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There was a time when the top-selling import in the U.S. was Volkswagen.

Of course, there was a time when Volkswagen, with its funny looking Beetle, was the only import in the U.S. because the folks from Japan hadn’t been heard from.

Though no longer No. 1, VW has remained in this market and expanded its lineup–just like the Japanese.

While Beetle is synonymous with Volkswagen, another VW model is celebrating its 25th anniversary in the U.S. in 2005, the compact Jetta.

Where has the time gone?

To mark the occasion, VW has unveiled Generation Five of the Jetta sedan, with the next generation of the Beetle, or as it’s now called the New Beetle, coming this fall. (Would that make it the Newest Beetle?) If you attended the Chicago Auto Show, you saw the concept that tips off its new look.

Jetta is celebrating its silver anniversary in the U.S. in stages by engine offerings.

First out was the base model in March with 2.5-liter, 150-horsepower 5-cylinder engine. The high-mileage 1.9-liter, 100-h.p. 4-cylinder turbodiesel is due out this month, and the performance 2-liter, 200-h.p. turbocharged 4-cylinder gas engine arrives in August.

Initially, Jetta was offered only with the optional and new 6-speed automatic with Tiptronic at a hefty $1,075 premium for clutchless manual shifting. Now, the standard 5-speed manual is arriving .

We tested the base model. Whichever model, all boast new sheet metal with a more pronounced coupe-like slope. In profile some will see hints of Japanese design influence while those who view it head-on to absorb the massive grille and lamps will say it borrows the look from Phaeton, the top-of-the-line VW. Jetta has more stylish headlamps, however.

VW says the lamps “give the impression of intensity, like the eyes of a bird of prey,” while the massive grille gives the impression of “strength and protection like a shield of armor.”

Don’t know about birds or armor, but as for the front end, can’t decide whether it’s a human, animal or cartoon mug. When you step back to ponder the massive grille and lamps, though, they appear to be pondering back at you.

The 2005 Jetta will share its platform with the 2006 Golf, which arrives in March in high-performance GTI version powered by a 2-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 6-speed manual followed by the regular model next June.

In addition to new sheet metal, Jetta gets new dimensions: a 2.6-inch stretch of the wheelbase, to 101.5 inches; a 7-inch increase in overall length, to 179.3 inches; and a 1-inch bump in width and little more than a half inch in height, to 69.3 inches and 57.5 inches, respectively.

Jetta, in its previous lives, was more than a tad narrow, short and confining. The added inches are a welcome relief. A lot more arm and shoulder room upfront, though those sentenced to the rear seat gain needed leg and even some head room. And the now massive trunk makes loading luggage less of a cross to bear.

As for the trunk, nice touches include hinges that have been moved out of the way for easier loading, a removable plastic storage divider along the side wall to keep items in place, tie-down hooks and a plastic, two-pronged, fold-down package hook in the roof of the trunk to hold whatever two-pronged, fold-down hooks are meant to carry.

The rear seat backs also fold for more cargo capacity. The rear seat comes with a fold-down center armrest with slip-out cupholders and behind it a pass-through to the trunk big enough for skis or snowboards. Perhaps armor, if not birds of prey, but VW didn’t say.

The stretch in wheelbase gives Jetta a better footprint on the road, though it has always enjoyed rather good stability.

The fully independent suspension helps smooth out rough edges on the road, though in typical German fashion don’t expect the 16-inch all-season radials to pass the tar marks without the steering wheel taking notice.

Engineers tinkered with the shocks, spring rates and stabilizer bars front and rear to reduce body roll in tight corners and improve stability.

Jetta boasts a new electro-mechanical power steering system designed for better response to wheel input.

Despite the complex dynamics, have to say you feel the weight in the wheel, understandable based on 340 pounds being added thanks in part to the larger dimensions and safety hardware.

The Jetta comes with four-wheel anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control and all-speed traction control that employs ABS and/or reduces throttle to prevent slipping or sliding as standard, along with side-impact air bags, side-curtain air bags and front seat-belt tensioners.

It also comes with what it calls “crash active” front head restraints that respond when occupants are pushed back in their seats in a collision. The restraints are moved forward to cushion the neck. And pedals automatically descend to minimize contact with driver legs in a collision.

The 2.5-liter 5-cylinder responds well to pedal input, though often it seemed like an instant of hesitation before it started to sprint. Of course, the 2-liter, 200-h.p. turbocharged 4-cylinder coming this August is meant more for performance and the base is meant to deliver high mileage–22 m.p.g. city/30 m.p.g. highway with automatic.

Jetta is solid and roadworthy. More room and comfort as well as better performance than previous models.

If Jetta is lacking in anything, it’s in what former colleague Tom Kleene used to refer to as surprise and delight features, items you could point to that others don’t offer or do offer but only in vehicles much larger in size as well as price.

When it comes to surprises or delights, Jetta’s hardly creative. Little in the way of sizzle or flash. Don’t expect owners to run over to their neighbors and boast: “Wanna see my two-pronged package hook?”

Jetta focuses on technology that can’t be seen but can be appreciated.

Jetta is offered in Value Edition starting at $17,900 or the base model we tested that starts at $20,390. The value model offers manual climate control, AM/FM stereo with in-dash CD player, cruise control, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, manual front seats and power windows and (heated) mirrors. The base 2.5 adds automatic climate control, heated front seats and washer nozzles, rain-sensing wipers, sound system upgrade with six-disc CD changer, compass and power driver’s seat.

Options come in two packages, one at $1,960 that includes power sunroof, vinyl seating surfaces, alloy wheels and premium sound system, the other at $4,660 with those items plus interior wood trim, power driver/passenger seats with memory, manual rear sunshade, satellite radio and a Homelink transmitter for the garage door.

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TEST DRIVE

2005 Volkswagen Jetta

Wheelbase: 101.5 inches

Length: 179.3 inches

Engine: 2.5-liter, 150-h.p. 5-cylinder

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Fuel economy: 22 m.p.g. city/30 m.p.g. highway

Base price: $20,390

Price as tested: $23,425. Includes $1,960 for package with power sunroof, 16-inch alloy wheels and premium sound system; and $1,075 for 6-speed automatic with Tiptronic for clutchless manual shifting. Add $615 for freight.

Pluses: Redesign for fifth generation. Jetta gets larger dimensions for improved cabin comfort as well as better roadability. A more potent 2.5-liter, 5-cylinder replaces the 2-liter, 115-h.p. 4-cylinder. The same engine will be in the redesigned Beetle this fall. Spacious trunk, decent rear seat room.

Minuses: Somewhat the Phaeton look in miniature. Front end appears to be looking back at you while coupe-like side profile hints of Japanese influence. Hefty price tag on 6-speed automatic.

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Read Jim Mateja Sunday in Transportation and Wednesday and Friday in Business. Hear him on WBBM Newsradio 780 at 6:22 p.m. Wednesdays and 11:22 a.m. Sundays.

jmateja@tribune.com