The Volkswagen Jetta is now in its sixth generation and has become part of South Africa’s staple family car diet. Crisp exterior styling with a soft centre, mean South Africans have consumed VW Jettas like roast potatoes at a Sunday lunch for generations. Slotting conveniently into the current Volkswagen line-up between the bite-size Polo and full-size, jacket-type, potato that is the Passat, it’s no wonder the Jetta is so popular.

Faced with the task of a return trip to the Johannesburg International Motor Show from Cape Town recently, I thought it would be a good opportunity to evaluate the new Jetta’s ability to satisfy the typical family requirements for comfort, space and convenience, wrapped in an appealing and sensibly styled package. I’ll admit, I had my reservations when faced with prospect of a long-haul drive with a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel. Yes, the engine impressed and performed well in its Polo hatchback application, but I was concerned that I may have to spend my time behind the wheel cracking the proverbial whip. Let’s see shall we.

First of all, like that tray of roast potatoes at a Sunday lunch, the Jetta isn’t the most tantalising option on the family sedan menu, however, it’s also a car many people will find it hard to say ‘no’ to. The sixth generation is sharper, both in the design of its sheetmetal and lines, as well as its character – thanks to contemporary styled and illuminated tail-lights and horizontally-biased VW family face. Volkswagen are adamant that none of the new Jetta’s body panels are shared with any other VW, but even so, there’s room for criticism of its striking head-on similarity to the smaller Polo and larger Passat. That said, the higher spec Comfortline and Highline models have enough tweaks to give the Jetta the dapper image one would expect. 16-inch alloy wheels, chrome trim on the upper grille, front fog lights and colour-coded everything, help the Jetta’s cause in this respect.

So, like any good roast potato, (what? I’m on a roll here), once passed the crispy outside you should be met by a soft and warm interior. The Jetta? Well, standard fit equipment includes a 3-spoke leather covered steering wheel, leather gearshift knob, boot and handbrake lever, as well as a soft-touch dashboard. All the touchy-feely bits are present and accounted for then and are some of the best-in-class when you consider those of the French, Japanese and Korean competitors. I found the optional leather-covered ‘Vienna’ sports seats very comfortable, which is quite something considering I travelled over 3 700 kms in four days. Initially my lower back was beginning to protest, but once I boosted the lumber support, that was the last adjustment I made for the remainder of the test period.

The standard 8-speaker MP3-compatible sound system served dutifully and stood up well to the ‘abuse’ thrown at it by my iPod – the satellite controls on the steering wheel making it all the more convenient to adjust volume, radio station, etc. Conspicuous in its absence, however, was a USB connection. It’s a small issue, but really, with the proliferation of MP3 players, smart phones and people’s corresponding preference to listen to their own playlists, as well as the need to keep devices charged, this should be standard kit. Fortunately, there’s no lacking when it comes to interior space. Even with the front seat adjusted to my 1.84m frame, the rear passengers – had their been any – would’ve had nothing to complain about. Likewise, the boot offers 510-litres of capacity, an area that was put to good use on my return journey with the copious amount of press material spread between, wait for it, six suit cases – in addition to my own personal luggage and laptop.

The driving position is comfortable, not least because of the supportive seats, but also thanks to the range of adjustment offered by the seat and steering wheel. In addition, the foot rest proved big enough and comfortably angled for my extended journey, plus, the footwell moulding on the side of the accelerator pedal also happens to be shaped in a manner that can accommodate your right foot when the standard-fit cruise control is in use.

So what about that whip? Did I need to crack it to coax the litte oil burner to and from Joburg? Quite the opposite in fact. The figures go like this, 77 kW, 250 Nm of torque between 1 500 and 2 500 r/min, 0 – 100 km/h in 11.7 seconds and combined cycle fuel consumption of 4.5 L/100km. That final figure is possibly the most exciting of the lot, however, the 1.6 TDI proved surprisingly flexible in its power delivery. The power feels available across a wide rev range, because while the torque begins to taper off from 2 500 r/min, peak power begins to build towards 4 400 r/min.  The lack of a sudden drop off in power, as can be the case with some diesel engines, is an aspect of the engine’s character I came to value – particularly when overtaking other road users, as I could often hold the gear long enough that I didn’t need to execute a gear change whilst over taking, making the whole exercise that little bit less cumbersome and tiring over the long haul.

A 5-speed manual transmission puts you in direct command of the drivetrain and, despite no 6th gear overdrive to reduce revs, engine noise at cruising speeds and fuel consumption, the combination works well. For the daily commute, however, I suspect the slightly pricier 7-speed DSG-equipped model will be a better choice, purely because the diesel’s low-down torque means you’re in 5th gear shortly after pulling off and it can become a little laborious having to constantly shift gears around town.

Ride and handling is admirable, thanks to independent suspension up front and four-link rear axle. The steering is comfortably weighted and accurate by all accounts, but becomes a little vague mid-turn or in higher speed sweeps. If you do ask to much of the running gear, Volkswagen’s Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with Brake Assist and Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) will work to reign you in, whilst flashing an orange warning light on the dashboard to let you know you’re pushing the limits of what this family sedan is designed to do.

So then, with plenty of comfort and convenience features, safety, space, adequate performance, contemporary styling and solid perceived build quality, the new Jetta is like a very good roast potato – appealing and somewhat comforting in its familiarity and simple execution. Nothing exciting, nothing wrong with it either, just good wholesome fare. It’s made it into the top 10 finalists for the 2012 South African Car of the Year title, and while there’s no such thing as a sure bet, if we end up with a tie for the title, as per last year, then I’d put money on the Jetta sharing the crown.

What we like…

• Contemporary styling.
• Comfortable ride and seating.
• Flexible and frugal 1.6-litre TDI engine.

