Volkswagen Jetta Sport 1.4 TSI (DSG) Review: Ready for the Jet-ta set

What we like:

Smart looks inside and out

slightly more spacious than Golf on the inside

humongous boot

proven and efficient engines and transmissions

not significantly pricier than its Asian rivals

What we dislike:

Some very obvious cost cutting measures

Like the exterior, the Jetta's cabin is slightly redesigned when compared to the Golf's but it very much shares the latter's familiar switch gear and instruments among other details. The driving position is spot on thanks to a wide variety of manual adjustments for the driver's seat and steering wheel and all the controls are perfectly placed for a comfortable drive.

The Jetta's slightly longer wheelbase means it offers extra knee room for rear passengers when compared to the Golf. Rear passengers are further spoilt by the air-con vents, a relatively rarity in the Cat A class.

The Jetta is strong when it comes to utility. There are large door bins, a cubbyhole under the front armrest and so on. The 510-litre boot, needless to say, is huge and well shaped while the loading lip is at bumper level for ease of loading and unloading. In addition, all Jettas come with 60/40 split/fold seatbacks for even more versatility.

The Jetta Sport comes with additional RNS 510 touch screen radio navigation system headunit with 30GB hard drive and KESSY keyless entry and start/stop over the Comfort model's storage pockets on the front seatbacks, leather multi-function steering wheel, leather gearshift grip, cruise control, auto headlamps, rain sensors and electrically folding wing mirrors.

In most areas, the Jetta feels every bit as well built and high quality as its Golf sibling but close scrutiny of the interior will reveal that Volkswagen has employed some cost cutting measures even on the Euro model here when compared to the Golf in some noticeable areas. The Jetta's centre armrest lack height adjustment while the plastics on the door cards look and feel plain hard - the latter is seriously un-Volkswagen like to say the least. In addition, the Jetta doesn't have its predecessor's or the Golf's bonnet gas struts while its boot hinges don't look as sophisticated and hence as compact as the old model's.

The new Jetta then, might not be as well thought out as the Golf in some areas on the quality front but this will hardly matter to most of its target audience, who want a generously sized Cat A saloon model from a Continental brand that looks handsome, offers strong performance and is extremely affordable to fuel and run. Just like in North America, the Jetta will definitely play a significant role in Volkswagen's ever-stronger sales position here in Singapore this year.

Credits: Story and photos by Raymond Lai