When the second or third generation Volkswagen Jetta was launched, it was popular in Ireland but not in the UK. I recall asking an English journalist at the time if he had driven it, and his answer went something like, “Ah mate, it’s as well known over here as Sly Stallone’s brother.”
You see, the English loved the Golf but didn't see the point in what they regarded as its boring booted cousin.
Now, the latest generation Jetta has made its Irish debut. While instantly recognisable as a Volkswagen – and with the new brand front end styling like the very popular Passat – the fresh look at the sides is a little plain for me, especially with darker colours like black, grey, dark blue and brown.
Klaus Bischoff, head of Volkswagen Design, has adopted clean simplistic lines to give an uncomplicated exterior design. If the lessons of the big selling Comfortline Passat version with the chrome lift are ignored, then I think Herr Bischoff may have taken the new design language a chapter too far.
While every panel, inside and out, is new to the Jetta, the front end has the same VW family face as the new Passat.
Styling inside is similar to the Golf, with a new centre console, entertainment and climate control systems, and steering wheel design among the updates.
In addition, the new Jetta has grown in length by 90mm, with its wheelbase extended by 70mm. The benefit of this is an increase in rear legroom over the outgoing model.
The Jetta retains its reputation of being well-built, and Volkswagen says it will prove as reliable and consistent as the version it succeeds. As with the outgoing Jetta, the new car combines the practicality of being able to seat five adults with a large boot, and a comprehensive range of standard safety features including six airbags, and Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP ).
The sixth generation Jetta offers greater efficiency and fewer emissions, and is powered by a range of advanced and fuel efficient petrol and diesel engines, from a 1.2 TSI 105 bhp to a 2.0TDI 140 bhp, both within VRT Band B.
However, the biggest seller will be its most fuel efficient engine, the new 1.6 TDI 105 bhp, as found in the new Passat. Official fuel economy figures for a combined cycle is 63 mpg or 4.5 Litres per 100 km, and it is in Band A.
The new Jetta is available in three trim levels, Trendline, Comfortline and Highline, with the entry prices for the 1.2 TSI starting from €21,985, and the 1.6 litre diesel starting from €23,725.
Standard specification includes climatic air-conditioning, a multi-function leather steering wheel with aluminium decorative inserts, a multi-function display, electric windows front and rear, and ESP.
The second level trim, the Comfortline has a price tag of €25,095. The new Jetta does everything it says on the tin, but after experiencing the new Passat 1.6 TDi, I would go for the bigger brother in Comfortline for €2,260 more.
The Passat is a better looking, bigger car. I believe it will also have that much or more of a better residual value in three years than the Jetta will provide.
Getting back to my English media colleague, Volkswagen need to give buyers as many reasons as possible to go for a Jetta – rather than have it squeezed between two giants such as Golf and Passat. Check the Jetta out for yourself and see if you agree.
