A1 Golf - Great (Jetta w/ notch back, eh) A2 Golf - eh, decent, Jetta - Great.
When they came out it was- Controversial styling, raised rear deck lid, bigger, bulkier, took some getting used to, great platform for upgrades.
I ended up buying an A2 Jetta and loved it, later drove for a short time two other used ones, on was a GLI four banger. Really nicely done automobiles in the bracket.
A3 Golf eh, Jetta! Ugh. Bloated looking, needs intensive aftermarket help to come up, really best used as a parts donor. Rode badly, Rolled badly, just bad. (Sorry A3 owners, get help.)
A4 Golf - Great Again, Jetta even Better. Return to new style being Controversial, takes some time to get used to, larger wheels and an aggressive (not slammed mind you) suspension works wonders. Still, lots of initial 'it's a Corolla! hysteria. And then there are the windows and the coil packs. Ahem. Twenty years from now an A4 Jetta will be nostalgic and classic.
A5 platform; This time around there are lots of changes, notably a 5 cylinder motor as base, and the elimination of the real axle in favor of multi link (right term?). It, styling wise, is both controversial and again poorly balanced as to ratios. Like the AIII chassis it seems puffy and largish. Not muscular and competent. It seems 'bling, bling'ed.
Esp in the new VW A5 platform is an unfortunately bad move at the junction between the front A pillar and the front fender, also the bulbous nose treatments. Things could be improved if the 'arrowhead' nature of the fender to pillar area had been revised. Also, extend the front end forward of the wheel well just a tad.
This last is a great opportunity for aftermarket tuners to come out with a revise grill, bumper package.
In any case, I wish them success, and applaud those things I find to admire in the technology.
TBerk