Volkswagen Jetta Testing and review

Critics usually found the fourth generation acceptable. The car was praised for its adequate handling as well as a moderately comfortable ride.




Other reviewers noted the car to be an ugly and somewhat expensive choice in the compact car segment, some simply referred to it as a golf with a boot on the back added as a last minute addition. Some complaints were made that the back seats lacked adequate room for two adults.


Some found the seat cushioning too firm. The interior was praised for the high level of fit, but is quite bland, sparsely equipped, and uninspiring. New in this generation was Volkswagen's signature blue and red instrument lighting which became standard in all models in 1999. The climate controls were placed low on the console. The recirculation mode cannot be turned on when air is vented to the windshield, and if the driver changes the climate control to vent air to the windshield, an internal mechanism would turn off the recirculation mode. The power outlet is recessed next to the ash tray and is covered with two flaps, one of which is shared with the ash tray. Retractable cup holders were placed directly above the stereo, obscuring vision of the stereo display and allowing beverages to spill on the stereo, gear selector, and other sensitive components during erratic vehicle movements.


The flimsy plastic construction of the retractable cup holder is likely to fail with normal use. Rear passengers do not have access to cup holders. These problems were rectified in 2003 by placing two recessed cup holders in tandem in the center console and another behind the arm rest pedestal for rear passengers. The driver must raise the arm rest to access the center cup holder, and a large beverage occupying the front cup holder obstructs the driver's ability to pull the hand brake.

Volkswagen Jetta




Volkswagen Jetta


Volkswagen Jetta


Volkswagen Jetta


Volkswagen Jetta




Volkswagen Jetta


Volkswagen Jetta


Volkswagen Jetta


Volkswagen Jetta


Volkswagen Jetta




Typical damage to front bumper cover from inadequate ground clearance.
Typical damage to the front bumper cover resulting from parking into a curb without adequate ground clearance. The bumper cover has been temporarily fixed into place with white duct tape.

Drivers complained that the front bumper cover does not have adequate ground clearance to clear a curb in a parking space. In addition to scratching the cover, if the driver drives the Jetta too far forward into a parking space, the bumper cover would have a tendency to hook onto the curb like a barb, and as the driver backs out of the parking space, the entire front bumper cover would be torn off the vehicle.

The earlier models have a few quality control issues, as a number of owners reported windows falling into the doors, electrical problems, and emissions system defects. The fourth generation takes approximately 52 hours per vehicle to assemble in the Puebla factory. In contrast, General Motors' Spring Hill Assembly Plant took approximately 18 hours to build a Saturn Ion, a car similar in size to the Mk4.


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