| The Volkswagen Jetta, or the VW Jetta is a | | | | featured changes with added large, |
| car that is made by the Volkswagen Company | | | | body-colored bumper covers, low side skirts |
| and is basically a sedan variation of the | | | | and side-clad and grille alterations. |
| Volkswagen Golf. The name 'VW Jetta' was used | | | | |
| only in South Africa and North America until | | | | From 1991 through 1998, the third generation |
| 2005. Volkswagen used the names 'Vento' and | | | | of VW Jetta was dubbed the "poor man's BMW" |
| then 'Bora' in Europe. The VW Jetta was made | | | | as it was loaded with trim features. The |
| because the marketing people at Volkswagen | | | | exterior of third generation VW Jettas were |
| were astute enough to realize that the people | | | | considered to be 'boxy' and had subtle body |
| in the United States preferred to drive sedan | | | | changes like a new grille, assorted wheel |
| model cars as opposed to hatchback models | | | | covers and body-colored rub strips. The VW |
| like VW's Golf car. South Africa shows | | | | Jetta from this time period was available in |
| similar preferences and so marketing for both | | | | the GL, which is the basic trim, and the GLS, |
| America and South Africa remains almost | | | | which is the luxury model trimmed with |
| identical. Volkswagen's marketing team proved | | | | leather interior and power windows, locks and |
| that they made advantageous observations as | | | | sunroof as well as many other features. |
| the Jetta eventually became the best selling | | | | |
| European car in the United States. | | | | The fourth generation of the VW Jetta came |
| | | | out late in 1998 and continued production |
| The Jetta first made its debut in North | | | | until 2005. This Jetta shared some of the |
| America in 1980. It was available as either a | | | | same styling marks as the larger VW Passat. |
| two-door coupe or a four-door sedan. This | | | | The body of the fourth generation VW Jetta |
| model had a different version called the | | | | includes a rounder shape and arched |
| Volkswagen Fox that was sold only in South | | | | rooflines. This VW Jetta was made in a |
| Africa. The original US VW Jetta model was | | | | variety of trim levels as well as in a wagon |
| manufactured and sold from 1980 though 1984. | | | | version. The fourth generation VW Jetta was |
| | | | made in a few different models with the GL |
| The next generation of VW Jettas proved to be | | | | being the base model, the GLS a slightly |
| the most successful for Volkswagen and | | | | higher model and the GLX being the luxury |
| remained in production from 1985 through | | | | model. |
| 1992. In the United States alone, the VW | | | | |
| Jetta outsold the VW Golf by almost half. | | | | The fifth generation of the VW Jetta was |
| This is the time when the Jetta saw its peak | | | | unveiled at the 2005 Los Angeles Auto Show. |
| sales and was named the best-selling European | | | | The latest generation of the VW Jetta is |
| car in America. This version of the VW Jetta | | | | larger than the previous generation with |
| was also one of the first Volkswagen cars to | | | | luxury styling and a roomy interior. This |
| be made in China. The difference between the | | | | model of the VW Jetta is also the first to |
| first generation of VW Jettas and the second | | | | feature an independent rear suspension system |
| generation was in the body design as the car | | | | and a new 5 cylinder engine. |