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Bottle Green paint gives this relatively modern three-box sedan some retro appeal. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
The Bottle Green paint, which is new for 2017, is probably the design element that’s most respectful of the past, as this rather normal looking three-box four-door can only be considered retro due to being mostly unchanged for so long, but peek through its windows and you’ll start to understand more of what I’m talking about.
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The Wolfsburg Edition gets unique 16-inch alloys and a rear spoiler to spiff up its styling. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
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The details are nicely done up close and personal. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
On that note, all Jetta models get a full soft-touch dash top and door uppers, plus nice satin-silver detailing throughout. Being a Volkswagen, such trim is executed
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The Wolfsburg Edition gets unique badging that depicts VW’s hometown coat of arms. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
I wish I could say something positive about the rather drab monochromatic trip computer within the Jetta’s gauge cluster (orange it’s not, or any other colour for that matter), but the centre stack-mounted infotainment interface is one of the best in the industry, if not the largest at 6.3 inches. Along with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Volkswagen adds MirrorLink smartphone connectivity as well as proximity-sensing digital buttons that pop up when your hand approaches the screen. Navigation isn’t part of the package, but a good backup
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The cockpit is nicely laid out, well made and equipped fairly well. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
Those seats are inherently comfortable, with good lower back and lateral support, the former made even better via manual lumbar adjustment, while the steering column provided lots of rake and telescopic reach for setting up an ergonomically ideal driving position to enhance control and safety.
The rear seating area is comfortable and spacious too, while the Jetta offers one of the largest trunks in the compact segment at 438 litres (15.5 cubic feet),
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The classic analogue gauges are nice, but the trip computer drives a bit too far down memory lane for our liking. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
All loaded up and ready to go, the little Jetta’s 1.4-litre turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder moves family and friends along with surprising energy, complemented by a well-sorted six-speed automatic gearbox with manual mode. When I say gearbox, I don’t mean VW’s much-lauded quick-shifting DSG automated dual-clutch transmission, or thankfully a CVT (continuously variable transmission) like so many others in this class provide, but a compromise I’d much rather live with from a performance perspective.
This said the Jetta’s conventional automatic isn’t quite as fuel-efficient as some of it peers, but it’s hard to knock its claimed 8.5 L/100km city, 6.2 highway and 7.4 combined rating, especially when factoring in how much fun it is to drive. You can
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VW’s new infotainment system is a class above most in this segment. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
Take off from a stoplight and it’ll leave laggards behind instantly, while unashamed merges onto the highway are not only easy to accomplish, but doing so can be smile inducing if a tight banked curve is part of the process. Like all Volkswagens, the Jetta’s performance-tuned fully independent suspension provides just that right amount of athleticism while still maintaining good ride comfort, the result of which can make even the most loathsome commutes
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Love those retro grey, black and orange seats! (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
By the way, those 16-inch Estrade alloys on Bridgestone Ecopia all-seasons are exclusive to this Wolfsburg Edition, while other features not yet mentioned include LED daytime running lights, turn signals integrated within the side mirrors housings, a rear spoiler, proximity keyless access with pushbutton ignition, rain-sensing wipers, a powered driver’s seat, Bluetooth with audio streaming, powered USB connectivity, a large powered sunroof, blindspot monitoring, a driver fatigue detection system, all the expected active and passive safety features, plus more for $23,795 plus freight and fees with manual or $25,195 as tested with with auto.
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Rear roominess and comfort is excellent. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
As of January 9, 2018 there’s still no mention of the 2018 Jetta on Volkswagen Canada’s retail site and nothing in the media site we journalists use to source our
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A 60/40 split and a centre pass-through expand on the already large trunk’s usefulness. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
If you want a compact sedan that’s entertaining to drive and finished nicely inside, the Volkswagen Jetta should suit you well, while if you happen to be a sucker for most things orange like yours truly, this Wolfsburg Edition is ideal.
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