Volkswagen Jetta 2.0 TDI 140 CV DSG, road test (Equipment, prices and overall rating)

We continue with the Volkswagen Jetta that we have tested with the two-litre TDI diesel engine with 140 CV, the most powerful version of the Jetta with a diesel engine, paired with a six-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox.

In the first part of the road test we told you everything about the engine and performance of the Jetta, while in the second part of the road test we discussed the design, a model that, thanks to its dimensions, stands out for its interior space and boot, while its quality standards are those of the Golf.

Now it is time to talk about the equipment, where we will focus on the safety equipment fitted as standard on every Volkswagen Jetta, as well as the specific equipment of our test unit. Finally we will review the prices and close the road test with our overall rating of the model.

Equipment

Starting with the safety equipment fitted from the base trim on the Jetta, we find elements such as front, front side and curtain airbags, as well as stability control, ABS with emergency braking assist, and active front head restraints: in short, a complete safety specification.

In the crash tests carried out by Euro NCAP, it earned the coveted five stars with a high score for adult occupant protection, at 94%. It is also worth noting the presence of active head restraints, which mitigate whiplash injuries and are not always available on mid-size saloons.

Now that we know the safety equipment, we need to look at how the range is organised. The Jetta has two trim levels: Advance and Sport. The base trim includes air conditioning, a CD 210 radio, electric mirrors, among other items. There is also an Advance Plus pack that adds alloy wheels, a USB socket, fog lights, among other items (595 euros), which, thanks to discounts, still leaves an attractive starting price of 19,700 euros for the 105 CV petrol.

The CD 310 radio with MP3 player and eight speakers is fitted at no cost when adding this pack, so we finally have a fairly complete standard specification, with a multimedia system with USB socket (only Bluetooth for the phone is missing), air conditioning, alloy wheels, or electric mirrors, among other items.

The next trim level, Sport, adds 16-inch wheels as standard, a CD 510 radio with Bluetooth for the phone, folding electric mirrors, chrome exterior details, ventilated disc brakes, cornering function for the fog lights, cruise control, a full-size spare wheel, among other items.

There is also a pack associated with the Sport trim, Sport & More, which adds parking sensors, light and rain sensor, pre-wiring for a phone, among other items (775 euros). All of this comes with a starting price of 22,780 euros for the 122 CV petrol model.

The standard equipment on the Volkswagen Jetta is fairly complete and rarely overlooks the essentials, while accessing a Sport trim does not mean a large price increase. That said, some extras are missing, such as bi-xenon lights, which are available on the Golf or Passat and could be an interesting option for this mid-size saloon.

Prices

-Advance trim:

• 1.2 TSI 105 CV 6-speed 21,420 euros
• 1.4 TSI 122 CV 6-speed 22,410 euros
• 1.4 TSI 122 CV 7-speed DSG 24,080 euros
• 1.6 TDI 105 CV 5-speed 22,530 euros
• 1.6 TDI 105 CV 7-speed DSG 23,330 euros
• 2.0 TDI 140 CV 6-speed 24,660 euros
• 2.0 TDI 140 CV 6-speed DSG 26,330 euros

-Sport trim:

• 1.4 TSI 122 CV 24,320 euros
• 1.4 TSI 122 CV 7-speed DSG 26,090 euros
• 1.4 TSI 160 CV 6-speed 25,700 euros
• 1.4 TSI 160 CV 7-speed DSG 27,460 euros
• 2.0 TSI 200 CV 6-speed 28,080 euros
• 2.0 TSI 200 CV 6-speed DSG 30,020 euros
• 1.6 TDI 105 CV 5-speed 24,380 euros
• 1.6 TDI 105 CV 7-speed DSG 26,290 euros
• 2.0 TDI 140 CV 6-speed 26,570 euros
• 2.0 TDI 140 CV 6-speed DSG 28,340 euros

Overall Rating

After our road test of the Volkswagen Jetta we begin to understand why, in that magazine comparison I mentioned at the start of the test, the Jetta was named the winner over the Passat. Above all, it is a practical vehicle at an attractive price. Practical in terms of space: it is a car with a good boot, sufficient room in the rear seats, and an imposing look that barely hints at its origins as a derivative of the Golf.

The 140 CV diesel engine has won us over with its fuel consumption and, above all, its performance, responding admirably whenever we press the accelerator. Dynamically it is a model that does the job, following in the Golf’s footsteps in this respect, but limited by its dimensions.

Finally, there is the equipment, which is fairly complete as standard considering its starting price of 19,700 euros (promotional discount included). Perhaps the downside lies in its interior, which is good quality but could have had differentiating elements compared with the Golf, since the imposing exterior falls a little flat inside. On the other hand, some optional equipment (such as xenon lights) is not available on the Jetta but is on the Golf or Passat.

In short, if you want a larger Golf without paying too much more, the Jetta is a firm and interesting candidate.

Photos | Diego G. Moreira