Volkswagen Jetta saloon review - CarBuyer

The latest Volkswagen Jetta shares its looks with the larger Volkswagen Passat, as VW tries to distance its compact saloon from the Golf that it shares many of its components with.

The latest model has a longer wheelbase than the Volkswagen Golf, so there's more cabin space, while the car looks smarter, thanks to a shorter rear overhang for the saloon boot. As with the rest of the VW range, the Jetta is built to a high standard from high quality materials. Engines include the firm's 1.4 TSI petrol, plus 1.6 and 2.0-litre TDI diesels. The 1.6 TDI is also offered with VW's BlueMotion Technology pack, which saves fuel by turning the engine off when the car is in neutral.

[loganimotakahoshi]

Wow.. Mat has come a long way from these kinds of reviews to Carwow drag races and reviews. Good for you Mat!

[adamcurtis]

I love our Jetta SE 1.6 TDI Bluemotion. For a family of four it's been brilliant. I always wanted a Golf but the Jetta made more practical and financial sense for our family. Low tax (£20/yr), good mpg (50-60 mpg), low maintenance costs, low insurance group (12). Looks good, lovely to drive, comfortable on long journeys, huge boot, quiet on the road, a solid performer. 5 Star rated in Euro NCAP crash tests. It's a real shame about the perceived negative image, but the plus side is that second hand models are incredible value for money. We purchased a 12 plate in 2015, 14k miles on the clock, for just £10k...

[Dasas]

Super review as always, short, professional and exactly about the main important aspects of this car. Keep going on this Matt!

[Megadriver]

The Jetta is the "safe bet" when it comes to cars. It's blemish free and also completely featureless. It's like a Gin and Tonic, without the Gin, but in a *really* clean glass. It's the missionary position of cars.

[chikmaginet]

I have the Jetta and I must say its amazing!

[Ianmundo]

I always notice a car that includes air vents for the rear passengers, this is a BIG plus in providing passenger comfort and something that CarBuyer should be highlighting when it is included in a car.

[eternalhalloween]

It's actually a rather impressive car.

[Stichting-AAP]

I drove a Kia last week, The Ceed and it was dark. I was looking through the window at the road and at the same time i was looking for the arconditioning knob and the volume for the radio. It was impossible.. After you tried something like that, you can really appreciate the simplicity of the ergonomics in VW's.

[a.tanner]

I drive the Chinese version of this (over here it’s called the VW Sagitar) and it’s really a nice car to drive. Good around town and on the motorway alike. The 1.4Tsi engine delivers a good amount of power and in sport mode it accelerates well.

[cameronkfraser]

I own the same car, but with the 2.0L TDI. It's a pretty fun engine, lots of torque.

[xmMoyocoyatzin]

We live in an age where money is tight. The car looks good and the price is right. That translates into sales. The clanky rough nature of the car means it's more durable to wear and tear compared to high precision manufacturing which tends to break within the first couple of months after buying it, and then cost another fortune to fix. Many Ford model cars feel the same as the Jetta and don't "look so exacting" on their interior design either; but people still love the fact that they are durable as hell and can take a lot of abuse.

[PetarVN]

I live in seattle and my mom has a 2.5 170 Hp 5 speed manual SE. It's a great long distance cruiser. we spent 5 hours in it on a trip to Oregon. It was great! although the gas milage could be better, It more than makes up on the twisty roads of the oregon coast!
In 11 months the car only has 3, 500 miles on it but it most definetley will be getting a lot more!
:-)

[judacomadc]

Nissan's plant in Aguascalientes has the fastest press machine in the world processing 16 parts per minute and CIVAC in Cuernavac is one of world's most productive automotive plants

[ridgoro]

I think I can, VW Group has recently invested in Mexico a new assembly plant for Audi Q3 SUVs. (BTW Jettas and Beetles are assembled in Mexico)

[DaveDVideoMaker]

Was that the one Jeremy Clarkson showed in Top Gear? It uses the 2.0 TDI.

[stuffthings]

I got a low mileage hi spec 2014 one for 5000 quids. And it's brilliant. 67mpg though has yet to be achieved

[luismdelangel]

I own that Jetta, and I'm in Mexico haha. I was waiting for this review for a long time ago. I'm a big fan of your reviews. And yes, the downgrades from the previous jetta to this one is mainly because they needed to cut off costs to make it attractive to American market. The car you are testing it's actually German built. A 100% German car and that's because you are in Europe. :D

[sebastianrivera-tirado]

Just an American popping in to see how the European Jetta stacks up to the ones sold in North America. I’m honestly disappointed that there isn’t any rear AC vents in the one sold in North America. The 1.8L TSI engine, however, does have some get up and go to it, as does the 2.5L 5 cylinder.

[PSDUDE]

Just found a old auto trader episode with matt in it looking at a 5 series that had been in a lake

[gazzxr]

Matt! You listend to me again! Thank you!