Basically..
Whereas..On the road, the degraded Jetta still handles and rides better than Corolla and Civic. Its European-style suspension tuning leads to good body control and damping. Ride is generally smooth and quiet. However, on poor surfaces the torsion-beam suspension does generate more shocks and noise than the outgoing Jetta (or Golf). The cheap hydraulic power steering delivers little feel on the straight ahead. Furthermore, the electronic stability control is intrusive, and it can't be switched off. Overall, the new Jetta does not deliver the same driving fun as the old car, neither can it match Golf and Mazda 3.
[Source]While the American Jetta is made cheap, the European Jetta retains most of the usual classy features to meet the expectation of European customers. All European Jettas get multi-link rear suspensions and electro-mechanical power steering like Golf. Their interior is also made of soft-touch plastics and better trimmings. Engines are the usual small TSI and TDI engines, including 105hp 1.2TSI, 122hp and 160hp 1.4TSI, 200hp 2.0TSI, 105hp 1.6TDI, 140hp and 170hp 2.0TDI. They should be considerably better and cleaner to drive than its American sibling, although no better to look. Production still takes place at the Mexican plant together with the American Jetta.
They made the US Jetta cheap so they can sell more, yet kept the Euro Jetta nice so they can sell more. Ought to go a long way in confusing people when they read reviews for the other market's Jetta and think it applies to the one they'll be offered.