With the new VW Jetta to the Wolfsburg the notchback below the Passat class give fresh momentum. Comparison of 105 HP of strong initial engine with the base models of the Mazda 3 and Renault fluence.
Conventional, rigid and little considerable - so stamped compact sedan limousine deadlines a niche existence in this country for years. In Germany, the great golf & co. of majority of selects or - if she need more space - one of many vans, SUV or station wagons, which are simply more practical. In the car, but not only the value plays a role, although the loading volume of the notchback offshoots of the compact open is nothing to be desired - what you often also saw them.
The time of the clumsy box triangle is over and already Mazda 3 Renault fluence show. The most recent example which is earlier than backpack Golf calling VW Jetta, which now occurs so elegant and stately thanks to a longer wheelbase and an independent, harmoniously proportionate body as none of his predecessors. The two VW Jetta competitors work clearly palaces, but in fact hardly shorter.
Benefit from the new VW Jetta dimensions above all the space on the well padded back seat. Riders must be very large, with the head on the headliner, but above all to come with the knees to the front seats. Divided in klappbare seat back including Mazda and Renault on the scope of the series. You are also unlocked Jetta at the VW of the luggage compartment from which already contain proud 510 litres without extension. Odds and ends fit into side separate subjects, there is a catch for bags. Two unfaired Temple, pushing for vollgepacktem trunk on the luggage, keep the tailgate.
Mazda raises this elegant outside the opening hinged together with gas lift. His stub tail makes him look while travel-, swallows but with 430 litres less baggage. The pilot klappbaren rear seat backs are lockable theft-protection reasons, but their poor form reduces the comfort in the rear as well as the rather scarce knee room.
In the fluence the rear passengers even with Sun blinds on rear window and side window panes can protect themselves from exposure to sunlight (dynamic series). Although the related with the Megane, but independently dressed Renault sedan in this round the largest wheel-base grows, the seating comfort on the backseat to the the Jetta enough approach. It offers limited edition the thighs while the feet under the front seats find little place. In the high Stern disappears while most baggage (530 liters), but rather just the load fails with 409 kilograms. Also the Temple of the damper in the trunk, rise and the inside is a handle to the pinch - dirty fingers are so inevitable.
Speaking fingers: If remove their tips in the Interior of the surface, they touch all three hard, although routinely processed plastics. Even in the VW Jetta feels little flattering the door handles and side covers - Golf and Passat offer as more attention to detail. Otherwise, the cockpit with logically arranged control elements and practical storage corresponds to the known high brand standards.
The same applies to the driving experience. The Steering in the VW Jetta responds sensitive without being nervous, and mediated with the rigid chassis a handling which was also a sports sedan to shame. However, the test car on flat 17-inch wheels, offered by VW for the Comfortline facilities only in the package with the sports suspension (from 950 euro) rolled out. The comfort disadvantage associated limited but primarily to the stiff rolling behavior, while bumps at higher rate be confidently kept out of the inmates. Comfort friends remain in the standard 16-Zollern, especially as the VW Jetta developed naturally no sprinter qualities with the 105-HP petrol engine. Can be still no talk of lack of temperament. The smooth-running 1.2 TSI provides early enough thrust and feels with the upper levels of the six-speed transmission to whether not overwhelmed. The reward: a respectable test consumption of only 7.3 L / 100 km.
In the Mazda 3, you can expect with much more. His equally strong 1, 6-litre suction cup approved proud 8.7 litres, but like high running smoothness and Rotary willingness. Thus, it fits to the handy dynamic nature of the Japanese, who rewarded his driver with tightly upholstered seat, a sufficiently direct steering and a crisp five gear. However the passengers of the road condition be informed always well - appealing suspension seems unwilling to leave out any details.
In the Renault it is slightly better the inmates even though he is also in the dynamique equipment on 17-inch alus - however is the technical effort of a multi-link rear suspension. The seats with soft padded cheeks are although comfortable, offer but little lateral support. With its attractive synthetic steering the fluence not to the lively curve dance, animated anyway and the drive revealed little momentum. With 110 HP, 1, 6-litre on paper is the strongest, but in practice he lags behind with tough power delivery and aware sound. A sixth gear, which could reduce the ROAR at highway leveling speed or consumption (8.4 liters), is missing.
Nevertheless draws the fluence the ACE from his sleeve when it comes to paying. With initial motor and equipment line dynamique, which leaves little extra wishes, there is the sedan for 19.950 euro. For a comparable level buyer's Jetta, VW must order the Comfortline (22,600 euros) plus automatic climate control, cruise control, or a schlussellosen access. The Mazda 3 exclusive line (21.790 euro) shines with windscreen heating or lane change Assistant, and something about the Renault sorted like at the bottom line price. Even with the VW Jetta agree ultimately the relations, because for most of the money is also most provided.
