VW Jetta, standing still while others excel

So this is the new VW Jetta, looks much the same as a Golf, right, just with a boot? Wrong. This new sixth generation Jetta avoids 'East Rand syndrome' by not inbreeding with its cousin, at all, in fact not one body panel is shared..What it does share is the stuff underneath, and considering the Golf 7's remarkable all round ability it should be a good thing. Unfortunately the 'new' Jetta uses old Golf-tech, so compared with newer VW stuff – and most rivals – the Jetta feels out-classed from the start..It handles safely enough without any nasty surprises, but the steering feels slow and a fraction heavy at low speed, while the front tyres surrender grip sooner than the Golf, for example..There's the full range of VW motors on option, ranging from a 1.2 TSI petrol through to the 2.0 TDI diesel unit. I had a go in the 1.4 TSI mated with VW's 'outstanding' seven speed DSG double clutch gearbox. The motor is great, it must be said, with torque throughout the range making it exceptionally drivable in all conditions. I'm not so convinced by the gearbox, which feels slow and dim-witted on pull off. Once you're up to speed it's nice and slick though. Be careful with the throttle and its frugal too..Climb inside and the similarities between the Jetta and Golf are more apparent. However once again it's not the current Mk7 Golf that the Jetta resembles, but the previous model. VW has kept interior revisions to a minimum, with new instruments, steering wheel and different fabric trim. Not enough to keep up with the Jones's in my opinion..The Jetta's trademark is, of course, its boot that offers a maximum capacity of 510 litres, which is 130-litres up on the Golf hatch, and of course the rear seats fold flat. There's also more space in the rear of the Jetta than the Golf should you wish to transport bigger humans back there. It won't swallow large items like the hatch will though, like a fridge for example. Also carrying pets in the back of a hatch is somewhat more acceptable..Overall the Jetta smacks of cost-cutting which is very un-VW like. Failure to keep the Jetta's technology moving with the times means it's been swamped by basically all the competition, which are not only better to drive and nicer to be inside of, but also far more interesting. So while it remains a solid offering, I'd look elsewhere in this segment..Price: R308 400Engine: 1390cc four cylinder turbo charged petrolPower (kW): 90Torque (Nm): 200Acceleration (0-100km/h): 9.8Top speed (km/h): 202Consumption (l/100km): 6.0 (claimed)Service: 5 year/90,000km service plan

VW Jetta, standing still while others excel

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