Braking, Tyres, Safety - Volkswagen Jetta road test

Safety is given high priority - at least six airbags are standard!

Braking, Tyres, Safety

Before one gets used to their initial bite, the Jetta's brakes feel grabby at normal speeds. This initial bite is much more useful at high speed; it helps reign in speed quickly and effectively. The brakes are powerful, and ABS helps channel that power effectively. The 205/55 R16 Continental Sportcontact 2 tyres also play their part - they have a lot of grip, and are fairly silent at speed.

In addition to ABS, the petrol has ASR (Accelerative Slip Reduction) which essentially is traction control. The diesel offers ESP, which is more useful as it keeps the car going in the direction the front wheels are pointing at all times. Six airbags (eight in the Comfortline trim) cushion the occupants should there be a crash, and the 'Plus' anti-theft warning system will make sure your Jetta doesn't get carried away in the dead of the night.