VW Jetta 1.9 Tested!!

anantnehru · 18th August 2008, 12:12

I test drove the 1.9 Diesel Jetta yesterday. It wasnt such a long test drive or as detailled as other test drives in this forum but it was a test drive nonetheless.

2 of my friends work in a VW dealership and had been asking me to come
and test drive the Jetta for a long time now.
I finally relented and went for it. I always like the Jetta every since I saw it and liked it even more once I saw it in person. Not too big, very nice clean lines and a certain element of sportiness to it.
Just as my luck had it, as one TD car got free it started pouring cats and dogs so I didnt really have an oppurtunity to rip it.

The car overall seems very solidly built; from the door thud to the switches inside. It comes standard with a 10speaker system which to my mind made FM sound pretty good. The inside of the car has a certain build quality to it which I have only seen on the Astras and Octavias. I was quite impressed with the interior.

However, looking into the back seats, they seemed rather low as compared to other cars. Made me feel that if I were to sit in them I would be
in a knees-in-the-chest situation. Wasnt able to actually check this as the rain and other people waiting played spoilsport.

The A/c was quite effective and made me feel cold in a matter of minutes. But then again let me remind you that this was not peak Delhi summer situation, it was more like a thunderstorm prevailing at the time.

I put on the parking lights which led to my instrument cluster lighting up in blue, which looked quite nice. The parking lights which are just a strip of lights in the assembly also looked really nice.
It had a nice light steering and made taking turns quite easy; cant really say how it would handle at high speeds. The overall size of the car also is not so overwhelming so I didnt have such a problem going in and out of lanes.

Coming to the engine, I felt it was quite a let down. I felt it was pretty underpowered and you really had to press the accelerator to get it moving.
My friend said this was because I had just stepped out of a petrol engine and this was diesel. Somehow, I didnt quite really buy that. I have driven my dad's Skoda a number of times and that just rockets once you press the accelerator beyond a certain limit.
However, the sound of engine wasn't too loud when I gunned and I wasnt able to hear it inside when it was being driven normally. No such vibrations or the likes coming through to the cabin.
Again, Im not too sure if everyone would have the same thoughts as I did; would be nice if someone could let me know.

The horn is quite loud and sounds pretty much like a Skoda horn. I flashed my lights a few times and the halogen projectors did a good job.
The turn indicators on the mirrors also looked very classy and added to the overall impression the car leaves on you.

I test drove the base diesel which was for Rs. 15.45 on road Delhi.
I know this is a very hap-hazard write up but the rain added to the chaos so didnt really get a good look at the car.
Hope someone else takes a TD and can write a more detailled report!

Brosreview · 19th August 2008, 09:43

A decent review there. Umm, in general, we feel that Jetta is a let-down car for the VW family. The build quality isn't up to the marks and neither is the performance and comfort. When inquired about, we mostly recommend VW lovers to work-hard and buy a Passat or even a Bora.

ashish22 · 19th August 2008, 11:13

nice review there..
why VW came out with underpowered engine is beyond my understanding. They should have come out with powerful engines for jetta to differentiate it from octavias and lauras.

GTO · 19th August 2008, 17:11

Nice initial report. Most of your points are spot-on. The rear seats are not a good place to be in the Jetta. You probably felt the diesel was not that responsive due to the turbolag (also in the Laura).

Quote:

Umm, in general, we feel that Jetta is a let-down car for the VW family.

Yup, even in the States, the Jetta is viewed as a poorly built high-maintenance car. The Skoda Laura, which has near identical mechanicals, has not exactly given its Indian owners a trouble-free ride. It is difficult to ignore the new Accord's value proposition in the same segment. Sales numbers indicate that customers are in agreement.

anantnehru · 20th August 2008, 01:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

You probably felt the diesel was not that responsive due to the turbolag (also in the Laura).

True, but isnt that in the Octavia as well? I mean, only once did I feel a slight bit of increased acceleration in the Jetta; whereas in the Octy you just get pushed back. Am thinking of going back on a non rainy day and probably test drive the petrol to be able to compare the two.

Vid6639 · 20th August 2008, 02:18

here's another TD report:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-...st-driven.html (VW Jetta Test driven.)

ajmat · 20th August 2008, 09:30

Quote:

the Jetta is viewed as a poorly built high-maintenance car.

Thats because the US Jetta's and Golfs (GTI excepted) are built in Mexico. Build quality had supposedly improved now. Mexico is the sole producer of Jetta's globally. Our kits come from Mexico - hence the wording on the ad - "German engineered"

Ricky_63 · 20th August 2008, 09:59

The underpowered engine is a big let down. (calls for Pete's Box or a remap)

They should realize that the 1.9 TDi comes in an Octavia whose base price starts at 10.3L Ex-Showroom Delhi.

I would not pay 5L more for the same / similar engine. Though in the looks department it has a fresh/er look for sure.

I have not driven the car so cannot comment but those who have seem to agree on the "not so great performance"

VW has to be very particular about what they get here and at what price point and the engine specs. Too many cousins lurking around to spoil the party.

Cheers

CBlazer · 20th August 2008, 10:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by anantnehru

True, but isnt that in the Octavia as well? I mean, only once did I feel a slight bit of increased acceleration in the Jetta; whereas in the Octy you just get pushed back. Am thinking of going back on a non rainy day and probably test drive the petrol to be able to compare the two.

