Established in 1937, Volkswagen is among the top car manufacturers across the globe. Comfort, vehicle handling and higher driveability are the core features of Volkswagen. To add to its renowned model lineup, Volkswagen launched a compact sedan called the Jetta, which incorporated comfort and style. This car competed with other high-end automobiles and soon became a popular choice for its durability and driveability.
Here are the feature specs of different generations of evolution of the Volkswagen Jetta over the years.
Generations of Volkswagen Jetta
According to the annual used car market report 2021, the Volkswagen Jetta is one of the most popular cars in the UAE.
Here are Volkswagen Jetta generations that will show its progress through the decades and justify its popularity.
FIRST-GENERATION VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (1979-1985)
The first Volkswagen Jetta generation was unveiled in 1979 at the Frankfurt Auto Show.
It was available in two-door and four-door sedan body styles. It had a wheelbase of 94.5 inches and stood at a height of 55.51 inches. The front fascia was adorned with flat rectangular sealed headlamps and the VW logo was placed at the front grille.
The interior was decorated with colour-coordinated sill-to-sill carpeting. It also had velour-upholstered seats and offered seating for five. The luggage capacity was 13.3ft3.
The engines ranged from a 1.1-litre four-cylinder to a 1.8-litre four-cylinder with power ranging from 50 to 100 horsepower. An optional 1.6-litre diesel engine was also introduced. For the transmission, an optional four-speed or five-speed manual transmission system and a three-speed automatic transmission were offered.
SECOND-GENERATION VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (1985-1992)
The second-generation Volkswagen Jetta models had the highest number of sales. It was made heavier and more spacious than the first generation and secured the title of best-selling European car in North America.
In the second generation, the front-quarter windows were eliminated and lower-side skirts were added.
Moreover, the wheelbase was extended by 2.6 inches. Improvised aerodynamics provided a drag coefficient of 0.36.
The increased wheelbase resulted in spacious cargo space. It was increased by 14% which transitioned the car from a sub-compact to a compact. The cargo space was expanded to 16.6 ft3. The second-generation models offered a seating of four.
The engine specifications received minor changes. A three-speed automatic transmission was made optional. A fully electronic fuel-injection system was also introduced.
THIRD-GENERATION VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (1992-1998)
The third-generation Volkswagen Jetta was introduced as Vento for specific markets.
In this generation, an all-new aero design for the sedan was introduced. The rounded exterior had a wider C-pillar and the trunk length was increased. In addition to this, new headlights were added with an inner side look. The rear headlights were square-shaped and split between the panels and trunk lid.
The interior came as leather-wrapped and with a curved dashboard. The dashboard was installed with high-mounted vents.
The third-generation models included second-generation engines with minor changes. A five-speed manual transmission was paired with a 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and front-wheel drivetrain system.
FOURTH-GENERATION VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (1999-2005)
Volkswagen launched the sedan lineup with different names such as Bora, Vento and Jetta for different markets.
A conventional grille and squared headlights adorned the front fascia. The hood sat lower than the trunk line, which gave the car a sportier look. The wheelbase was increased to 99 inches.
The interior was modified with a flat bench at the back and a pair of regular seats in the front. The dashboard featured a stereo on top of a climate control unit. The instrument cluster consisted of four analogue dials and two LCDs inside the tachometer and car speedometer.
The new Jetta engine versions were available with an AWD drivetrain system. 2.8-litre VR6 and 3.2-litre VR6 engines were introduced with an optional 1.9-litre diesel engine. In the mid of 2005, a six-speed automatic transmission was also introduced.
FIFTH-GENERATION VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (2005-2011)
The fifth generation was introduced under the nameplate of Jetta rather than the different names previously used. The Jetta was available in 3 trims: Trendline, Sportline and Comfortable
The front fascia was equipped with a chrome radiator grille and an optional panoramic roof. The wheelbase was increased to 101.6 inches. LED taillights were added for better illumination. The vehicle was given a more aerodynamic look and made larger than the previous models.
The wider wheelbase made the cabin more spacious. As a result, the cargo space was expanded to 18.6 ft3.
Moreover, an inline five-cylinder engine and a 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine became the standard for 2.0T and GLI models. They were paired with a six-speed manual transmission. An optional six-speed dual-clutch transmission was also offered.
Many advanced safety features were added to the fifth generation. They included active head restraints, 6 airbags, power windows and emergency brake assist.
SIXTH-GENERATION VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (2011-2018)
The sixth generation of Volkswagen Jetta rolled out in 2011, taking many features from the Golf Model.
This model of the Jetta was launched as a wagon body type. The front fascia was adorned with sharp and narrow headlights. The beltline ran from the headlights, all the way to the taillights giving it the signature angular look. The wheelbase was extended to 104 inches and had a ground clearance of 5.3 inches.
The centre console was installed with air-conditioning vents. A split-folding rear bench seat back was also added. An infotainment system screen was installed in the centre stack. The upholstery was replaced with a leatherette.
wide range of engine specs was also introduced. It included a 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine which produced a power of 170 hp and a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine with 140 hp. These engines came with the options of five and six-speed manual transmissions and six-speed automatic transmissions.
A 1.4-litre turbo hybrid engine was also available, producing a combined 170 hp and 184 Nm of torque.
SIXTH-GENERATION VOLKSWAGEN JETTA FACELIFT (2014)
In 2014, the Jetta received a facelift. A stiffer rear independent suspension was added for better handling. A 1.8-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged engine replaced the 2.5-litre engine.
SEVENTH-GENERATION VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (2018- PRESENT)
The seventh Volkswagen Jetta generation was unveiled in 2018 at the North American Auto Show.
The front fascia was modified with three horizontal chromed lines. Additional side windows were added to the rear doors along with wider taillights.
The car offered a seating of five. A thin-film transistor (TFT) instrument cluster display along with an 8-inch infotainment system screen was mounted with the steering wheel. The standard unit display was 6.5 inches and equipped with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The Jetta was offered in five trims: S, SE, R-Line, SEL, and SEL Premium. All the trims were powered by 6-speed manual transmission and an option 8-speed gearbox. The sedan featured a McPherson suspension in the front and a torsion beam suspension in the rear.
SEVENTH-GENERATION VOLKSWAGEN JETTA FACELIFT (2021)
In 2021, the Jetta received a facelift of the seventh generation.
The front fascia was modified with two chromed bars and a Volkswagen logo in the middle. In the GLI models, a red strip ran across the bumper.
A 10-inch Digital Cockpit Pro was added to the instrument cluster. The infotainment system was upgraded to the MIB3 version for GLI and became optional for the rest of the versions.
The entire range is now available with the option of a dual-clutch transmission. A 1.5-litre turbocharged unit has been introduced for almost all versions.
This is all about the Volkswagen Jetta history. It is widely known for its spacious seating, fuel-efficient engines and comfortable ride. Since its reveal in 1979, it has been one of the top picks for family and company cars. Therefore, if you also want to avail these features, go through these used Volkswagen Jetta in the UAE and add one to your collection.
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