As Popular As Ever
Have you ever driven in a Volkswagen product? Anyone nearing or past forty should be able to answer yes to that question, as the original Beetle was as popular as a car could be during the 60s and 70s. Since then the brand has gone through a metamorphosis, from the purveyor of fun but plebian transportation to one of the most respected entry luxury automakers in the business.
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| The Jetta has grown a lot over the years, and risen in status. (Photo: Volkswagen) |
The Jetta, that started as little more than a VW Rabbit with a trunk attached to the back, has now become the vehicle of choice for trendy urban up-and-comers. It's that interim signature of status showing its owner is well on the way up to an Audi A4 or BMW 3-Series. Preceding the 4th generation (current) car that launched in model year 1999, the 1994 through 1998 Jetta was not quite as refined. Still it offered good looks and a more upscale interior than anything else in its compact class.
Volkswagen had just moved production of North American destined cars from Wolfsburg, Germany to a new assembly facility in Mexico, mostly to cut costs. While this plant is now equal to its European counterparts, initial quality problems plagued earlier examples of the model while delaying its launch in Canada until later in 1994.
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| Its tall body makes the Jetta a very roomy and comfortable car. (Photo: Volkswagen) |
Styling was reminiscent of its larger Passat sibling, tidied it up both inside and out. Jetta fans laud the car's high quality interior, generous standard features and spacious trunk, larger than most midsize cars. Its seating position seems to suit both short and tall drivers, the latter fitting better with the optional sunroof deleted.