EVERY Volkswagen I have driven has left me impressed.
But the Jetta is a strange affair. It's neither as sporty as the Golf, nor as good looking as the Passat.
To me, it looks a little middle-aged and slightly frumpy.
Volkswagen suggest it has a sporty, yet elegant appeal. If it does, it's lost on me.
In 20 years time, when people recall their favourite Volkswagen, I don't think the Jetta will be the first name they come up with.
But, to be fair, that is always going to be the Beetle, followed by the likes of the Golf.
The Jetta is comfortable, powerful and enjoyable to drive, but simply lacks that extra bit of X-Factor to make it stand out in the crowd.
It competes in the lower B segment against the likes of the Renault Laguna, Toyota Avensis, Vauxhall Vectra, Honda Accord and Volvo S40 in a class which, in the UK, accounts for around one in every four cars bought.
Packed full of extras and features, a choice of six engines and Volkswagen's refined TSI engine technology, the Jetta is a competitive compact saloon.
You get superior dynamics and agile road holding, promising a smooth and relaxing drive.
And it's clearly a hit in some parts. The Jetta, which went on sale in the UK in February 2006, is the best selling European vehicle in the US, accounting for 40 per cent of Volkswagen's US sales.
It is quite a bit larger all round than its Bora predecessor - 13mm taller and 178mm longer - which equates into more generous passenger space and comfort. The cabin has greater legroom and shoulder width, more headroom and a bigger boot.
Much work has been done to improve the body rigidity and, thanks to extensive use of advanced construction techniques such as laser seam welding, static torsional rigidity has been improved by 15 per cent over the Bora.
New 'module' doors are aimed at drastically reducing repair costs. No longer must the entire door be replaced if it is damaged in an accident, instead the outer skin panel can easily be detached for repair.
This is achieved by the use of load-bearing 'hybrid bars' which serve as the door inner panel. The outer skin panel is bonded to these bars.
Volkswagen make good use of stowage spaces and there are plenty in the cabin. There's a driver's side cubby, generous door bins and in the SE model you get large storage drawers under both the driver's and front seat passenger's seats.
There is also clever attention to detail in the little things, which often take the eye. For instance, depending on spec, there is a bottle opener which fits into the small gap between the cup holders in the space next to the handbrake lever.
There are four petrol and two diesel engines in the range. My test car's 1.4-litre TSI was surprisingly loud but had plenty of zip and achieves nearly 40mpg on the combined cycle.
The six-speed manual transmission features a magnesium selector housing and cable operation with very short lever movements, and is very smooth.
Reduced friction bearings further increase the efficiency of the engine and cut fuel consumption.
A sophisticated braking system featuring ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme) is fitted across the range and automatically senses any tendency for the car to slide. It reacts by applying the brakes to up to all four wheels and adjusts the engine power. In this way it is possible that a skid is corrected even before the driver is aware that one has started.
FAST FACTS
Volkswagen Jetta 1.4 SE TSI 4dr
Price: £16,502
Mechanical: 140ps, 1,390cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 128mph
0-62mph: 9.3 secs
Combined mpg: 39.8
Insurance: 10
CO2 emissions: 169g/km
BiK rating: 20%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles, 3yrs paint, 12yrs anti-rust