I had the chance to drive a new Jetta a couple of days ago. This was a 2.0 model. I Went for about a 30 mile drive and here are my non-expert observations. All I have to my credentials are 17 years of having a license lol
First thing I noticed was the bland styling. Doesn't really appeal to me. I liked the look of the 4th gen Jetta, but I've never been in love with any of them.
Driving. First thing I noticed, and this may sound a little bit strange, is the driving position. It almost seems like the engineers measured once, and cut once with the setup. It just feels strange to drive. It almost feels like the steering wheel is too far in the center of the car. For instance, my right knee is smashed against the center console, and I have to reach with my left arm for the arm rest. The steering wheel and seating is too centered in the vehicle? I may be crazy, but it just felt like that to me as soon as I pulled out on the street.
Power was ok, nothing fun about driving it, but it seemed like it would get around from day to day as a commuter. On the HWY, you can def feel tell that it uses a solid beam rear suspension in favor of an independent setup. I think that was a bad decision. I know it prob keeps costs down, but even our Kia Spectra has independent rear suspension. The ride is pretty decent for the car, but the back end doesn't feel confident over bumps, and it has that strange bouncy feeling when moving up and stopping. For instance waiting in line for a right turn. Corning is pretty so-so, but overall driving of the car seems just ok as long as you are trying not to compare it to a more expensive vehicle.
Interior trim and fit & finish seems ok. The seats are are thin and small (I think this is a standard for many "European" style cars, but they did provide good support and were comfortable for me.
I HATE the accelerator pedal. It does not provide a positive feed back or resistance when using it. Also, it seems like at at some point the resistance gets high, and you have to push hard for the next step. Almost like a switch. After you push past that switch the RPM's will climb higher and it seems like it is an automatic downshift when you get past that point. Maybe it was designed like this to keep drivers right foot light on the pedal for fuel economy? Whatever the reason being, it just doesn't not have enough spring tension or resistance when driving normally.
The instruments are fine to look at and use. The radio is pretty lackluster from what I am used to driving,
Although my time behind the wheel was limited, I was a little disappointed in the new car. Maybe I was expecting more because I've always enjoyed driving other VW's in the past.
Final thought is simply that I would keep shopping if I was in the market for a new car.
First thing I noticed was the bland styling. Doesn't really appeal to me. I liked the look of the 4th gen Jetta, but I've never been in love with any of them.
Driving. First thing I noticed, and this may sound a little bit strange, is the driving position. It almost seems like the engineers measured once, and cut once with the setup. It just feels strange to drive. It almost feels like the steering wheel is too far in the center of the car. For instance, my right knee is smashed against the center console, and I have to reach with my left arm for the arm rest. The steering wheel and seating is too centered in the vehicle? I may be crazy, but it just felt like that to me as soon as I pulled out on the street.
Power was ok, nothing fun about driving it, but it seemed like it would get around from day to day as a commuter. On the HWY, you can def feel tell that it uses a solid beam rear suspension in favor of an independent setup. I think that was a bad decision. I know it prob keeps costs down, but even our Kia Spectra has independent rear suspension. The ride is pretty decent for the car, but the back end doesn't feel confident over bumps, and it has that strange bouncy feeling when moving up and stopping. For instance waiting in line for a right turn. Corning is pretty so-so, but overall driving of the car seems just ok as long as you are trying not to compare it to a more expensive vehicle.
Interior trim and fit & finish seems ok. The seats are are thin and small (I think this is a standard for many "European" style cars, but they did provide good support and were comfortable for me.
I HATE the accelerator pedal. It does not provide a positive feed back or resistance when using it. Also, it seems like at at some point the resistance gets high, and you have to push hard for the next step. Almost like a switch. After you push past that switch the RPM's will climb higher and it seems like it is an automatic downshift when you get past that point. Maybe it was designed like this to keep drivers right foot light on the pedal for fuel economy? Whatever the reason being, it just doesn't not have enough spring tension or resistance when driving normally.
The instruments are fine to look at and use. The radio is pretty lackluster from what I am used to driving,
Although my time behind the wheel was limited, I was a little disappointed in the new car. Maybe I was expecting more because I've always enjoyed driving other VW's in the past.
Final thought is simply that I would keep shopping if I was in the market for a new car.
