Volkswagen Jetta test drive since 2005 sedan

The voice of the people

Volkswagen was created to produce an affordable car for the whole people of Great Germany. But on sale, he appeared only after the war
It was a legendary beetle, which remained the only model of the company until the end of the 60s.
But he was really a folk car, fully justifying his brand, and in this capacity he gained recognition around the world. Over time, other models have appeared in the production range, and now Volkswagen cars are closing all market niches, up to representative cars. But was the Mark left really folk? To answer this question, we decided to compare Volkswagen Jetta and Volkswagen Passat. Both cars have a sedan body so beloved by our people. Volkswagen Jetta is the youngest model with this type of body, acting as a kind of entrance ticket to the club of fans of the brand. Volkswagen Passat is more and more expensive, but for many years the best -selling model of the German concern in Russia, so here, too, people made their choice. By the way, Passat of different generations is one of the most massive foreign cars on our roads. But the prices ... They can’t call them folk. In order of comfort, sellers reassure customers by the fact that for such a lot of money they buy a model of real German quality. What is, that is, both cars delight not only the accuracy of manufacturing, but also the thoughtfulness of the structure. The latter is especially clearly visible in the little things. So, a spare wheel and a set of tools in both machines are located under the label. To get to them, you need to raise a thick sheet of plywood on the floor. From this moment on, many brands and models begins from this moment: to get a wheel or tool, both hands are required, but this false field has to be held with its own crown. The decision of the Volkswagen designers amazes with grace: the handle for which you raise the false floor is at the same time hook you hook it by the upper edge of the trunk and you can calmly rummage in the underground with both hands, without depicting a circus equalibrist. Trifle, but how nice!
The salons of both machines demonstrate the class difference immediately you can see which car is higher than the class. Moreover, as if for contrast, Jetta we got in the basic configuration of Trendline, and Passat in the richest version of Highline.
It is funny, as a small amount of non -compulsory pre -equipment at all, it can fundamentally change the impression of the car. We somehow happened to test Passat in the basic configuration and with a fairly weak engine. Honestly, then the car did not cause any special delights simply on an emotional level. On the contrary, bewilderment arose: for what such money is asking for? And this version of Volkswagen Passat is significantly more expensive than the basic one, but it became so cozy in its salon that when ordering a similar configuration, it is a pity to refuse any bells and whistles. One bad corners of the side glasses are large enough, which is why the aluminum finish of the front panel is reflected at dusk. Jetta salon performed by Trendline as a mathematical wording is necessary and enough. Nothing more, but everything is in place. And what is not so spacious excuse me, the car is smaller than the size, and at a lower cost. So the choice is yours, choose a wallet to your taste, but if possible, do not save on options!
If Passat has never changed its name in 1973 of the first generation of this model, then Jetta, although it appeared later, managed to change several names. In 1979, Volkswagen Golf (the first generation) in a body with a separate trunk receives his own name Jetta, under which the car on the next generation platform also comes out. In 1991, with the advent of the third generation, Volkswagen Golf, his option with the body sedan receives the name Vento, under which he lives until 1998. Golf IV appears, and in 1999 the sedan is called Bora. Only in 2005, at the next change of generations, Jetta returned its original name, under which it is released to this day.
 
Alexey Khresin
Author photo: Yan Segal
 

Source: Mkobil magazine [April/2008]