The “parallel” second-generation Volkswagen Tiguan from China now costs at least 4.5 million rubles, and prices for the Skoda Kodiaq easily go over 5 million. But there is still an option to get the technology of a German concern at a much lower cost, however, you will have to come to terms with the fact that the brand will be Chinese, and all that “European school” will be hidden under the body. But you won’t have to sacrifice the warranty. So, let’s get acquainted with the Jetta VS5 and VS7 crossovers, which recently underwent an update.
The Jetta brand is still young – it literally just celebrated its fifth anniversary. Initially, the cars were created for the Chinese market as a product of a joint venture between FAW and Volkswagen. So far, the brand’s line consists of three models: the VA3 sedan (in fact, the closest relative of the well-known Polo/Rapid, which was assembled in Kaluga), as well as the VS5 and VS7 crossovers, which differ only in size (the difference in the wheelbase is 10 centimeters). And all of them are now officially presented on the Russian market.
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As befits a regular restyling, changes in car design are small and targeted. Both crossovers received different bumpers and radiator grilles with a new logo, side sills in body color, an enlarged spoiler on the roof of the trunk, as well as a large Jetta inscription instead of the logo, which still meant little to most potential buyers. Well, they also added new body colors to the cars (although the palette is still modest – black, white, gray and blue), and the chrome trim was removed from the VS5. And that’s all, actually.
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In person, both crossovers look good – there is some distant external kinship with their German counterparts, but there is no sense of direct copying or imitation either. Although some things are a little confusing: for example, the excessively large slots of the radiator grilles (the mesh will definitely not be superfluous), and the VS5 also has large ventilation slots between it and the hood, and without any seals inside. Therefore, the crossover’s engine compartment will become covered with dirt or even snow flying through it in winter literally in a second.
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But for the VS5 they added a top-end Brilliant modification with black body accents (roof, roof rails, rear-view mirrors, wheels), which the older model cannot boast of.
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Inside, there are even fewer changes, but they make the cars feel a little more pleasant. Now, instead of “oak” finishing materials, soft plastic is used on the front panel and in the upper part of the door panels (though only in the front part of the cabin), the design of the seat trim has changed, and the VS5 can be ordered with blue inserts in the interior, and the VS7 with light gray.
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Otherwise, everything is well known – around the driver there are all-Volkswagen fittings, including the steering wheel, steering column levers, climate control unit, gear selector and various buttons. It’s comfortable to sit, visibility is good and everything is in its place, without unnecessary pretentiousness, as many Chinese manufacturers now like to do. The electronic instrumentation is simple and not overloaded with information, and the on-board computer menu is translated into Russian. Although the multimedia complex, although it was updated, still remains in English.
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There are no questions about the logic of the interface and the speed of the multimedia, but something else causes misunderstanding. For example, Apple CarPlay is available for the mid-range VS5 trim levels, but the expensive versions of the model have a more advanced system, as the Chinese themselves believe.
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Therefore, support for Apple devices was removed from it as unnecessary, instead flashing its own interface, which requires the installation of a separate Chinese application. Which doesn’t make much sense for Russia, just like a bunch of applications “prescribed” in the complex that simply don’t work for us.
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The Jetta VS7, as befits an older model, is also richer in equipment. It has a panoramic roof (instead of the sunroof on the “five”), wireless charging, an auto-dimming mirror and an armrest in the front part of the cabin that is adjustable in length and angle. In addition, the “seven” has a center armrest on the second row, while VS5 passengers will have to do without it.
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It’s much more interesting what’s underneath the Jett’s body. The crossovers are built on Volkswagen’s modular MQB platform with a rear multi-link, the engine is a well-known in Russia 1.4-liter EA211 turbo engine with 150 horsepower (250 Nm), paired with a six-speed Aisin automatic transmission, familiar, for example, from the Skoda Octavia 1.6.
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Crossovers can only be front-wheel drive – all-wheel drive is not available even for an additional fee. And there is no need to talk about any off-road ambitions: the ground clearance of the models differs by only five millimeters – 170 millimeters for the VS5 and 175 millimeters for the VS7, and no electronic presets or selection of driving modes are provided for the Jetta.