What we would like…

• A slightly more distinguishable front end.
• USB connectivity as standard.

The arrival of Volkswagen’s newest version of an old stalwart, the Jetta VI, will always be a fine opportunity for misty eyed reminiscence over the ones that came before. The latest arrival made even more touching in this case, by it coinciding to the very day, with Volkswagen SA’s 60th birthday celebration. The old adage that we’ve all been exposed to or had a family owned Jetta at some point, but I guess that rings true for any Volkswagen really.

It was a champagne coloured Jetta II that my parents decided to rely on throughout the 1990’s and in so doing it became the humble family car that ushered in the end of Apartheid for the Leathern household. It was the car we took to the streets in – in 1995 after a triumphant Rugby World Cup. It was the car my best mate Anton and I used to roll down the driveway, in our Matric year, before starting it up down the road and skiving off for a night out on the town. It was during one of those illegal excursions that I had my first driving lesson and nearly reversed into the river at Magnolia Dell in Pretoria – that was way before ‘park distance control’ my friends, the kids have it way too easy these days. With my yard test waxed, I then may or may not have turned onto the N1 onramp into oncoming traffic, Anton and I didn’t do any more night time driving lessons after that.

But rather than just hear me bang on about an old, gold Jetta, understand the point I’m trying to make is that our old VW really was like a family companion, like the household pet. It wasn’t fancy, or emotive, or sporty, or great for posing in, although how Anton and I tried… It was what family cars used to be way back when – a time when all cars were family cars. This is a good thing, because staying true to its spirit shall we say; the new Jetta VI steers clear of these emotive qualities too. It’s an inoffensive shape of metal with five doors, four wheels, and a few more airbags then before, and that’s about it.

What it is though is bigger than the outgoing Jetta V, 90 mm longer with a wheelbase increase of 73 mm and 510-litres of boot space. And more efficient thanks to the range of clean and frugal TSI and TDI engines: a 1.2-litre TSI (77 kW), a 1.4-litre TSI (90 kW), and a twin super- and turbocharged 1.4-litre TSI (118 kW) which can shunt it to 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds and top out at 221 km/h. The diesel range starts with a highly efficient 1.6-litre TDI (77 kW) which produces so little CO2 it falls beneath the taxation line and returns 4.5 L/100km, and a 2.0-litre TDI (103 kW) which returns just 4.8 L/100km and has been tuned acoustically for a better exhaust note. The 1.6-litre TDI can be fitted with the seven speed DSG gearbox.

Volkswagen have refreshed the front styling to bring it in line with the new VW corporate identity and are also adamant that none of the new Jetta’s body panels are shared with any other VW. A fantastic effort in design subterfuge considering it looks identical to both the Polo Sedan and the Passat give or take a few mm’s here and there. But then again also somehow not, if specified nicely the Jetta is every bit as handsome as you’d expect, but go for a standard one in an unassuming colour then be prepared to blend. This particular Jetta is built in Mexico and the reason for this is, the US is a market Volkswagen want to attack head on with this car, hoping to take some of the glory away from the dominant Honda and Hyundai sedans over there.

Three trim levels are available as always: Trendline, Comfortline and Highline. Standard features include climatic air conditioning, multi-function steering wheel, CD/Radio with 8-speakers, six airbags, ABS, Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP), 16-inch alloy wheel and hill hold control.

The new Jetta is tremendously comfortable with everything just where you’d expect to find it and never seemingly more than a fingers stretch away from you. The handbrake lever has even been repositioned to free up more space for larger cup holders. The Americans will love that. The Comfortline Jetta’s get cruise control over and above the bottom of the wrung Trendline and the top of the range Highline specification gets bigger 17” wheels, 15mm lower suspension and the chrome interior package.

Does the new Volkswagen Jetta VI lack a bit of sparkle, a bit of zing? Arguably, yes. It’s a brand name with legacy, as Volkswagen was at pains to point out to us at their 60th birthday party and as I’ve experienced for 15 years of my childhood life. However, with it so neatly fitting as the middle child in the VW sedan range between Polo sedan and Passat, and the hottest one only being a 1 400cc, I hope for Volkswagens and the Jetta’s sake, they haven’t taken away too much of an emotive appeal. Never underestimate the consumer’s aspirational wants and needs. But crucially, there isn’t a whole lot wrong with the new Jetta VI either, nothing in fact, and that is sort of like my old, gold Jetta used to be. This new Jetta VI will make a fine fist of getting 17 year olds into mischief on their first night time driving lesson… and I see that park distance control is only an optional extra for the youngsters, which makes me very happy somehow.

Pricing includes a 5-year/90 000km maintenance plan, a 3-year/120 000km warranty and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty.

Ray Leathern has been test driving and critiquing cars for four years now. You’ll find his work at autocirca.com, the Mail & Guardian and of course, right here on SACarFan.

A larger, more upscale version of the Volkswagen Jetta was revealed on Monday for the 2011 model year.

The powertrain lineup will consist of four engines, including a 2,0-litre turbodiesel making 320 N.m of torque. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard, and the six-speed DSG automatic is optional.

The Jetta gets sleeker sheetmetal for the new model year, and it’s fronted by trapezoidal headlights and a high-gloss black grille. The sides are marked by prominent wheel arches, which hold tyres as large as 18 inches. Two-section taillights set off the back end of the car. Look closely at the shoulders, and the NCC concept is visible, while the mirrors borrow their appearance from the premium CC sedan, VW says.

The new car is 90 mm longer bumper-to-bumper at 4.64 m, which VW claims yields best-in-class legroom for the sixth generation Jetta. This helps improve the interior comfort, and legroom is now 967 mm, 66 mm more than before. The cabin also features a new steering wheel, while the back seat continues the 60/40 split tradition.