Key Facts:
Model tested: Volkswagen Jetta 1.6TDI, Volkswagen Jetta 2.0TDI Bluemotion DSG
On the road price: TBC
Date tested: January 2011
Road tester: Richard Dredge

A new Volkswagen Jetta reaches UK showrooms in April. Its maker claims the Jetta is more than just a Golf with a boot - with no external panels shared between the two, it's a claim that withstands some scrutiny.

More importantly, the new Jetta also has a longer wheelbase than the Golf, as well as the outgoing Jetta. There's an extra 70mm between the front and rear axles, and virtually all of that has been used to provide extra rear seat leg room.

The result is a rear seat that's spacious, with ample head and leg room, while the sculpted seats are much more suppportive than many of the rather flat benches seen in some rivals.

By increasing the car's length and the amount of rear overhang, VW has also boosted the boot capacity to a seriously useful 510 litres. With a standard 60/40 split folding rear seat though, this can be expanded further.

UK Jetta buyers can choose between one petrol engine and a pair of diesels, with the former unit offered in two forms. The options will be:

• 1.4 TSI: 120bhp, 147lb/ft, 45.6mpg, 144g/km CO2, 126mph, 9.9sec 0-62mph
• 1.4 TSI: 158bhp, 177lb/ft, 44.8mpg, 147g/km CO2, 137mph, 8.3sec 0-62mph
• 1.6 TDI: 103bhp, 184lb/ft, 62.8mpg, 119g/km CO2, 118mph, 11.7sec 0-62mph
• 2.0 TDI: 138bhp, 236lb/ft, 58.8mpg, 126g/km CO2, 130mph, 9.5sec 0-62mph

A BlueMotion edition of the 1.6-litre TDI will also be offered, with stop and start plus regenerative braking. With this technology 67mpg is possible, while CO2 emissions drop to just 109g/km.

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The diesel engines come with a five-speed manual gearbox, while the petrol engines get an extra ratio, but a seven-speed DSG twin-clutch semi-automatic transmission is available at extra cost with all powerplants.

Our test drive took in the two diesel engines only - a 1.6-litre TDI manual and a 2-litre TDI with DSG. The driving experience is typical VW. That means it's not especially involving to drive, and the ride and handling are good rather than exceptional, while refinement is superb.

Both transmissions are slick, while the TDI engines are smooth and refined with a linear power delivery. The 2-litre edition offers more power and performance, but aside from that it's hard to separate the two.

The 1.6-litre TDI is perfectly quick enough for everyday use, while also being more economical than the 2-litre engine.

There will be a choice of three trim levels, ranging between S, SE and Sport. Volkswagen has yet to reveal prices and specifications, but the cheapest, the 1.4-litre TSI 120 SE, will be around £17,000.

The most popular variant will be the 1.6-litre TDI S, at £18,500 or so, leaving the 2-litre TDI closer to £20,000. In due course there will be a hybrid too, but not until 2012 at the earliest.

Sitting between the Golf and Passat, the Jetta offers space, comfort, performance and equipment with a healthy dose of discreet style. It doesn't offer quite the practicality of the Golf, but for most people, there's still more than enough.