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