Volkswagen Jetta : An Assured Sedan with Premium Driving Quality

The Volkswagen Jetta was introduced to North America in 1979 and has since been continuously refined to become the company's best-selling model across their entire range. However, its popularity hasn't yet come close to more familiar compact sedan competitors such as the Honda Civic or Hyundai Elantra.

The latest release of the Jetta aims to fix that situation, offering a mix of cutting-edge tech, a spacious cabin, and a great driving experience. Does it succeed?

What to Expect: Volkswagen Jetta

Styling and Exterior

In these days of SUV domination, it makes a welcome change to see a four-door sedan with sleek coupe styling and no off-road pretensions.

The Jetta is elegant and attractive without being too flashy. The fastback roofline, sculpted panels, and broad grille add an edge to the broadly conservative outline, making this feel like a grown-up car with assured style rather than a brash attention seeker.

Performance and Handling

All current models of the Jetta are built around the same basic powertrain configuration. A 1.4L turbo engine provides 147 horsepower and 187lb-ft of torque, passed through a choice of either 8-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission to standard front-wheel drive.

Both transmission options provide a quietly confident drive with plenty of power in reserve, although as expected the 8-speed auto configuration offers a smoother overall experience with punchier acceleration.

Volkswagen has a deserved reputation for building cars with accurate handling, and the Jetta keeps fully to this tradition. The 17" wheels with disc brakes and torsion-beam suspension provide an accurate and responsive feel, for both tightly winding roads and straight-line passing.

Fuel Economy

As a smaller coupe, fuel economy is impressive, particularly with the auto transmission switched to Eco mode. Highway figures are 5.9L / 100km, with ratings of 7.8 in the city and 7.0 combined.

Interior Comfort and Technology

For a smaller sedan, the Jetta is surprisingly spacious, with generous headroom and legroom even in the rear. Depending on the trim level, seats are available in fabric, leatherette, and leather, all of which provide comfort and solid support. Heated front seats are standard across the range, with heated rear seats an available option.

The driving experience is further enhanced by the quietness of the cabin interior, giving a poised and confident feel even at higher revs.

The 8" touchscreen provides a sharp and clear display with responsive operation, making it easy to control the multimedia options, Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. The overall console layout and design is in line with the external appearance: quietly confident and stylish without being over the top.

And despite the Jetta being a sedan rather than a hatchback or SUV, storage space is generous, offering a sizable 396 litres of trunk space.

Volkswagen Jetta: The Verdict

With its combination of premium driving appeal, advanced interior features, impressive fuel economy, and maturely elegant looks, the Jetta is a sedan to be reckoned with. Time will tell if the model finally overtakes its more established rivals, but with this latest release, Volkswagen has certainly given it its best shot. To know more, check out the latest 2021 Jetta here.