The Jetta stays crucial to Volkswagen. Sure, the corporate could credit score a lot of its newfound successes to the enlargement of its SUV choices, however its mass-market sedan continues to be one of the crucial fashionable methods for individuals to affix the VW household. As the third best-selling car in VW’s lineup, the automaker handed down some very gentle modifications as a part of a midcycle refresh, and the result’s a sedan that is nonetheless fairly good, whether or not you need it sporty or not.What’s new for each automobiles?Aesthetic updates for the 2022 Jetta are fairly restricted, be it the mass-market trims (S, SE, SEL, Sport) or the peppy GLI. There are some revised bumpers, in addition to new alloy wheels for every particular person trim stage, however on the entire the sedan seems nearly the identical because it did earlier than.The inside is just about the identical, too, barring some new distinction stitching on the SEL and GLI, a brand new steering wheel and a digital instrument cluster that is now customary on each trim. The GLI’s steering wheel will get the identical touch-sensitive buttons as different new VWs just like the ID 4, however I could desire the inexpensive variant, which makes use of conventional buttons that I believe are a bit simpler to decide to muscle reminiscence.
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One factor that did not change for 2022 is the Jetta’s trunk, which is greater than sufficiently capacious. VolkswagenTalking of tech, the Jetta S, Sport and SE fashions get VW’s older MIB 2 infotainment system, whereas SEL and GLI variants transfer as much as the newer, flashier MIB 3. All trims get Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and two USB-C ports beneath the local weather controls, however solely the MIB 3 fashions get entry to wi-fi smartphone mirroring and wi-fi system charging.People who actually need to have some enjoyable of their Jetta will seemingly go for the GLI, however there may be additionally a brand new Sport trim that provides a extra aggressive look with out going complete hog on efficiency, focusing primarily on black trim, new seats and sharper wheels. That stated, brake-based torque vectoring does get thrown into the combination on the Jetta Sport for a bit further backroad functionality.On the protection entrance, VW now bundles its energetic and passive security techniques into the IQ Drive suite, which incorporates computerized emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, stop-and-go adaptive cruise management, lane-keeping help and automatic freeway lane-holding. This is non-compulsory on S and Sport trims with an computerized transmission, whereas it is customary on all different variants, though the guide GLI loses some performance.Jetta 1.5T: Chill as can beBefore the midcycle refresh, the Jetta discovered energy from a 1.4-liter EA211 turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine. Now, it shares a revised 1.5-liter EA211 with the subcompact Taos SUV. This new four-pot produces 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, the identical as within the Taos, and it may be hooked up to both a six-speed guide or an eight-speed computerized transmission.Torque arrives very low within the rev vary, making around-town driving surprisingly enjoyable, and the eight-speed computerized is content material to shift at factors that retains the car within the Twist Zone as a lot as doable. This melds very properly with steering that is on the lighter aspect and pedals which are simple to modulate, making the Jetta fairly the snug suburban crawler. The new EA211 is fairly environment friendly within the 2022 Jetta, as properly, with fashions receiving EPA estimates between 29 and 31 mpg within the metropolis and between 40 and 43 mpg on the freeway, relying on trim and transmission.Otherwise, the Jetta stays the identical as the latest mannequin we examined. The again seat is spacious, the trunk is large and, whereas it is not the most recent system on the block, MIB does its job commendably, offering fewer factors of frustration than the infotainment system on the brand new Golf.Jetta GLI: Day-old bread that also tastes niceOn paper, the 2022 VW Jetta GLI appears like type of a uncooked deal. It’s a sport sedan primarily based on the outgoing GTI that instructions an MSRP fairly darn near the model spankin’ new GTI. That may not sound like the correct of discount, however after a while behind the wheel alongside the brand new GTI and Golf R, I believe there’s nonetheless loads of room for this sprightly sedan in VW’s lineup.While the Golf GTI and Golf R have moved onto a brand new turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the 2022 GLI troopers on with the outgoing GTI’s EA288, which produces 228 hp and 258 lb-ft, mated to the customer’s alternative of a six-speed guide or a seven-speed dual-clutch computerized.The present GLI and outgoing GTI felt fairly darn related, partially as a result of they used the identical inline-4, however there’s now a barely bigger gulf between the 2 following the eighth-gen GTI’s introduction. After tackling just a few mountain passes in each automobiles, I discover the fashionable GTI feeling a bit extra toned-down and grownup, prefer it’s following within the Golf R’s business-suit footsteps. The GLI, by comparability, feels a bit extra tough and tumble, prefer it’s capable of let free and have a bit extra enjoyable, thanks partially to extra movement within the physique.
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Having enjoyable within the Jetta GLI is just not a tough factor to do. VolkswagenA few of that comes all the way down to packaging. The GLI’s customary adaptive dampers are solely accessible on the very best GTI trim, which takes away everyone’s favourite plaid seats and requires 1000’s extra on the worth tag. It’s an amazing setup that provides the correct amount of firmness, permitting me to get pleasure from a stiff trip on curvy roads in Sport mode earlier than throwing it again to Comfort mode for a cushier freeway drive house.The GLI’s brakes have a bit extra preliminary chunk than the GTI’s stoppers, as they’re sourced from the seventh-gen Golf R. My tester’s six-speed guide feels nice, too, with a predictable clutch chunk level and a shifter that, whereas a bit lengthy within the throw, has simply sufficient notchiness to its motion. The steering corporations or softens relying on the mode, however each really feel good when driving at any pace, so it is extra about private choice. If the GLI is left in Sport mode, the exhaust observe’s artificial portion can settle into an annoying drone at regular speeds however altering car modes does away with that.
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The GLI’s controls could be on the older aspect, however they’re lifeless easy to make use of and require minimal distraction. VolkswagenAll the way down to brass tacksThe 2022 VW Jetta begins at $21,190 (together with $995 for vacation spot) for a base Jetta S with a guide transmission, whereas the Jetta Sport rises barely to $22,090; computerized variants add one other $800 on high of that. The Jetta SE and SEL are solely accessible with an computerized, they usually’ll run you $24,790 and $28,790, respectively. The GLI is simply supplied in a single trim, Autobahn, with guide automobiles going for $31,990 and automatics for $32,790.There’s a great cause VW did not have to do a lot with the 2022 Jetta. The performance-oriented GLI has additionally discovered new footing regardless of not altering, due to its sibling rising up a bit. Whether you are on the lookout for sport or not, the automaker’s compact sedan has all the time been a stable worth play, providing up loads of room for each individuals and cargo whereas additionally offering a great trip, oodles of gasoline financial system and tech that does not frustrate. Editors’ observe: Travel prices associated to this story have been lined by the producer, which is frequent within the auto business. The judgments and opinions of Roadshow’s employees are our personal and we don’t settle for paid editorial content material.