EVERY now and again a car comes along that fits you like a glove.

Spacious, sensible, economical and thoroughly understated, the badge on the boot is almost irrelevant. But when the badge on the bonnet says VW, you know you can relax.

Even when the car is built thousands of miles away in Mexico, there is a reassuring Germanic solidity about the Jetta that is reinforced every time a door clunks shut.

The location of the production line in Mexico’s biggest car factory is no coincidence, as the Jetta continues to be Volkswagen’s best-selling car in the United States, where drivers rate booted models higher in the prestige rankings than European motorists, who value the versatility of hatchbacks.

Relaunched last year as a completely new model, the boot presents surprisingly few problems, for as well as being hugely capacious, it has folding rear seats and a handy ‘ski’ flap that allows long items to be carried with ease.

Quiet, refined and supremely comfortable, the medium-sized saloon wears the same family ‘face’ used in the new Polo, Passat and Sharan.

Compared to the car it replaced, the new Jetta is longer, giving a real boost to rear legroom.

The Jetta name was first used in Germany in 1979 for a medium-sized saloon and has continued without interruption in the United States.

Outside the States, the Jetta name was replaced by Vento between 1991 and 1998, and then Bora between 1998 and 2005. Since then, Jetta has been the universal name.

While the badge is the same on US and European models, under the skin they differ considerably, with the European version having multi-link rear suspension, electro-mechanical steering, a more advanced engine line-up, an upgraded interior and subtle exterior styling changes.

Standard safety features include anti-lock braking, electronic stability program and six airbags.

The test car was powered by a gem of an engine. The 1.6-litre TDI engine, developing 105 horsepower, is equipped with BlueMotion Technology features including Stop/Start and battery regeneration as standard. Wheels are fitted with low-rolling resistance tyres to enhance economy, and on the SE test model a multifunction computer displays a visual gear change recommendation for optimum fuel consumption. That adds up to great long-range cruising and day-to-day consumption of more than 60mpg.

Despite its low-profile styling, the Jetta is one of those rare cars that can handle virtually anything you throw at it, and one that you instantly feel at home with.

Now in its sixth generation, a total of 10.1 million examples of the Jetta have been sold since its launch in Germany in 1979. The new model is certain to continue its sales success.

 

MODEL: Volkswagen Jetta SE 1.6 TDi BlueMotion

  • Price: £20,240
  • Insurance group: (1-50) 12
  • Fuel consumption (Combined): 67.3mpg
  • Top speed: 118mph
  • Length: 464.4cm/182.8in
  • Width: 177.8cm/70in
  • Luggage capacity: 18 cu ft
  • Fuel tank: 11 gallons/50 litres
  • CO2 emissions: 109g/km
  • Warranty: Three years/ 60,000 miles