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The official 0-62mph time is the same at 10 seconds, but the Jetts don’t feel slow. The cars drive similarly: linear responses to pressing the gas pedal, peppy character of the turbo engine and smooth operation of the automatic transmission. For urban driving, the power of the power plant is enough for both cars, and on the highway it is better to switch the transmission to Sport – the crossovers will drive a little more vigorously, but for long overtaking you still want to get more agility from the Jatt.
The VS5 and VS7 also steer similarly and almost “Volkswagen-like”: I would like the steering effort to be stronger, but the information content is good, and the exciting handling is almost the same as that of relatives from the German concern. Crossovers are responsive, understandable and feel like fairly balanced cars.
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You can learn more about how the VS5 behaves in our comparison test with the GAC GS3. We can only confirm that the younger crossover is perceived as denser than the older model.
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On rough roads, the Jetta VS7 feels smoother, more comfortable and more refined. However, this results in rolls in fast turns and slight sway on transverse waves.
At the same time, the car hardly pays attention to small things, and any average unevenness on country roads does not bother either the driver or passengers – they are handled quite gently. The crossover will seem harsh only at sharp joints, but during the test it never reached the point of critical discomfort.
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The noise insulation of the models is average: Chinese tires noisy at highway speeds, but the overall level is quite good, considering the overall budget design.
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But the prices, unfortunately, are not so budget-friendly. The Jetta VS5 is offered in four trim levels. The basic version for 3 million rubles is equipped with LED optics, climate control, a multimedia system, rear parking sensors and a fabric interior. The option with Apple CarPlay, keyless entry, a rear view camera and a rain sensor will cost 100 thousand rubles more, and if you pay another 200 thousand, the car will receive heated front seats, digital tidy and dual-zone climate control. The top option costs 3,350,000 rubles. The equipment includes a surround view system, adaptive cruise control and a six-speaker audio system.
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The flagship Jetta VS7 after restyling has only two trim levels: for 3,367,000 and 3,529,000 rubles. The first option includes wireless charging, a panoramic roof, cruise control, all-round visibility, and climate control. And the top-end car will additionally receive leather trim, adaptive cruise, 18-inch wheels, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a number of other options.
The Jetta seems to be a very interesting car with almost European handling and chassis settings, and even with proven Volkswagen units. But if we discard the “almost German” pedigree and take a closer look at the competitors, a slightly different picture emerges. For just over three million rubles, many Chinese manufacturers offer models with good winter packages and richer equipment. But in terms of driving characteristics, some of these cars may be inferior to the Jetta. And for some, that same “European school” may be more important than the goodies of equipment. /m
GAC GS3 and Jetta VS5 VW technologies thanks to FAW: analyzing Russian new Jetta Citroen C5 Aircross Car Jetta VS7 Like Chassis and handling settings, VW units Dislike Incomplete “winter package”, lack of Apple CarPlay Verdict For those who miss the good old VW and Skoda Engine 1395 cm³, petrol L4 turbo, 150 hp, 250 Nm TransmissionAKP-6 Digits 10.2 s; 175 km/hSpring.d. Jetta VS7 Jetta VS5 Engine type petrol L4 turbo petrol L4 turbo Displacement, cm³ 1395 1395 Max. power, hp /rpm 150/5000–600 150/5000–6000 Max. torque, Nm/rpm 250/1750–3000 250/1750–3000 Drive type front front Gearbox automatic 6-speed automatic 6-speed Front suspension spring, McPherson spring, McPherson Rear suspension spring, multi-link spring, multi-link Dimensions (LxWxH ), mm 4624x1841x1624 4418x1841x1616 Wheelbase, mm 2730 2630 Curb weight, kg 1370 1350 Trunk volume, l 548 482 Acceleration 0–100 km/h, s 10.2 10 Max. speed, km/h 175 175 Fuel consumption (combined), l/100 km 7.1 7.1 Fuel tank volume, l 51 51 Price, rub. from 3,367,000 from 3,000,000
