Ford Focus and VW Jetta in the driving report: notchback sedans

A ch, you will find notchback Sedans like the Ford Focus and the VW Jetta are as attractive as deer antlers or toilet paper rolls with a crochet cover? Then why not try to bring the new flat screen TV home in your chic coupé (no, leaving the tailgate open does not apply). And the glass xylophone from behind has been annoying for the whole week because you haven't managed to finally bring your empty beer crates over to the drinks dealer?

Well, a locked trunk also has its advantages in terms of acoustics . Although station wagons or SUVs are very popular in this country, most vehicle rear ends around the world still have steps.

18 centimeters extra for the rear of the Ford Focus Notchback

No wonder that Ford also does brings the new Focus onto the market in this variant, with which the career of its predecessor Escort began in 1968. Up to the B-pillar and the wheelbase, the four-door Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi corresponds to its compact brother, the 18 extra centimeters completely benefit the rear. With a trunk volume of 475 liters, it swallows at least two more large travel bags.

If you are only traveling with two people, you can also fold down the rear seat of the Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi, for example to bring mountain bikes to an almost flat loading area Push through the front seats. Someone should say that such a notchback model is not variable.

The VW Jetta 2.0 TDI also offers a folding rear bench as standard, but one step remains because of the fixed seat. But with its 510 liter standard trunk, which is easy to load thanks to the wide cutout, it is almost looking towards the luxury class. After all, a Mercedes S-Class with its 560 liters cannot cope with that much more.

Body-shaped rear seat in the VW Jetta sedan

The VW Jetta 2.0 TDI also gives its rear passengers ample space. Thanks to the wheelbase, which is eight centimeters longer than the Golf platform dispenser, and the extremely ergonomic rear seat, adults feel comfortable even on longer journeys. The high-quality materials also contribute to a good mood: plastics and carpets, but also the control elements in the VW Jetta are better to touch than in the simple Ford Focus notchback.

VW has saved the Jetta on the safety equipment. AlthoughThe Passat and Touran can be equipped with many assistance systems since the facelift, there are not even xenon headlights for the younger VW Jetta.

The Ford Focus, on the other hand, can be equipped like a big one with almost all currently available electronic guardian angels . If you choose the extensive driver assistance package for 1,375 euros, traffic signs are shown in the on-board computer display, are warned of collisions with cars in the blind spot when changing lanes or are prevented from accidentally leaving the lane by means of steering intervention.

Light-footed Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi

But the Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi also reacts lightly and directly to the driver's steering commands, as if it wanted to waggle away from dusty notchback prejudices with youthful freshness. On winding country roads, however, the bustling Ford Focus seems almost over-motivated and requires frequent course corrections. Its massive and powerful two-liter common-rail diesel with 140 hp fits the lively four-door car perfectly.

Despite the equality of power and torque, the two-liter TDI in the VW Jetta bites a bit toothless, without that he would have to let himself be left behind. The VW Jetta 2.0 TDI also approaches corners a bit more relaxed, does not steer in quite as jaggedly, is unimpressed by load changes and exudes a high level of maturity with its sensitive steering. Like the Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi, the VW Jetta 2.0 TDI buys its safe driving behavior through an overall tight chassis setting that allows only little body roll in curves. Above all, short bumps knock through vigorously.

Adaptive dampers for relief are not on the option list here as there. In return, the driver and passenger in the VW Jetta sit on the more comfortable armchairs with more lateral support and enjoy a better view of the outside thanks to the narrower roof posts at the front and rear. The even more powerful brakes as well as an immediately logical operation also contribute to relaxation.

VW Jetta 4,000 euros more expensive than Ford Focus

The handling of the expressively designed cockpit of the Ford Focus notchback applies however, to learn it. The assistance systems in particular want to be adjusted using steering wheel buttons and menus with up to five sub-levels and cryptic labeling (e.g. LS Safety Sys, BLIS).

However, when looking at the chapter on costs, it is also the case with the VW Jetta 2.0 TDI with the relaxation over. In the Highline version, it is around 4,000 euros more expensive than the Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi Trend. It does have a few practical extras such as a parking beeper, armrests or heated seats on board, but at the same time dispensable accessories such as 17-inch aluminum rims, leather steering wheel or chrome strips around the side windows. It doesn’t help the VW Jetta much that it consumes an average of 0.3 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers with almost identical monthly costsApproved.

Both candidates disappoint in one point: Two years warranty is extremely poor in view of the sometimes generous warranty regulations of many competitors. But the brave notchback sedans can do nothing for that. Rather, the strategists at Ford and VW are rather conservative and conservative.