Known as the Jetta (and previously the Bora), there has long been a saloon version of the popular Volkswagen Golf available to buyers. It’s never sold in vast numbers here, but in some nations, a saloon body style is still sought after. Surprisingly, the Jetta doesn’t actually share any exterior bodywork with the Golf, as VW looks to make it stand-out as a model in its own right.

In 2014 this design was further tweaked, improving aerodynamic efficiency by 10 per cent. Interior trim was also tweaked and the option of Blind Spot Detection with Rear Traffic Alert was added, along with updated petrol and diesel engines.

Performance

Volkswagen’s engine line-up is highly competitive, so the Jetta owners are well catered for. The petrol 1.4-litre TSI comes with either 123bhp or 148bhp, is very quiet and smooth and offers plenty of performance. Thanks to their turbocharger, power comes in quite low down the rev range, so petrol Jetta’s feel like they have plenty of get up and go.

Diesel engines will be a popular choice, and there’s now a 2.0-litre with either 108bhp or 148bhp. We tested the latter, which gets the Jetta from 0-62mph in 8.9 seconds and feels rather brisk. It’s probably more power than the Jetta needs, but this makes it feel effortless to drive and a relaxing motorway companion. Every version comes with a manual gearbox, but both the diesels and the higher-powered petrol can be fitted with a DSG automatic gearbox. Our test car came so equipped, and the auto did a good job of choosing gears. 

Ride and Handling

These slightly woollier responses do make the Jetta very stress-free to drive

The Jetta is based on the Mk6 Golf, so it does without Volkswagen’s latest weight-saving measures. It’s also fitted with quite soft suspension, so feels as comfortable and competent as you’d expect for a Golf-based model, without ever being exciting. The steering is well-weighted but slightly vague, and not as sharp as newer rivals.  On the flipside, these slightly woollier responses do make the Jetta very stress-free to drive, with larger bumps soaked up well. It feels particularly at home on the motorway, where wind noise and tyre roar are mostly kept at bay and the engine hums quietly.

Interior and Equipment

Small saloon cars might not be overly popular in the UK, but Volkswagen has sold over 14 million Jetta's since it first arrived in 1979. It's also VW's best-selling car in the USA.

It’s perhaps a sign of VW’s interior design nous that the Jetta’s interior is still pretty good, despite its generation-old roots. The materials feel of a high quality, particularly around the gauges and upper dashboard, while the switches are sturdy and logically laid out. It’s not exciting though, even the staid Passat has more flair. The main differentiator compared with a Golf is the Jetta’s copious rear legroom, with plenty of space for a couple of six-footers. The middle rear seat is unappealing though, it’s quite narrow and there’s a prominent transmission tunnel.  With 510-litres of luggage space, the boot is capable of swallowing a good few suitcases. It’s a bit trickier to use than a hatchback though, with a smaller loading aperture and frustrating handles to unclip the folding seat backs. Once folded down the seats don’t sit quite flat, but it does increase total space usefully.

Cost

The 108bhp 2.0-litre diesel is greenest, managing 70.6mpg

With every version of the Jetta returning more than 52mpg, it shouldn’t be too expensive to run. The 108bhp 2.0-litre diesel is greenest, managing 70.6mpg and emissions of 105g/km of CO2, costing only £20 each year in road tax. The 148bhp diesel returns 67.3mpg, however this does drop to 62.8 when the DSG automatic is fitted. Prices start from £18,815, so the Jetta costs significantly less than the £22,215 required for Volkswagen Passat ownership. Perhaps the biggest downfall is its potential residual value, with the strong-selling Golf likely to hold onto more of its value. On the flipside, larger discounts tend to be available when buying the Jetta, so bargains are available.

Our Verdict

The Volkswagen Jetta might not be as desirable as the Golf, but its substantial rear legroom and large boot could be just the ticket for some buyers. They should also be impressed by its smooth ride, refinement and powerful, efficient engines.