
The smallest petrol unit, at 1.4 litres, is both supercharged and turbocharged and produces 118kW.
Topping out the overall range is a sporty 2.0-litre petrol engine with 200 horsepower (147kW) that can jump from rest to 100km/h in only 7.2 seconds, putting it almost into the Golf GTI class.
Diesel engine options begin with a 77kW 1.6-litre powerplant that strong on torque, producing 250 Newton metres from 1500 to 2500 revs.
Its official fuel consumption measured by official Australian standards is just 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres.
Frankly, our initial road testing of the new Jetta out of the Melbourne area showed this 77kW diesel engine probably provides everything that the average buyer wants in the way of performance.
It doesn’t leap off the line like a sports vehicle but it does have plenty of grunt for overtaking and is able to climb hills in relatively high gears.
Two other turbo-diesel engines are also on the new Jetta price list. Both have a capacity of 2.0 litres but come in different states of tune to produce either 103 or 125 kilowatts (320 or 350 Nm).
On the road the new Volkswagen Jetta has that lovely solid feeling that has endeared VWs to Australia drivers for many decades. The car really does feel as though it’s from a larger and more expensive background. Comfort and quietness are very much part of the package as a result of this.
The front seats are a decent size and support well. The back seat is really set up for two people but three can be carried without any real problems provided they aren’t of larger than average girth.
Headroom is good and legroom is likely to suit most adults, though there are times when those in the back will need to borrow some leg space from the front occupants.
Handling is good and the typical front-wheel-drive understeer doesn’t start to show up until the car is travelling at cornering forces unlikely to be generated by the great majority of drivers.
With a price list starting at only $28,990 for the 1.6 77TDI, the latest Volkswagen Jetta puts you into a quality European machine with minimal damage to your motoring budget.
The complete Volkswagen Jetta range, with prices (excluding on-road costs) is: Jetta 1.6 77 kW TDI: $28,990 (manual), $31,490 (seven-speed DSG); Jetta 1.4 118 kW TSI: $30,990 (manual), $33,490 (seven-speed DSG); Jetta 2.0 103 kW TDI: $35,990 (six-speed DSG); Jetta 2.0 147 kW TSI Highline: $38,990 (six-speed DSG); Jetta 2.0 125 kW TDI Highline: $38,990 (six-speed DSG).
Inquire about a test drive at Berwick Volkswagen, 749b Princes Highway, Berwick.
Phone 8768 0188.