Volkswagen Jetta 1.2 TSI Review: Jet-ta Packed

What we like:

Smart looks inside and out

slightly more spacious than Golf on the inside

humongous boot

proven and efficient engines and transmissions

What we dislike:

Diesel engines will not likely be offered here

The Euro Jetta gets an interior that is better made from softer and higher quality trim and materials than its US counterpart. The design of the new dashboard is a variation of the Mk VI Golf's with a centre console that is angled slightly towards the driver. The ergonomics are perfectly sound - the driving position is spot on while the controls and familiar switches are placed logically and where you'd expect them to be. Other marked differences from the Golf's interior include bigger cup holders in between the front seats, presumably for the Americans' love for the Big Gulp.

With its wheelbase extended by 73mm over its predecessor's, the new model offers even more room for rear passengers. Knee room is more than sufficient for the average sized adults and is marginally more than in the slightly shorter Golf. All in all, the Jetta's cabin will give its occupants a classy and elegant interior ambience that is worthy of an even more expensive model.

The 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 Jetta models will come with split/fold seatbacks for further versatility.

The Jetta's safety features will once again, make it one of the safest cars among its competitors. In addition to a stiffer body shell and six standard airbags, the Jetta is also equipped with new, more accurate crash sensors for even more effective deployment of the airbags and seat belt pretensioners in the event of a shunt. Singapore bound Jetta models are set to offer a new keyless operation feature among other kit in addition to those specified on the current models.

The new Jetta offers all the virtues of its popular predecessor like its fuel sipping nature, high levels of safety, strong performance and high standards of build quality while taking leaps forward in the way it looks inside and out. So it seems that Volkswagen will have a winner in its hands when the Jetta lands here in Singapore in June then.

Credits: Story by Raymond Lai in Nice, France Photos by Volkswagen and Raymond Lai