I agree that the Jetta is pretty spartan and cheapish inside and the exterior is very platicky for the money. However, one can get into a Passat Trendline right now for the same price. It has more base equipment than the Jetta Comfortline w/1.8 tsi, such as dual automatic climate control, fully automatic interior and exterior lighting, , soft plastic dash top and upper door panels and more exterior trim bits. It also has the same powertrain, voice activated blue Tooth tech and multifunctional trip computer w multifunctional leather wrapped steering wheel. It is larger, has a more comfortable interior and larger, wider cargo area. And, I averaged 6.8 l/100 km, mostly highway at 115 to 120 km/hr, on my last tank of gas. A real bargain in my estimation.
The 1.8 is smooth and has excellent tourque and plenty of power. It handles great and has good steering feel. And as far as reliability goes, the Golf I had peviously was my 1st VW and the first car I never had to take in for anything other than required maintenance, which was once a year or 15,000 km. Just sayin!