Volkswagen Jetta 2010 Review - International

Volkswagen Jetta MY11

Overall rating: 3.0/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 4.0/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.0/5.0
Safety: 3.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 2.5/5.0
X-factor: 3.0/5.0

About our ratings

OVERVIEW
>> Cost-cutter Jetta
Volkswagen readily admits its current Jetta mid-sizer was too expensive for its most sought-after market, the USA. With Audi and Porsche now firmly in the fold, the more common maker is free to get real.

VW spokesmen admitted during the new Jetta's launch that the Americans generally thought the previous model overpriced, and in a segment where "the difference in $500 means it's us or them" the company decided it was crunch time. A 'crunch' of at least 10 per cent in US sticker price...

The medium car market, where VW Jetta competes, is far from busy locally. Australians have not only downsized from large car offerings but have missed medium cars altogether jumping directly to small cars like Toyota's Corolla, Mazda's 3 and VW's own Golf hatch.

Jetta is meant to bring big things for Volkswagen in the US, where the tag "German engineering" marks distinction against a wide choice of local and Japanese options. According to VW reps, city councillors allowed San Francisco's Bay Bridge -- busy even during the weekend we encountered it -- to be closed for ten minutes to film promotional video for the new model.

VW's lineup in North America is slightly thinner than ours (no Polo or commercial offerings). The Routan peoplemover, Touareg, Golf and Jetta models account for the lion's share of VW's sales in the US, which last year totalled 213,000 units. VW wants to more than triple that, to 800,000, and expects a more affordable Jetta will help increase its stakes -- 50 per cent of its unit sales in NA last year.

Locally, the Jetta also stands to do better with this new, truer (three-box design) sedan version.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
>> Less for less
While the launch featured US-spec cars, VW execs said the invite was to give journalists from 20 countries an impression of the new Jetta "rather than cope with the content from the internet or other sources of what the Americans are writing..." Fair call.

VW Australia couldn't specify details on locally-delivered versions but ours will resemble the outgoing offering which is a relatively lavish option in its segment. We won't get the hard plastic surfaces applied to the US versions, for example. Even the sub-$20K Polo sold here has soft touch points for door trim and dashboard, so expect the same when this all-new Jetta arrives locally.

In terms of cabin equipment, the new Jetta comes with the same layout and driver aid equipment as the Golf 6 model. The US versions we drove had a decent satnav system and onboard trip computer/display, and well-working climate control in San Fran and its surrounds' 30-degrees heat and traffic.

Pricing, model lineup and specifications for Australian-delivered Jetta models will be announced closer to local launch. We don't expect the offer to be all that different from the current lineup with a choice of frugal petrol and diesel engines, and two or perhaps three trim levels.

Enhancements to interior space are most noticeable in the rear. Up front it's still quite close width-wise but passengers have good variation in the adjustable seat settings to allow comfort. There's room for two adults in the back, even with the front seats set rearmost.

The dimensions help VW's argument that this is a real midsize sedan and no longer just a "booted Golf". The Jetta is longer than the hatchback (4199mm) and rear track is wider, at 1532mm.

The cabin and dash styling will be familiar to Golf 6 buyers/shoppers. Boot size is 510 litres -- firmly in large car territory Down Under. The rear 60:40 splitfold seat allows access to the cargo area and an added degree of flexibility.

The Jetta's exterior styling is now more in line with the remaining VW models but to our eyes the car has lost some of its styling flair by adopting the corporate 'face'.

MECHANICAL
>> Proven products
Volkswagen knows that even Americans are prepared to downsize if it means saving money. A range of smaller engines has helped Jetta's price adjustment in the USA and the brand currently can't get enough twin-charge engines to make available for the "walk-in" market.

The models we tried in SF included the 2.5-litre five-cylinder petrol engine -- "conceptually derived from the V10 engine of the Lamborghini Gallardo" -- and 2.0-litre petrol and diesel versions.

The five-cylinder is not on the agenda for the local line-up. And frankly that's no real loss -- it's essentially a placeholder for the US market which demands a 2.5-litre engine increment from its medium cars. Volkswagen's 'smart' 2.0-litre engines are better liked Down Under.

Our powertrain range is expected to start with the 77TDI engine, similar to that found in the Golf 6. The European 1.2-litre petrol version isn't likely either but we'll be offered the rest of the expanded range, including the 90TSI 1.4-litre petrol and 147TSI 2.0-litre petrol engines, and the 103TDI and 2.0-litre diesel option. The 118TSI is also a potential starter.

Differences between Australian delivery Jettas and the US models will reach as far as rear suspension -- and not just settings. It's almost certain Australia, like Europe, will get a full independent multilink rear suspension system in contrast to the US's cheaper torsion beam set-up.

All models come standard with a six-speed manual. VW's six (or seven-gear if it's matched to the 90 or 118kW TSI models) DSG will be made available as an option.

SAFETY
>> Braces and belts
VW covers all bases in standard form. Six airbag protection -- driver and front passenger airbags, side airbags in front and side curtain airbags in front and rear -- with the option of additional rear side protection; crash-optimised head restraints in all five places (front with anti-whiplash protection) and ABS with brake assist and ESP with trailer stabilisation.

COMPETITORS
>> Plenty o'choice
Now it's really stepping up to the medium segment the Jetta faces segment leader Toyota Camry and close combatants Mazda6 and Honda Euro Accord. Subaru Liberty is also close on spec options and price.

Choice among mid-size models includes 'cheapies' like Hyundai i45, Holden Epica and Suzuki Kizashi, and Skoda's small/medium, the Octavia range.

ON THE ROAD
>> Room for improvement
The US-spec Jetta is (and will be) different mechanically and equipment-wise than those delivered to Australia but the launch gave us the opportunity to try out the new dimensions of the upcoming model. As mentioned the most notable difference in cabin space is in the rear. It still resembles a small car environment in the front, with not much shoulder room between driver and co, but legroom is good and seating was comfortable over the three-odd hour drive route.

With front seats pushed back fully there is still decent leg and foot room for adults in the rear. Boot space isn't so generous but the rear seats fold for larger cargo items.

We drove the US-only 2.5-litre five-cylinder petrol model and likely-for-Oz 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol and diesel offerings. All are decent powerplants but the diesel was most impressive for its quiet operation and response down low.

In US-spec the Jetta's ride is compromised by suspension without enough rebound damping, rendering it too 'floaty' over bumps. Again, expect a different version for Australian roads when it is released late next year.

The writer has always wanted to drive through those crazy up and down intersections dealing with San Fran's topography, as featured in the movies, and the city has several so the Jetta's suspension tune for that market is likely spot on.

We didn't get to try the Serpentine road which is probably a good thing, because engineers mentioned the Americans don't ask much of lateral control... And the US-spec Jetta is frankly lacking... But the roads we encountered were mainly long and straight and on these the Jetta is a smooth operator for cruising duties. It's also nimble enough around city streets with light steering feel.

We're promised the Aussie Jetta will be a very different car in chassis terms -- it needs to be. With that qualifier, we're confident the new VW sedan will be popular Down Under. While it is no longer a standout in the style stakes, it will find favour for its sedan accommodation and the fact it isn't yet another Golf...

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at www.carsales.mobi