Witness the Return of the Jetta. The brand new 2019 mannequin looks like a return to type for the sedan after a technology of delicate neglect.
Volkswagen’s compact sedan is now larger; not noticeably so, however with simply sufficient additional room for individuals and cargo. Nonetheless, the brand new Jetta feels extra like a transfer upscale, slightly than only a transfer up in scale. The outside design, cabin supplies and tech at the moment are on par with VW’s finest.
The place the last-generation Jetta felt like an afterthought in Volkswagen’s North American lineup — slumming it on an outdated platform with outdated tech — this new mannequin looks like a fully-fledged, well-rounded member of the household.
New platform, who dis?
The most important efficiency information right here is that the Jetta is lastly on the MQB platform that underpins most of Volkswagen’s new fashions, from the Golf to the Tiguan, and even the bigger Atlas SUV.
The elevated cabin area is not actually noticeable up entrance, however an additional 1.three inches of rear legroom is a pleasant addition. The trunk gives 14.1 cubic ft of area, which is not as capacious because the outgoing Jetta’s 15.7, however mixed with rear seats that fold flat, means there is a ton of room, to not point out a pleasant, broad opening that makes it simple to load cumbersome objects. Simply beware the weak hinge springs — the trunk will not keep open until it is pushed all the way in which up. On quite a lot of events, the trunk lid got here down and hit me on the top whereas extracting cargo.
Sedate sedan
Not each driver needs one thing “sport-tuned.” The Jetta goals for consolation, and it delivers. The Jetta’s clean journey makes longer hauls a soothing expertise. It is agile sufficient, with the identical responsive steering I’ve loved in different MQB-based autos, however total fairly chill.
The Jetta’s 1.Four-liter engine makes 147 horsepower, however is environment friendly sufficient to return as much as 40 mpg freeway.
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Below the hood you will discover VW’s 1.Four-liter turbocharged I4 engine, an up to date model of the 1.Four utilized in final yr’s Jetta. Energy is, surprisingly, all the way down to 147 horsepower (in comparison with 150 within the 2018 Jetta) whereas torque is unchanged at 184 pound-feet. I admire torque greater than ponies for commuter automobiles like this, and the Jetta nonetheless boasts a wholesome variety of pound-feet for a automobile of this dimension and weight — particularly because the new Jetta is 66 kilos lighter for 2019.
Nonetheless, the low-displacement 1.4T relies upon closely on the eight-speed automated transmission to translate that torque into real-world efficiency. There’s a six-speed guide out there, however the overwhelming majority of Jetta consumers will find yourself with that automated and, with programming skewed towards effectivity, it is best to most likely mood your efficiency expectations. In its Consolation or Eco settings, the Jetta accelerates easily and quietly sufficient — and will ship EPA-estimated gasoline economic system rankings of 30 mpg metropolis, 40 mpg freeway and 34 mpg mixed — however passing and merging in these modes can really feel a bit sedate.
Sport mode retains the engine’s revs barely elevated for a extra responsive throttle and higher acceleration. This setting feels nice round city and fairly darn good on a quick nation street with clean, sweeping bends. However, even within the Sport setting, each the suspension and the powertrain really feel ill-suited for actually “sporty” driving on my favourite mountain roads. A mix of robust understeer when pushed exhausting by tighter bends and tall, economy-focused gear ratios leaving me wanting for torque when exiting a nook.
Digital Cockpit is not fairly as responsive as Audi’s Digital Cockpit, nevertheless it’s nonetheless higher than anything at this worth level.
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Smarter tech for 2019
The 2019 Jetta’s cabin considerably shakes up the basic (learn: uninteresting) VW inside design with fashionable, angular particulars and a heavy deal with tech. Look intently and you’ll see the place Volkswagen tried to chop value — the rubbery dashboard materials and a few panel plastics, for instance — however actually, you get what you pay for. The Jetta feels completely fantastic contemplating its sub-$20,000 beginning worth, particularly when you think about all of the know-how onboard.
Switching to the MQB platform means the Jetta can entry all of Volkswagen’s newest driver assist applied sciences. On the prime SEL and SEL Premium trim ranges, that features ahead collision warning with automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping steering help, automated excessive beams and adaptive cruise management that works in stop-and-go site visitors. The Jetta additionally options Volkswagen’s post-crash braking system that retains the automobile from rolling into extra hazard after an accident.
I just like the refined, mild help of the lane-keeping help system. The stop-and-go adaptive cruise management, in the meantime, is a bit too jerky for my liking in heavy site visitors, however works effectively at increased speeds on the freeway.
The spotlight of the Jetta’s cabin is the suite of dashboard tech. VW’s App-Join infotainment system comes normal, which signifies that even the least-expensive base mannequin is suitable with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink, which permits drivers to deliver their very own smartphone maps and audio streaming apps to the dashboard.
My SEL Premium mannequin makes use of an upgraded Eight-inch Uncover Media touchscreen navigation system, Volkswagen’s superior Digital Cockpit, 10-color ambient cabin lighting, a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated seats, and a Beats Audio system.
Onboard navigation is fairly good, particularly contemplating its integration with the 10-inch Digital Cockpit LCD instrument cluster. Very similar to Audi’s Digital Cockpit, this second display screen in entrance of the motive force permits customers to view and management lots of the out there infotainment options — from navigation to hands-free calling to media choice — with out taking a hand off the wheel or a watch very far off the street.
The inside might have some low cost bits, however its tech is by far the very best in its class.
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Digital Cockpit is not as highly effective as Audi’s system — you may’t show maps on each the dashboard and the instrument cluster on the identical time, for instance, and the display screen transitions between modes are a hair slower — however the performance remains to be superb. Significantly better than most digital instrument clusters you’d discover at this worth level, anyway.
In the meantime, drivers even have entry to Volkswagen’s Automobile-Internet suite of related telematics options, together with subscription-based distant car monitoring capabilities like door locking or unlocking by way of smartphone app and extra. You possibly can even get a smartphone notification when you’ve left your home windows or sunroof open and the forecast requires rain.
Tech, because it seems, is the brand new Jetta’s strongest level. That is a great factor.
Cozy, techy and never too costly. The 2019 Jetta is a very well-rounded sedan.
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How I might spec it
The 2019 VW Jetta S begins at $19,395 (together with an $850 vacation spot cost), which will get you out the door with Volkswagen’s App-Join tech and a reasonably fundamental suite of facilities. For consumers on a finances, it is a fairly whole lot.
Nonetheless, I might suggest trying on the loaded SEL Premium mannequin that I examined. At $27,795, you get all the out there security tech, nicer cabin supplies, the bigger infotainment system and that superior Digital Cockpit. It could be the costliest mannequin, however nonetheless looks like a cut price contemplating simply how a lot stuff you get.
A stable alternative, as soon as once more
The Jetta faces robust competitors towards all kinds of automobiles. On one hand, it is a wonderful different to compact sedans just like the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra or Kia Forte. However in its most-loaded spec, might be thought of a less-expensive different to bigger, four-cylinder-powered automobiles just like the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata or Toyota Camry.
Both method, the 2019 Jetta is certainly value your consideration. Its snug, environment friendly dynamics and fashionable suite of tech make it a very stable alternative.