Follow me on twitter or Instagram @DanielCalbacho

Article written by guest blogger Curt Raubenheimer

My initial impression…

I recently got to test the facelifted Volkswagen Jetta. Personally, I struggled a bit differentiating it from her predecessor. But if you stick both models side-by-side and play “spot the difference” (like you did when you were a kid at junior primary), you’ll be able to point out the mild change to the front grille and the new rear bumper. Apart from a couple of other tweaks, this version also comes with separate LED DRL’s.

I have to say though, I always find it a bit anticlimactic when a replacement so similarly resembles the vehicle it is superseding, but I suppose that is just my opinion - take it or leave it. After all, it’s just a facelift and not a whole new Jetta. The Jetta after all is one of VW’s top sellers, so why fix it- if it ain’t broke?

Getting to know the car…

Some of the biggest changes, and for which VW has been criticised in the past on previous versions, are the suspension (the facelift now comes with independent suspension all-round giving an improved ride) and the dash - the old, hard and nasty plastic has been replaced with soft touch materials, more polished knobs and buttons and a sporty new instrument cluster. There are other fine detailing enhancements if you are prepared to climb the derivatives ladder, i.e. Comfortline or Highline. Another improvement is that the new Jetta comes with rear disc brakes (only on the front in the previous version).

In summary, the interior is a big upgrade, but didn’t blow me away. The car I had was also optioned with what VW calls “Sienna” leather, which I also found, for lack of a better word, “plasticy” and tough.

What does set the Jetta apart from its competitors in this segment is the fact that it’s the biggest. There is ample space in the rear - my test subjects were a 6’2” driver and a 5’9” passenger in the back - and I had no complaints. There is also an enormous 510 litres of boot space. 

The particular model on test was the 1.4 TSI Highline DSG (118kW). Although not the most economical 1.4 I have ever driven (even though the stated combined cycle is 6l/100km), I was impressed with the power and responsiveness from this engine. I do love the smooth gear changes you observe with the seven speed double clutch gearbox, but do find the DSG a tad jerky taking off in first or reverse gear.

The vehicle also had a couple of optional extras like bi-xenon headlights with dynamic bending cornering function, rear-view camera, Keyless Access locking and starting system, “Sienna” leather as I previously mentioned, a sunroof and front and rear PDC - all nice to have, but before you know, you have a pricey 1.4! 

What I liked:

• Performance.
• Feel of the ride.
• Seamless gear changes (once you get going).

What I’m not crazy for:

• Jerky take off and reversing.
• Tricky Bluetooth.
• Fussy start button - you have to hold it down until the car starts instead of just pushing it once.
• Pricey extras.

The figures and extra stuff…

The Jetta scores five stars in the Euro NCAP.

The entire range comes standard with a 3yr/120 000km manufacturer’s warranty, 12yr anti-corrosion warranty and 5yr/90 000km AutoMotion Service Plan (service intervals are at 15 000km).

And in conclusion…

Everyone knows that buying a VW means quality and reliability. The numbers speak for themselves: since its launch in South Africa in 1980, 273 000 units of the Jetta have been sold, and worldwide, that figure is 14 million cars since 1979 (925 000 last year alone). Money talks and VW have definitely gotten it right in terms of who and what they wanted to appeal to – they’re smiling all the way to the bank.

For me though, simplistically bland - she isn’t going to score many points in the swimsuit category this time around.

www.vw.co.za