The new Volkswagen Jetta could be on the back foot before it even arrives. British buyers don’t usually go for small saloons, so its ilk is largely seen as a filler between the bigger-selling C-segment and D-segment models. Don’t discount it, though. This is no longer simply a Golf with a boot. Volkswagen has endowed its perennially forgettable small saloon with some individuality, so it now has a look and possibly a purpose all of its own. Substantial boot space and an exterior now suggestive of a small but well formed Passat give much more on-paper appeal than the Jetta enjoyed before. With a range starting at £19,580, it’s also very competitively priced. The best seller in the line-up is likely to be the 148bhp 2.0 TDI in base SE trim, which comes in at £23,205. Other engines from Volkswagen’s familiar line-up include 123bhp and 148bhp versions of the 1.4 TFSI petrol, while the diesel range is made up of a 108bhp and 148bhp variants of the 2.0 TDI. The Jetta is still a car pieced together from familiar parts, but its fresh looks and enticing price tag could make it one of VW’s top all-rounders. The best bits of the Passat and Golf in a well priced package? Or a model that exists only to mask the white noise between the other models that bookend it in the VW range? We’re here to find out.
This is the Skoda’s domain, and thanks to the simply huge 625-litre boot it’s easily the most versatile car. Drop the seats and it retains its advantage, because there are 1,760 litres on offer. There are a maximum of 1,450 litres in the Insignia Grand Sport. SE L Executive trim also offers a powered tailgate as standard, so it won’t be difficult to close that large hatchback. This isn’t by any means a necessity, but it’s still a nice feature to have. But it’s the interior space that makes it. This is the roomiest car of the three - not by much over the Vauxhall (there’s a bit more head and legroom) and by the same again compared with the Toyota. Skoda finished closest to the top of our manufacturers’ table in Driver Power 2019, taking fifth place. It backs up this reputation for reliability with safety; the Superb comes with Skoda’s Front Assist autonomous braking system as standard. Blind spot warning is also included, while you can upgrade with a £495 pack that also adds lane-keep assist.
Seven airbags and a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating mean it matches its rivals here for protection, so all three models will be solid family transport. Skoda’s £342 two-year servicing pack offers fairly good value, because the Vauxhall will cost £408 for two check-ups. Prices for the Camry haven’t been announced yet. Given all three cars get a similar level of safety kit, insurance costs are fairly close as well, but it’ll be the Skoda that’s cheapest for our example driver to cover, at £463 per year. The Vauxhall will only cost £5 more, while the Toyota comes in at £644 for a year’s cover. As with the Skoda, the Vauxhall is better with a diesel engine and in a lower trim, but the same ride and handling balance, plus mix of performance, practicality and affordability sees it just take the win here. Efficiency is okay, while the level of kit on offer is competitive, but the Grand Sport is at its best with either the less powerful 1.5 petrol or a diesel model that many drivers covering high mileages will benefit from.
The Camry just pips the Superb because it offers very low company car tax costs, which many people buying in this class will prioritise. The new platform means the Toyota also rides well, while it’s refined, comes very well equipped and should be affordable to run. However, it’s incredibly dull and the technology on offer is poor. The Camry is back on merit, but a diesel Skoda Superb is still a better bet. This 1.5 TSI isn’t the sweet spot of the Superb range because the car makes much more sense as a diesel, where it offers stronger performance and economy for not much more cash. We’d go for a manual, too, because the DSG box isn’t the best. Yet there is absolutely no faulting the Skoda’s quality, technology, practicality or ability. We hope the upcoming facelift addresses the petrol’s powertrain problems. A new, bigger 13kWh battery pack for the updated Passat GTE plug-in means an all-electric range of 35 miles, while power stays the same. Expect lower CO2 emissions than the Camry and great running costs.
