2015 Volkswagen Jetta vs Skoda Octavia diesel comparison

If there’s one manufacturer that has woken up to the fact that updates and makeovers help keep things exciting for buyers, it’s Volkswagen. Over the past few months, it’s brought out the upgraded Polo, the revamped Vento and now this, the facelifted Jetta. But while the revisions to the Polo and Vento were born out of necessity (read: to take on superior competition), the Jetta has it much easier. All it needs to do is better its Czech cousin, the Skoda Octavia, to reclaim its former spot as the best executive sedan to buy in India. Trouble for the Jetta is, the Octavia is not an easy obstacle to get by — it’s a brilliantly rounded car, more so in fully loaded diesel automatic form, as the one we have here today. So, does the equivalent version of the revised Jetta pack in enough to take it to the top? 

Let’s first take a look at what the ‘new’ Jetta is relying on to make this ascent. On the outside, there’s little radically different on the car. The headlights, for one, are ever so slightly sharper, with more of that LED-bejewelled look that debuted on the 2013 update of the car. This apart, there’s a slightly reprofiled bonnet, a larger grille with three chrome slats instead of two, and a restyled air dam with new fog lamps. Subtle as these changes are, they do make the car look a bit wider than before and in a way, more like the now-discontinued Passat. There’s more of that connect at the rear too. The tail-lights now come with a neat-looking wedge to the lower section and the tail gate is cleaner as well. On the whole, the tweaks do help refresh what was a smart and well-balanced sedan to begin with.

Looks may be a subjective issue, but to us, the Skoda’s sharper lines look more special still. It’s understated, like the Jetta, but has that crucial bit of flash. The LED daytime-running lights, tasteful chrome detailing and contrast roof (visible on lighter colours) are partly responsible for this. It is nicely proportioned too, and neatly incorporates the practicality of a wide-opening hatchback tail gate into what is a sedan shape. A look at the boot will also tell you it’s significantly bigger — 590 litres versus the Jetta’s still large 510 litres.

VW has used the update to spruce up the cabin too. There are a few new ‘feel good’ bits such as the binnacled instrument cluster and sporty looking flat-bottomed steering wheel. It must be said, these elements do add a touch more premium-ness to the Jetta’s already well-turned out cabin. Attention to detail remains superb, all surfaces are nice to touch, and there’s a pleasing heft to even the smallest controls — just what you’d expect in a German car. As for features, all Jettas gain a new fatigue detection system that monitors steering inputs to alert you if it senses you are drowsy, and cruise control has become standard fitment too. As before, Highline trim (the only trim on automatic Jettas) cars get a touchscreen for the infotainment system, automatic climate control and leather seats. But, also as before, top Jettas still don’t get a sunroof or a memory function for the driver’s seat.

The last two items are important features you’d get on the Octavia in top Elegance trim. What the Octavia also gets you is a touchscreen (albeit a smaller one) with a more modern interface. But it’s not the infotainment system alone; the Octavia’s whole dashboard looks more contemporary. It’s beautifully finished too, but like the rest of the car, it feels a shade down on build quality vis-à-vis the Jetta. The Octavia’s doors, for instance, don’t shut with the same deep ‘thunk’ as the Jetta’s doors, and squeaks from the door trims aren’t uncommon either. However, in terms of seat comfort, each has its strengths. The Octavia has the edge with its nicely judged cushioning and higher seating position (allowing for a better view out) but the Jetta’s rear seat offers more support. Space-wise, the Octavia uses its longer wheelbase and higher roof to offer more room to stretch out in the back. Not that the Jetta will give you any reason for complaint either — there’s lots of legroom, plenty of shoulder room and enough headroom in it as well. Middle occupants also get a dedicated headrest in the Jetta, but centre passengers will have to contend with hard seats and high centre tunnels. So, in the static rounds of this competition, it’s hard to declare a clear winner.

Where the differences do become more pronounced is when the driving begins. A lot of that is down to how the Jetta and Octavia differ in their chassis. The Jetta is built on the VW Group’s older PQ35 platform, while the Octavia is among the first few cars to use the more modern MQB as its basis. Aside from bringing with it the advantages of a lighter body, the MQB also allows the Octavia to use the latest versions of VW’s engines. That’s why the Octy and Jetta differ, if only marginally, on power and torque spread despite using essentially the same four-cylinder, 2.0-litre, turbo-diesel engine. For reference, on the Octavia, the engine makes 141bhp at 4,000rpm and 32.6kgm between 1,750 and 3,000rpm. On the Jetta, it’s good for 138bhp at 4,200rpm and 32.6kgm between 1,750 and 2,500rpm. The duo do use the identical dual-clutch six speed gearbox with the same set of ratios, though.

Another area of difference is the rear suspension. The Jetta comes with a sophisticated independent rear suspension, while Skoda hasn’t been as generous on the Octy which, in diesel form, uses a relatively basic torsion beam setup. Truth is, the inferior suspension does cost the Octavia a bit in terms of low-speed ride comfort. For starters, the suspension can get quite clunky and noisy at times — resonance in the huge boot cavity only seems to amplify the sounds further. The suspension also tends to get caught out by irregularities on the road surface, and ends up feeling a bit stiff. On the other hand, the Jetta’s suspension feels better damped, markedly more absorbent, and also goes about its business in a quieter manner. This apart, the two cars really
also differ slightly on steering feel in town. The Jetta has the heavier steering, while the Octavia ◊ ∆ has the lighter, more easy to twirl unit.

Driving the cars back to back in the city also brings about subtle differences in how they produce power. The Octavia feels, well, zestier than the Jetta which, we noticed, responds comparatively slower to throttle inputs. Mind you, it’s not something worthy of being called an issue, really. What is, and common to both cars, is the constant low-rev drone from their engines that’s almost become an audio signature of this TDI engine. At higher speeds, the differences between the two versions of the engine almost fade entirely. Both provide good punch in the mid-range and both will rev rather happily to 5,000rpm. In fact, the cars drive so similarly, the performance numbers seem merely academic. Still, it is the lighter and faster responding Octavia that’s marginally quicker to 100kph, and also through the gears. The Jetta does give you paddle shifters to take the reins from the computers. Just wish it was more responsive to tugs at the paddles.

Out on faster sections, you’ll find both cars to make for brilliant high-speed tools — both on the straights and on the bends. While the Jetta, in general, feels more poised, the Octavia does lose its low-speed harshness as speeds build. So, both cars drive very similarly and offer fantastic grip and stability. It’s only on a series of corners that the Octavia feels a bit sharper, which is mostly down to its quicker steering and a nose that doesn’t feel as heavy as the Jetta’s.

As you can tell, it’s all down to the finer points. Even in terms of price, there’s little that separates them. The revised Jetta 2.0 TDI Highline DSG (the only version of the automatic) costs Rs 20.17 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), while the top-spec Octavia 2.0 Elegance AT costs Rs 20.21 lakh. While it’s easy and correct to say you’ll be equally content with either car here, it is the Jetta that gets our vote. While the Skoda may come across as more contemporary with its appearance and handling, the VW has the more mature ride and build – things executive car buyers are likely to give more weightage to. Another point to note is that today’s Jetta is not much down on equipment to the Octavia, which is something that had cost it big in the past. This, in effect, has changed the value equation in favour of the Jetta that now comes across as the more complete car. But only just.