Volkswagen and Audi interiors are often the benchmark for manufacturers because their designers accomplish more with less, combining expensive-looking materials with simple, attractive styling and excellent ergonomics. The result tends to be inviting cabins that are pleasant places to spend time. And this holds true in the Jetta.

The optional leather upholstery in a 2.5 we drove was well fitted and stitched around seat contours that provide a high degree of support. The Tamo ash wood trim is indeed trim, and not the great expanses of fake lumber sometimes used in a vain attempt to class up an interior.

The GLI interior is a bit dressier than the standard cabin thanks to touches of bright trim and a handsome, three-spoke leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel. The sport seat fabric is a plaid-like material that harkens back to previous interior designs from VW, and it may not be to everyone's taste. The durable-feeling leather is really the way to go for a full upmarket experience.

The base seats are easy to adjust with manual controls, and the adjustable steering column and height-adjustable safety belt help drivers of all sizes get comfortable. The upgrade seats have power adjustment, including power lumbar support, with three memory buttons (which also adjusts the outside mirrors) and a key fob that can be programmed for each position.

The thick-rimmed three-spoke steering wheel frames a gauge cluster dominated by separate, large dials for the tachometer and speedometer, well shaded from ambient light by a curved cowl. In daylight the graphics read white on black, at night changing to white on soothing swimming-pool blue with lighted red pointers. In either case, the data are easy to comprehend at a glance. Within the tachometer and speedometer are warning lights and advisories about secondary functions, including one thoughtful warning that the fuel filler door was left opened after refueling. Optional steering wheel buttons can be used to operate a phone, mute the radio, or toggle between the various modes of the sound system.

A large electronic message pad sits dead center, just over the water temperature and fuel gauges. In addition to more warning and diagnostic symbols, its display includes trip computer read-outs. The red graphics on the pad are quite readable in the daylight but glow too brightly at night, even at the pad's dimmest setting.

The trip computer's data are accessed by one of three levers mounted on the steering column (or with the available multi-function steering wheel buttons). Jutting to the right, this lever operates the wiper/washer system. To the left are the levers for the turn signals/headlamp flashers and cruise control. Though easy to use, the levers feel flimsy and are one of the few interior elements that have a cheap, plasticky look. The headlight switch sits on the dash to the left of the steering wheel.

Stereo buttons, which surround the display screen, are in full view, a setup we prefer over hidden controls. Unfortunately, the display's graphics are not easily discernible in daylight. At night, though, the display reverts to the trademark VW blue backlighting and is easily read.

All Jettas come standard with Climatic, which automatically maintains a chosen temperature throughout the cabin. It features a rotary dial on the left for temperature, one in the middle for fan speed, and a third on the right for directing the air in the cabin. Upgrading to Climatronic provides separate temperature adjustments for the left and right side of the cockpit.

The switch for the outside mirrors and the power window switches are on the driver's door armrest, within easy reach and sight. The windows feature anti-pinch protection and one-touch up or down. As a further convenience, they can also be opened or closed, along with the sunroof, with the master key in the driver's door lock.

The center console extends between the front seats and includes a covered storage bin, two cupholders, a power outlet and climate system vents for the rear passengers. A small ceiling console, just aft of the rearview mirror, holds a pair of reading lights, the sunroof's rotary switch, interior light switches, a sunglasses bin and ambient lighting elements that softly illuminate the dash area at night. Other nice touches include sun visors that slide on rods to extend their reach over most of the side window, and well-lighted vanity mirrors.

The rear of the cabin is significantly more spacious than before, with seats nicely contoured and raked for comfort. A six-foot-tall driver still leaves room behind for a similarly sized passenger, and there's enough headroom to accommodate someone much taller. Still, there's no way an adult will fit comfortably in the center rear seat if there are adults to each side.

A 60/40 split folding rear seat is standard across the line.

The trunk seems larger than is possible in a compact sedan (at 16 cubic feet). When the trunk lid is opened, it rises to a completely vertical position, out of the way of any loading or unloading. Completely carpeted, the trunk also has a storage cubby wall, and four tie hooks.