Road Tests

Handbook: Volkswagen Jetta

Time 5:18 am, January 6, 2012

9245185e-786e-4740-8e62-c8b3ddc46a0cThe new Jetta aims to be more grown up and lose the ‘Golf with a boot’ tag. James Batchelor reports

WHAT IS IT?

Previous saloon Golfs have had a fair crack at shaking off the ‘Golf with a boot’ description. This new Jetta aims to consign that description to the history books once and for all by taking on the persona of a mini-Passat.


WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET?

There’s one petrol, a 1.4-litre TSI unit in 120bhp and 158bhp forms, and two diesels: a 104bhp 1.6-litre BlueMotion and a 138bhp, 2.0-litre unit.

screen-shot-2012-01-05-at-125715WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?


The range begins with the S model at£16,965 which comes with air con, an alarm and a four-speaker radio. The range tops out at £22,530 for the Sport which adds 17-inch alloys and a multifunction steering wheel.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

Despite its associations with the Golf, the good news is that it drives like a Passat. That means decent handling and refinement, just very little excitement. The 2.0-litre diesel is the best all-rounder.

WHAT DO THE PRESS THINK OF IT?

Autocar feel that if buyers want a more practical Golf, the Jetta is the answer and the only real reason for buying one. Top Gear said they’d rater plump for a Golf and put up with less practicality.

WHAT DO WE THINK OF IT?

It’s tricky – buyers will opt for the Jetta because they want a more practical Golf, but it’s not as good as a Golf. There’s very little to inspire ownership of the Jetta and for that reason we’d rather go for the Passat.

James Batchelor's avatar

James – or Batch as he’s known – started at Car Dealer in 2010, first as the work experience boy, eventually becoming editor in 2013. He worked for Auto Express as editor-at-large from 2014 and was the face of Carbuyer’s YouTube reviews. In 2020, he went freelance and now writes for a number of national titles and contributes regularly to Car Dealer. In October 2021 he became Car Dealer's associate editor.



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