Nice review. If you get another chance, do let us know what the 1.6 L VW petrol engine feels like.

bigron · 20th August 2008, 11:06

A nice writeup, considering you really dint have the time to extensively examine eveything. You are right about the engine.I just dont get it.It is definately underpowered.The are asking alot of money for a car with just 105 odd bhp.May be they should pick up a leaf from Hyundais or GMs book that performance diesel engines do have a market.

GTO · 20th August 2008, 12:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by anantnehru

True, but isnt that in the Octavia as well?

The Octavia 1.9 TDi has almost zero turbolag. Its a pretty amazing unit for an old-school diesel.

Ricky_63 · 21st August 2008, 20:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

The Octavia 1.9 TDi has almost zero turbolag. Its a pretty amazing unit for an old-school diesel.

Totally endorse the POV. That is probably one of the reasons for its phenomenal success...

When I drive my Skoda 1.9 TDi even today I still wonder - the re-map has taken it to another level

, but honestly even the stock car was a bang for the buck !!!

Cheers

18th August 2008, 12:12	#1
anantnehru BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 447 Thanked: 14 Times	VW Jetta 1.9 Tested!! I test drove the 1.9 Diesel Jetta yesterday. It wasnt such a long test drive or as detailled as other test drives in this forum but it was a test drive nonetheless. 2 of my friends work in a VW dealership and had been asking me to come and test drive the Jetta for a long time now. I finally relented and went for it. I always like the Jetta every since I saw it and liked it even more once I saw it in person. Not too big, very nice clean lines and a certain element of sportiness to it. Just as my luck had it, as one TD car got free it started pouring cats and dogs so I didnt really have an oppurtunity to rip it. The car overall seems very solidly built; from the door thud to the switches inside. It comes standard with a 10speaker system which to my mind made FM sound pretty good. The inside of the car has a certain build quality to it which I have only seen on the Astras and Octavias. I was quite impressed with the interior. However, looking into the back seats, they seemed rather low as compared to other cars. Made me feel that if I were to sit in them I would be in a knees-in-the-chest situation. Wasnt able to actually check this as the rain and other people waiting played spoilsport. The A/c was quite effective and made me feel cold in a matter of minutes. But then again let me remind you that this was not peak Delhi summer situation, it was more like a thunderstorm prevailing at the time. I put on the parking lights which led to my instrument cluster lighting up in blue, which looked quite nice. The parking lights which are just a strip of lights in the assembly also looked really nice. It had a nice light steering and made taking turns quite easy; cant really say how it would handle at high speeds. The overall size of the car also is not so overwhelming so I didnt have such a problem going in and out of lanes. Coming to the engine, I felt it was quite a let down. I felt it was pretty underpowered and you really had to press the accelerator to get it moving. My friend said this was because I had just stepped out of a petrol engine and this was diesel. Somehow, I didnt quite really buy that. I have driven my dad's Skoda a number of times and that just rockets once you press the accelerator beyond a certain limit. However, the sound of engine wasn't too loud when I gunned and I wasnt able to hear it inside when it was being driven normally. No such vibrations or the likes coming through to the cabin. Again, Im not too sure if everyone would have the same thoughts as I did; would be nice if someone could let me know. The horn is quite loud and sounds pretty much like a Skoda horn. I flashed my lights a few times and the halogen projectors did a good job. The turn indicators on the mirrors also looked very classy and added to the overall impression the car leaves on you. I test drove the base diesel which was for Rs. 15.45 on road Delhi. I know this is a very hap-hazard write up but the rain added to the chaos so didnt really get a good look at the car. Hope someone else takes a TD and can write a more detailled report!
	() Thanks

19th August 2008, 09:43	#2
Brosreview BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Keep Travelling Posts: 129 Thanked: 4 Times	Jetta - the wind didn't quite blow A decent review there. Umm, in general, we feel that Jetta is a let-down car for the VW family. The build quality isn't up to the marks and neither is the performance and comfort. When inquired about, we mostly recommend VW lovers to work-hard and buy a Passat or even a Bora.
	() Thanks

19th August 2008, 11:13	#3
ashish22 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 598 Thanked: 100 Times View My Garage	nice review there.. why VW came out with underpowered engine is beyond my understanding. They should have come out with powerful engines for jetta to differentiate it from octavias and lauras.
	() Thanks

20th August 2008, 02:18	#6
Vid6639 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,730 Thanked: 43,483 Times View My Garage	here's another TD report: https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-...st-driven.html (VW Jetta Test driven.)
	() Thanks

20th August 2008, 09:59	#8
Ricky_63 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 3,885 Thanked: 518 Times View My Garage	The underpowered engine is a big let down. (calls for Pete's Box or a remap) They should realize that the 1.9 TDi comes in an Octavia whose base price starts at 10.3L Ex-Showroom Delhi. I would not pay 5L more for the same / similar engine. Though in the looks department it has a fresh/er look for sure. I have not driven the car so cannot comment but those who have seem to agree on the "not so great performance" VW has to be very particular about what they get here and at what price point and the engine specs. Too many cousins lurking around to spoil the party. Cheers
	() Thanks

20th August 2008, 11:06	#10
bigron Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NSEW Posts: 1,309 Thanked: 2,706 Times	A nice writeup, considering you really dint have the time to extensively examine eveything. You are right about the engine.I just dont get it.It is definately underpowered.The are asking alot of money for a car with just 105 odd bhp.May be they should pick up a leaf from Hyundais or GMs book that performance diesel engines do have a market.
	() Thanks