What are we Testing?
We took the VW Jetta 2.0L 125Kw TDi 6 SP DSG Highline for a brief drive. This is the new 2010 model and has a number of improvements. The MLP is $38,990
What’s its Purpose?
Stylish and economical smaller family sedan. The Golf you have when you don’t want a hatchback.
What’s Good & Not so Good?
Good Handling Dynamics
Combined 125Kw TDi engine / 6 Speed DSG Transmission
Enormous boot space
Not so good No Bluetooth
Rear seat leg room bit tight
Expensive options list
Outside
On the outside, the new Jetta bears a distinct resemblance to the larger Passat with its V-shape front end with radiator grille designed in chrome. The body coloured lower front and rear bumper trim as well as a standard Sports suspension with 15mm lowered ride height give it a sporty appearance along with the sporty 17” Avignon alloy wheels. The new Jetta comes with front and rear parking sensors with acoustic warning to assist drivers
The VW Jetta has an overall length of 4554mm, wheelbase of 2578mm, width of 1781mm and height of 1459 mm. Tare mass is 1503kg and the turning circle is 10.9m. The Jetta rides on 17-inch ‘Avignon” alloy wheels and 225/45 R17 tyres.
Inside, Comfort & Features
Inside the Jetta its all Volkswagen and Golf which means clean functional and well laid out. The front sports seats are comfortable and sitting directly in front of the driver is a 3 spoke leather rimmed steering wheel that is both reach and height adjustable with Audio and Multi-Function Display controls.
Behind the wheel are Gear shift paddles which to be honest are a waste of time. The revised instrument cluster design with white illumination is superb.
Entertainment is catered for by the standard RCD510 radio with 6 1/2 inch touch screen display, MP3 compatible SD card slot and 6 disc CD changer together with a total of 10 speakers in front and rear ensure superior sound quality.
There is a chilled glove box, clever storage areas everywhere and places for drink bottles in the centre and door bins.
One of the most impressive features is the positively cavernous boot area. With a volume of 527 litres the Jetta offers one of the largest cargo areas in its segment. As a standard feature, the rear seatback is asymmetrically split and folding and thanks to its optimized seatback pivot point it creates a continuous cargo floor when folded.
Safety
The Jetta was awarded a maximum five-star rating by the EuroNCAP crash-testing agency along with a maximum five-star safety rating by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).
Safety features include Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist, Hazard warning system triggered in emergency braking situation, Hill Start Assist (HSA) (with DSG, Driver and front passenger airbags, Driver and front passenger side airbags , Curtain airbags, front and rear. Traction control includes Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) and Electronic Stabilisation Program (ESP).
There are front safety optimised head restraints to reduce whiplash and height-adjustable head restraints for all three rear passengers
Performance, Engine, Transmission & Suspension etc
Powered by the 2.0 TSI engine, which produces power of 125 Kw @t 4200 rpm and torque of 350 @1750 – 2500rpm. The result of these figures is that the Jetta turns out to be a veritable sports sedan.
The Jetta can reach the 100 km/h mark in just 7.2 seconds; however it is also very efficient with average combined fuel consumption of just 5.9 litres per 100 kilometres. The Jetta 2.0 TSI comes standard with a 6-speed DSG transmission which runs wet in an oil bath. It is very easy to drive.
The Jetta will tow up to 1400Kg however the tow ball weight of 75kg is a limiting factor.
Summary
The VW Jetta is somewhat of a sleeper in the market. With its smooth and powerful 2.0L 125Kw diesel engine mated to the clever 6 speed DSG and loads of interior space the Jetta should be on everyone’s shopping list. It also happens to have the biggest boot I have seen in this range of cars. It’s enormous.
The key to the Jetta is just how easily it does everything and the engine transmission combination has a lot to do with that. It is the same as the Golf and that means it borders on brilliant. At a MLP of $38,990 it can be considered a bargain.
AAG Ratings
Family Cars - Small & Medium 
