At a time when new energy vehicles are popular, how should models with traditional power continue to evolve in order to survive in the market? Jetta, a sub-brand of the Volkswagen Group, gives its answer with VS5 and VS7.
About half a year ago last autumn, the 2023 Jetta VS7 took us to enjoy the endless beauty from northwest Sichuan to the Loess Plateau. It is like a reliable companion, not only taking us to the ever-changing road conditions and environments of the journey, but also providing the right amount of comfort and convenience, which is still unforgettable.
Now, the partner and his little brother VS5 are back in front of us, only once again they have been upgraded: the two new models have a different design language, so that they are innovative and can better adapt to the preferences of different consumers.
Among them, the VS5, which is positioned as a compact SUV, uses a body design language called "three-dimensional carving", which is sharp and sharp everywhere, and it is sure to attract the attention of young people. Its grille blends with the air intakes underneath and is blackened to resemble samurai armor. It is also equipped with a new brand logo, which is complemented by slender lens LED headlights and daytime running lights, creating a very heroic and sharp image.
On the side of the body, the side skirts of the new VS5 have been changed to match the body color. At the rear, there is a sportier rear wing with a high-gloss black 'JETTA' tail badge, while the rear bumper has a larger black area that echoes the front end. In addition, this upgrade also adds a high-saturation "Shine Blue" paint, which looks very stylish.
Not only that, but the interior of the new VS5 also adds a blue and black color scheme, while the "Y" shaped quilted seats and door panel lines represent the youthful vitality of "Young", improving the texture of the entire interior. In terms of intelligence, the J-Connect Internet of Vehicles system has also been upgraded synchronously this time, adding functions such as video projection and on-board KTV, as well as upgrading modules such as navigation maps and voice assistants.
If the VS5 is aimed at the younger generation, the midsize SUV VS7 is aimed at mature people whose families and careers are gradually stabilizing. The VS7's design language is called "Unbounded Aesthetic", and unlike the VS5's flamboyant styling, its dot matrix grille area is slightly smaller and the front bumper is wider, giving a more stable overall visual effect. The VS7 also features body-coloured side skirts and a sporty rear wing, but its 'JETTA' tail badge retains the traditional chrome finishing. And its new "starry blue" color looks even more profound and mysterious.
Inside, the new VS7 adds an elegant brown and black colour scheme, suede microfiber upholstery in several places, and quilted seats – a noticeable improvement in the haptic feel of the interior compared to the previous facelift. Of course, its J-Connect connected system gets the same upgrade as the VS5.
While neither car has been tweaked in terms of chassis and power, we did a simple test drive of the VS7. As soon as you sit in the driver's seat, the familiar smell will come to your face. Volkswagen's classic driving layout, although it looks old-fashioned, makes all kinds of operations clear and convenient. The EA211 series' 1.4T engine runs smoothly and powerfully, and when paired with the smooth-shifting Aisin 6-speed automatic transmission, the VS7 is quite brisk to drive.
When driving in the city, the lightweight steering wheel makes it easy when cornering or parking. Its suspension adjustment is moderately soft and hard, ensuring comfort and a fairly clear road feel. In the last long-distance test drive, the VS7's excellent high-speed stability was still fresh in its memory, which fully reflects the strength of the MQB platform.
It is true that neither the new VS5 nor VS7 have gone further in core technology, but through the careful carving of the exterior and interior, as well as the upgrade of the car and other configurations, they can not only attract consumers who pursue peace of mind and steadfastness, but also gain the favor of more young and fashionable users.
The author of this article is Kick Car Gang Alai