Volkswagen Jetta facelift

2015 Volkswagen Jetta facelift Review: Mid-size Mastery

Engines

2015 Volkswagen Jetta facelift TDi

The engines continue unchanged, so what’s already been served is there to eat again. Both petrol and diesel power is available, with a 1968 cc, in-line 4 cylinder, Common Rail turbocharged unit burning the dirty fuel, while a 1390 cc, in-line 4 cylinder, turbocharged, inter-cooled unit igniting the gasoline, prices of which continue to plummet south. While the former makes 140 PS of maximum power at 4200 rpm along with 320 Nm of maximum torque spread over 1750-2500 rpm, the latter manages 122 PS of maximum power at 5000 rpm, while maximum torque is rated at 200 Nm between 1500 to 4000 rpm.

2015 Volkswagen Jetta facelift DSG (1)

Like before, the diesel version (TDi) comes with a choice of a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed dual clutch automatic (DSG) transmission, sending power to the front wheels. The petrol version (TSi), however has to do with just the manual box.

Ride and Handling

2015 Volkswagen Jetta facelift (100)

It’s a clichéd saying but the Jetta, for all intents and purposes, strikes a fine balance between ride and handling. With coil springs up front and a multi-link rear set-up at the rear, the suspension eats up undulations and pot holes in a manner that befits premium cars twice the price. While jagged surfaces are dealt with muffled murmurs, bigger craters on the road are whiffed away with a far-away thud – yes, the Jetta’s a nice place to park your bottom in.

We drove both the DSG and the manual transmission equipped versions, but the latter felt a tad patchier and stiffer. Certainly the miniscule weight difference (30 Kgs) isn’t to blame here, maybe a difference in tire pressures then. Drive assist systems include Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), Anti Slip Regulation (ASR), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist and Hill Hold Control.

2015 Volkswagen Jetta facelift (95)

The enjoyable handling is all that an average Jetta buyer will ever want. The electrically assisted steering won’t win any brownie points when it comes to driver feedback, but is fairly accurate and predictable. The car corners with confidence, and does what it’s told to do without the capable chassis caught in a twist – after all it also underpinned the Mk VI Golf GTi hot hatchback. Body roll is well contained, and the grip is always your alliance, unless you’re too adventurous with your flicking maneuvers at unspeakable speeds. The aforementioned aids care not to intervene even when the going gets spirited, and make their presence fully felt only when the limits are reached. There is perceptible torque steer when you truly give it the beans when exiting a corner, but it’s oddly re-assuring in a car so dynamically clinical and neutral.

Performance

2015 Volkswagen Jetta facelift (98)

We sampled only the 2.0-litre turbo diesel, and it packs quite a punch. 320 Newton Meters come and say hello at 1750 revolutions per minute, and wallops your back till about 3000 – the sweet spot of enthusiastic motoring in the Jetta. Post that, the going wanes a tad, but nothing to complain about, because you’re already juicing a pretty linear power delivery. Redline is at 5500 revs, which is pretty optimistic for a diesel motor.

The DSG works well, and with the addition of paddle shifters, the driving experience has become more engaging. As expected, in D mode, the box is predictable, seamless and intuitive, and takes matters in its own hands when you’re not in the mood for donkey-work. S (manual) mode gives more freedom, and you can wring it out with the hidden paddles behind the wheel, but it shifts by itself when nearing the red line anyway. Volkswagen claims an ARAI certified fuel efficiency figure of 16.96 kmpl for the diesel variant.

2015 Volkswagen Jetta facelift manual

The manual, however, is more enjoyable (personally), as tradition defines it. The shifter feels good to hold, while the throws are smooth and slick. The clutch is beautifully weighted, and offers just the right amount of lightness and play. Reining all that power at your own sweet disposal is immensely pleasing, and lets one explore the characteristics of the motor, which shows a whiff of lag below 1750 revs. It’s also lighter on the wallet, with an ARAI certified efficiency figure of 19.33 kmpl.

The brakes are more than adequate, and the discs on all four corners offer good bite to haul down almost 2 tons of Jetta briskly.

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