Despite being lighter than the previous model, Volkswagen claims that this version is actually safer, although it hasn’t been tested by Euro NCAP. Buyers get six airbags as standard including driver and front passenger, side airbags in the front and curtain airbags in the front and rear. Stability control is standard and comes with trailer stabilisation and counter-steering support which helps to keep the car in a straight line when breaking heavily.

It also gets ABS, anti-slip regulation (ASR) and electronic locking differential (EDS).

Despite the boot space being slightly smaller than its predecessor at 510 litres (the previous generation Jetta had 527 litres), it still has a huge amount of load-lugging space and is only 55 litres off the Passat Saloon. Bearing this in mind the Jetta makes absolute sense as a cheaper alternative to the larger saloon. The rear seats split 60:40 to make things even more practical.

However, the centre seat belt is attached to a bar behind the rear seats. This means it can’t be moved and could get in the way of larger items that you try to place in the back. As before there is plenty of stowage space available with generously sized door pockets and decent sized storage in the armrest in the front.