The first Jetta, even Volkswagen employees admit, was nothing more than a “Golf with a rucksack”.
After that mistake many years ago, VW has gone to great lengths to make the Jetta more than just a sedan version of the hatchback Golf and, for the most part, it has succeeded.
For me, the issue isn’t whether the Jetta 5 is different enough from the Golf 5, but rather whether it is a convincing enough improvement on Jetta 4, which is regarded as an impressively solid medium-sized sedan.
The Jetta 5 scores nicely in that it is indeed sufficiently different from the Golf 5 and it offers some nifty advancements in comparison to the Jetta 4.
I’m probably far more critical of the new Jetta than most simply because I own a Jetta 4 V5 (the 2,3-litre 125kW model), and I obviously have high expectations of the new model as my V5 has always been a pleasure to drive.
The new Jetta has a modern look and, like other cars in this category, it has quite a sharply sloping bonnet. So despite the increased length, it doesn’t look much longer than its predecessor.
VW tells us that chrome is back and that’s the reason behind the somewhat bling grille, which gives the car a bit of a sporty look.
The rear of the car (especially the light clusters) resemebles the new Passat too much for my liking. Not that the rear of the Passat is particularly awful, but I would prefer for the Jetta to have a look all of its own, which I realise is difficult given that it is based, to some degree, on the Golf and the Passat.
Overall, the design works and the Jetta looks suitably attractive — given its size.
The Jetta 5 is a big car and it was only when I had to parallel park it that I realised how big. To put things in perspective, it has more interior room and boot space than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the new BMW 3-Series. Yet, because the bonnet isn’t very long, the Jetta successfully hides its true dimensions.
There are six engines in the range — four petrol and two diesel — and they range in price from R172 930 for the base 1,6-litre Trendline to R260 080 for the 2,0-litre TFSi Sportline DSG model.
Prices are up from the previous range, but VW insists that buyers are getting much more than they did on the Jetta 4, such as the standard six airbags throughout the range.
The Jetta 5’s suspension is said to be 15% stiffer than Jetta 4 and consists of a revised front strut axle with a lower wishbone arrangement as well as a multi-link rear axle, which is similar to the new Golf’s. The ride is therefore exceptionally comfortable in its class.
During the Jetta 5 launch, we drove the 1,6-litre, the 1,9 TDi, the 2,0 TDi and the range-topping 2,0 TFSi.
The 75kW 1,6-litre felt quick for a base model, yet the 77kW 1,9 TDi (with 250Nm of torque) was a bit lethargic and had a disappointing turbo lag. The 2,0 TDi with 103kW of power and a healthy 320Nm of torque from as low down as 1 750rpm was impressive and showed off VW’s trademark transmission, which enabled smooth and quick gear changes.
Of course, the star of the line-up is the 2,0 TFSi, which has the same engine as the Golf GTi with 147kW of what felt like uninterrupted power.
My test unit after the launch was the 2,0 TFSi and it is a phenomenal vehicle. Whether you’re cruising along on the highway or throwing it through the most demanding of twisties, it handles the variations with supreme confidence.
The 17-inch 225mm tyres stick to the tar and the 2,0 TFSi feels as exhilarating and enjoyable as the respected GTi. Of course, it’s a thirsty car and enthusiastic driving returned an average fuel consumption figure of about 13-litres/100km.
My only complaint is that VW should have given it a significantly different look to the rest of the range, as the GTi is instantly recognisable as the top of the Golf range, but the equally capable 2,0 T FSi looks much like any other Jetta 5.
In conclusion, the Jetta 5 is a worthy replacement of the Jetta 4 and displays the high-build quality, exceptional engineering and comfort that will, no doubt, reinforce the established popularity of the Jetta range.