One of the unique aspects of aging: I can’t remember last week, but I distinctly remember 1980; or, to be more specific, the launch of Volkswagen’s Jetta in 1980. While the addition of a trunk to VW’s groundbreaking Golf was simple enough, it was -- at least for the American market -- an absolutely inspired idea. Suddenly, in a market decidedly adverse to the notion of a fifth door (what the hell is a hatch?), Volkswagen supplied one frickin’ big trunk, all the better to accommodate the stuff we -- as Americans -- are inclined to take with us. It didn’t take long for the Jetta to assume VW’s “best selling” mantle, one it continues to hold in calendar year 2005.

First impressions of the 2005 Jetta, garnered at the Detroit and Chicago shows, left me wanting some curbside perspective. The new sheet metal is not, by any stretch, unattractive, but neither do you detect any intent to make this the Son of Jetta. It is an altogether different tack, with a stretched platform covered by what appears to be an Asian-influenced skin. And while we’re not alone in suggesting some Japanese influences -- a bit of Acura in the front, a bit of Corolla in profile -- more thorough examination reveals more than a little Passat and Phaeton. It isn’t, thankfully, the bastard son of an ´84 Accord.

That stretched envelope is notable everywhere, but probably most appreciated in the rear seat, where more legroom, hip room and headroom give passengers an opportunity to actually stretch out. Its predecessor was adequate for the lunch foursome, but most Jettas previous to this one have better served you and the one ya brung. This one’ll serve anybody, and virtually any body.

A more rigid structure contributes to improved handling, whereby the suspension can be better tuned if it doesn’t need to accommodate a chassis with a case of the wobblies. This is the Jetta’s first all-independent suspension, with a multi-link rear complementing the obligatory MacPherson struts up front. In fairly tight twisties, the Jetta’s standard underpinnings performed flawlessly, with a composed ride complemented by a very flat cornering capability. No, we won’t confuse it with the Lotus Elise, but then, the Elise will carry little more than you, a small friend and an extra pair of socks.

With all of the goodness delivered by the platform, what of the power train? In typical VW fashion, it’s unique. No, not rear-engined, air-cooled unique, but different, nevertheless. An inline five of 2.5 liters delivers just under 150 horsepower to either a six-speed auto or five-speed manual. The response from the torque-abundant five is crisp, and, when used with VW’s Tiptronic function, borders on the recreational.

Available in well-equipped base form for something around $18,000, the Jetta hits a home run in the content/value sweepstakes. Various options can drive it into the mid-$20s, which might have you looking at the Passat, but the Jetta enjoys its own identity, something we can’t say for recent Saabs. Take a look, and then take a drive. And if the inline five doesn’t wet your whistle, a TDI is in showrooms, and a GLI (turbo four) is coming this fall.