Volkswagen Jetta 1.4 TSI Comfort (DSG) Review: Euro Fighters
Ford’s new Focus meets its toughest opposition ever in the form of the well-liked Jetta. Raymond Lai plays moderator.
Inside the Focus, there’s an all-new cabin that not only looks more stylish than previously but is also made from higher quality materials and better screwed together. The use of silver accents throughout the dashboard have lifted overall cabin ambience a tad while the exposed surfaces on the dash feel soft to the touch and even surpasses the Jetta’s in some areas. The cabin also features blue ambient lighting that is a rarity in this class of car.
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 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.
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 controls for the Focus’s stereo and infotainment systems are inspired by the Fiesta’s while the controls for the dual zone climate control are placed low on the dash just in front of the gear lever. The high mounted screen on the dash displays settings for the stereo among other information while the main instruments are simple and easy to read at a glance. The quality and look of the switchgear has improved over the old car’s overall but the secondary buttons on the steering wheel which activate the voice control among other functions just look too shiny and lack quality.
The Jetta’s slightly longer wheelbase means it offers extra knee room for rear passengers when compared to not only the Golf but its Focus competitor here as well. Rear passengers in the Focus will have sufficient leg and headroom and won’t feel claustrophobic even on long rides but the more generously sized Jetta ultimately offers more generous rear accommodation. The Jetta’s rear passengers are further spoilt by the air-con vents, a relative rarity in the Cat A class that the Focus lacks.
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 Titanium spec Focus tested here is lavishly equipped with standard kit that even the Jetta Comfort will be envy of. These include auto folding side mirrors, auto headlights and wipers, self-dimming rear view mirror, see-me-home lights, dual zone climate control, trip computer, rear parking sensors, factory fitted stereo with Bluetooth and USB connectivity, bi-Xenon headlamps, cruise control, 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless start and so on.
There are many things to like about the Focus. These include its styling, road holding manners and its well-equipped package. The Focus has some downsides too though – it can do with more performance and it can be roomier on the inside.
Ditto the Jetta. The Jetta will be liked for its strong forced aspirated performance, its efficient nature and its roomy interior. The Jetta though, offers handling dynamics that are not as entertaining as the Focus’s, looks ordinary next to he Focus and is somehow a tad un-Volkswagen-like in some perceived quality areas. It’s really tough to pick a choice from these two then but the Jetta’s variety of talents ultimately matter more for a mass-market saloon model.
Credits: Story and photos by Raymond Lai
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