Review: Volkswagen Mk.6 Jetta (2011-17)

Review: Volkswagen Mk.6-I Jetta (2011-14)

Overview

Released in August 2011, the Volkswagen Mk.6 Series I (Mk.6-I) Jetta was a mid-size, front-wheel drive sedan. Manufactured in Puebla, Mexico, the VW Mk.6 Jetta range initially consisted of the 118TSI, 103TDI and 147TSI variants, which were available in standard, Comfortline and Highline editions (see table below).

Dimensions

Compared to the Volkswagen Mk.5 Jetta , the Mk.6 Jetta was 190 mm longer (at 4744 mm), 3 mm narrower (1778 mm), 14 mm taller (1473 mm) and had a 55 mm longer wheelbase (2633 mm). The bigger dimensions contributed to rear legroom increasing by 67 mm; boot space, however, decreased by 17 litres to 510 litres.

Suspension

Like its predecessor, the VW Mk.6 Jetta had MacPherson strut front suspension, four-link coil-sprung rear suspension and an electromechanical power steering system.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Volkswagen Mk.6-I Jetta included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, electronic stability control, traction control, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, active front seat head restraints and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

As standard, the Mk.6 Jetta was fitted with an electronic differential lock (EDL). If, when cornering, the inside front wheel was rotating faster than the outside wheel, then the EDL system applied the brakes to the inside wheel – effectively transferring torque to the outside wheel – to improve traction.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , a Volkswagen Jetta 1.2 TSI Trendline (not available in Australia) received a five star safety rating which included a 94 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 86 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the frontal offset crash test, there was a slight risk of serious chest and leg injury for the front occupants. Maximum points were awarded in the side impact test, though chest protection in the pole test was rated as marginal. Under ANCAP’s methodology , this testing resulted in an adult occupant protection score of 35.2 out of 37 and the test results were also deemed to apply to models with 1.4-litre TSI engines.

Features: Jetta

Standard features for the Volkswagen Jetta 118 TSI included an eight speaker sound system with CD player and auxiliary inputs (MP3/USB), air conditioning, cruise control, a chilled glove compartment, Bluetooth connectivity, rear fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and telephone controls, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, height adjustable front seats, a 12 volt power outlet and an immobiliser.

The Jetta Comfortline was further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, park assist display, front and rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, power folding mirrors, load-through ski hatch, electrochromatic rear view mirror, tyre pressure monitoring and cargo net.

Beyond this, the Jetta 147TSI Highline added 17-inch alloy wheels with sports suspension and Bridgestone Potenza tyres, a six-disc CD player and SD card reader, leather seats, contoured and heated front seats, front fog lights and headlight washers.

Related links

• Press Kit: Volkswagen Mk.6 Jetta (August 2011)
• Brochure: Volkswagen Mk.6-I Jetta (August 2012)
• Brochure: Volkswagen Mk.6 Jetta (May 2014)

Review: Volkswagen Mk.6-II Jetta (2015-17)

Overview

Released in Australia in February 2015, the Volkswagen Mk.6 Series II (Mk.6-II) Jetta introduced a revised range as entry-level Trendline editions were introduced and the 147TSI variant was replaced by the 155TSI; the full range is given in the table below.

Visually, the Mk.6-II Jetta could be identified by its new radiator grille with three horizontal fines, re-profiled front bumper, redesigned boot lid with an aerodynamically efficient lip (which extended into the wings at the side), new tail lights and a revised rear bumper. According to Volkswagen, the changes contributed to an overall improvement in aerodynamic efficiency of 10 per cent.

Inside, there were revised instruments, a new steering wheel, new trims surrounding the centre console and new fabric designs for the seats and door trims.

Safety equipment

Compared to its Mk.6-I predecessor, standard safety equipment for the VW Mk.6-II Jetta was extended to include a fatigue detection system which monitored the driver’s steering behavior and, if there was a deviation from the normal behaviour, would issue visual and acoustic warnings.

For the Mk.6-II Jetta, Volkswagen’s Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) was replaced by the Extended Electronic Differential Lock (XDL).

Features: Jetta Trendline, Comfortline and Highline

Standard features for the Jetta Trendline included 16-inch ‘Sonoma’ alloy wheels with 205/55 R16 tyres, Volkswagen’s RCD310 sound system with eight speakers, an MP3-compatibilty CD player, auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB), Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, air conditioning, cruise control, daytime driving lights, a rear fog lamp, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows, power adjustable and heated mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, height adjustable front seats, 12 volt power sockets in the centre consoles, illuminated vanity mirrors, tinted windows, ‘Checker plate titanium’ interior trim, trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser.

The Jetta Comfortline was further equipped with 17-inch ‘Porto’ alloy wheels with 225/45 R17 tyres, Volkswagen’s RNS510 audio and satellite navigation with a 6.5-inch colour touch screen, voice control for navigation, integrated 30GB hard drive, CD/DVD drive and SD card slot, ‘Comfort’ front seats, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, front and rear parking sensors, a visual display of the vehicle relative to objects (Volkswagen ‘Optical Parking System’ or OPS), a rear view camera with guidance lines, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, rear seat armrest with load-through provision, power folding door mirrors with automatic tilting of the passenger’s side mirror when reversing, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, front and rear carpet mats, tyre pressure monitoring and ‘Zebrano’ wood interior trim. Visual cues for the Jetta Comfortline included chrome inserts for the radiator grille and a chrome strip for the lower edge of the side window frames.

Beyond this, the Jetta Highline added 17-inch ‘Lancaster’ alloy wheels with 225/45 R17 tyres, ‘Vienna’ leather seat upholstery, ‘Comfort’ sports front seats, a power adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, headlight washers, front fog lights with static cornering lights, proximity key (i.e. keyless access), push-button start, a 12 volt power socket in the boot, a drawer under the front passenger seat and ‘Checker plate black with chrome’ interior trim.

Features: 155TSI Highline Sport

The Jetta Highline Sport was distinguished by its 18-inch ‘Charleston’ alloy wheels with 225/40 R18 tyres, bi-xenon headlights with washers, LED daytime driving lights, steering wheel gearshift paddles and rear privacy glass. The 155TSI Highline Sport could be identified by its darkened tail-lights and chrome exhaust pipes.

MY16 Jetta

In July 2015, standard features for the Jetta Trendline were extended to include Volkswagen’s ‘Composition Media’ system with a 6.5-inch high-resolution touch screen display, ‘App-Connect’ USB interface for enhanced smartphone connectivity (including access to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink) and a rear view camera with static guidance lines.

Beyond this, the Jetta Comfortline, Highline and Highline Sport editions gained Volkswagen’s ‘Discover Media’ infotainment system with a 6.5-inch display, replacing the RNS510 system.

Related links

• Specifications: Volkswagen Mk.6-II Jetta (February 2015)
• Volkswagen Australia: Volkswagen Jetta
• Wikipedia.org: Volkswagen Mk.6 Jetta