The Jetta's smooth body and formal contours are distinctive, a descendant
of Jettas past combined with the sophistication of the '90s. It's a functional
look, albeit somewhat dated.
Jetta sedans are available in four models: the practical GL, the loaded
GLS, the more powerful GLX and a new GT model. The four-cylinder Jetta
GT provides the visual appeal of the GLX without the more expensive VR6
engine, which adds up to significant savings--about $5000.
Volkswagen's Golf family shares chassis, engines and much of its character
with the Jetta lineup. The Golf line includes the sporty GTI, the more
powerful GTI-VR6, the unique Cabrio convertible and the four-door Golf
GL. With the exception of the Cabrio, the Golfs are hatchbacks, a configuration
that provides the cargo-carrying versatility of a small station wagon.
The four-cylinder engines, including a new turbodiesel that will be
available later in the year, provide performance that rates as no better
than ordinary.
The standard Jetta/Golf engine is a responsive 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder
that produces 115 hp. The cylinder head has been redesigned for 1997 for
smoother, quieter operation.
Last year Volkswagen introduced the TDI (turbo direct injection) diesel
engine, a $940 option on the Jetta and Golf. Small diesels are popular
in Europe because they deliver exceptional fuel economy and tireless durability,
but their performance is ho-hum.
The 2.8-liter VR6 is another story. It's technically a V6, but the angle
of the vee is so narrow--just 15 degrees--that the cylinder banks share
a common head. The result is a very compact powerplant that allows VW engineers
to pack six cylinders in a four-cylinder engine bay. The VR6 generates
172 hp and a lot of low-rpm pulling power.
Regardless of the model or engine ordered, all Jettas and Golfs come
standard with dual airbags, daytime running lights and child safety locks.
Antilock brakes are optional.
In addition to the VR6 engine, the Jetta GLX and Golf GTI VR6 share
a sports suspension and a high level of standard equipment, which includes
electronic traction control, bigger brakes, wider 15-inch wheels with high-performance tires and a rear spoiler.
he compact Jetta body belies its roomy interior. The Jetta is roomier
than a Honda Civic or Nissan Sentra sedan, and provides more headroom than
a Toyota Camry. Shorter drivers will appreciate the height-adjustable front
seats.
Getting in and out is easy with front doors that open wide. The interior
serves up logically laid out controls that have a high-quality feel and
the instruments are attractive and highly legible. Rubber-lined pockets
in the front and rear doors and at the sides of the front seats provide
a quiet place for odds and ends to ride. There's more trunk space than
a BMW 7-Series luxury sedan and the trunk lid lifts beyond vertical for
easy loading.
The $22,655 Jetta GLX we drove was loaded with air conditioning, cruise
control, power windows, mirrors and sunroof, plus the optional all-weather
package consisting of heated leather front seats and a heated windshield
washer nozzle. Our car also included an eight-speaker sound system, but
a 10-speaker Bose system will be standard equipment in the GLX later this
year.
A nifty central locking system comes standard on all Jettas and Golfs.
The central locking button on the dash locks and unlocks the doors, the
trunk and the fuel filler door. Turn the key once and it unlocks the driver's
door; turn it twice and it unlocks all the doors. Hold the key in the unlock
position and all windows and the sunroof open to quickly ventilate the
car on a hot day.
All Jettas are appointed with dual vanity mirrors, a lockable split-folding
rear seat back, folding armrest, three cup holders, rear heating ducts,
and an emergency repair toolkit.
The Jetta GLX is a lot of fun to drive and the source of much of that
fun resides under the hood. The VR6 engine revs well and propels the Jetta
quickly down winding roads, but strong mid-range response and a wide powerband
is what really sets the GLX apart from the other cars in its class.
The VR6 engine generates 85 percent of its pulling power at only 2000
rpm--much lower than most engines--and continues pulling right up to 6000
rpm.
Punch the gas pedal at any time and the Jetta GLX is an instant getaway
car. For example, the GLX can get away from an Acura Integra GS-R, a Nissan
200SX SE-R and a BMW 318ti. VW's VR6 is also one of the smoothest engines
in its class, and ongoing development has largely elminated the noise that
plagued earlier versions.
All Jettas offer a great balance of handling, driver feedback and ride
quality, the result of a rigid structure and finely tuned suspension. At
higher speeds, the Jetta is exceptionally stable, thanks to VW's track-correcting
rear suspension bushings that minimize unwanted steering effects from the
rear wheels during cornering.
The standard Jetta five-speed manual transmission is smooth and reasonably
precise. The GLX has a close-ratio five-speed gearbox that helps keep the
engine in the sweet spot of its broad powerband, to enhance acceleration.
If you prefer an automatic transmission, VW's four-speed self-shifter
adjusts shift patterns according to how the car is being driven. The ample
torque supplied by the VR6 works well with this smart automatic.