New Look—Same Euro Feel
Ed note: This car was tested last year but the review was never published. Changes with this year’s model is noted at the end.
The Volkswagen Jetta has been part of the American car mix for almost 40 years, but hit a new mark with the 2019 model. While still using an internal combustion engine, the Jetta has pumped up performance in all its dimensions—fuel economy, good ol’ horsepower and road-handling. On top of that, the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is also being offered at a competitive price with its Asian rivals.
I drove the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta 1.4T SEL model, which is positioned in the midpoint of VW’s five trim pages, which are: S, SE, SEL, SEL Premium and R-Line. Starting prices (these from 2020, where the Jetta is relatively unchanged—see note below) range from $18,895 for the S to $27,945 for the SEL Premium. Our tester with no options (but including the $850–$920 for 2020—destination charge) came in at $25,265. That’s a fair price in this segment. One fairly unique offering from VW is the manual transmission R-Line Jetta, standard to take advantage of the upgraded suspension in that handling-oriented model.
The Anchor Powertrain
While 2019 Volkswagen Jetta offers a variety of trim levels, the driving experience throughout the line is built on a powertrain that’s the same throughout. Jetta’s turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder engine is the epitome of the modern powerplant—small in dimension, but providing plenty of power, most important that off-the-line punch that comes from low-end torque. Its 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque (hitting at just 1,400 rpm) comes while running on regular gasoline, a real plus. While a six-speed manual transmission might provide a bit more fun and control, we have no complaints about VW’s new eight-speed automatic.
The bonus from this small powertrain comes in fuel economy—an EPA-rated 30 mpg city/40 highway and 34 combined, numbers that we found easy to replicate in our drives.
The Jetta, as with all VW’s, retains its focus on driving dynamics. With either a manual or automatic transmission, it’s easy to take advantage of the Jetta’s move to the flexible MQB chassis. The platform’s rigid construction underpins the strut-type coil-over front suspension and torsion beam rear set-up. Volkswagen has done a great job of pulling out weight while not surrendering any handling dynamics, an old trick from the racing playbook.
On the road, the electrically power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering delivered good road feel, adding to the sense of the Jetta as a driver’s car, chiseled from the classic German road car tradition.
Interior Upgrade
The move to the MQB platform offers more than just weight-saving and handling upgrades; it also delivers where you live. Headroom, knee room, shoulder room and truck space all increases from previous models. In spite of a coupe-like profile that offers a sleeker look compared to previous Jettas, interior space is enhanced and this sedan presents itself as almost a class bigger than it actually is.
What carries over in these more spacious digs is the hallmark of the Jetta—an upscale European-class environment. The materials project a feeling of quality, taking the perception of this competitively priced compact sedan into a notch-above class.
Standard features at the SEL trim level abound—leather-wrapped steering wheel; heated, six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat; heated, four-way manually adjustable passenger’s seat, V-tex leatherette seats and 10-color customizable ambient interior lighting.
The Jetta also carried a competitive suite of technology at the SEL level, including a digital cockpit, selectable driving modes, forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitor and rear traffic alert, lane-keeping, adaptive cruise control, an 8.0-inch touchscreen for media, Beats Audio sound system with subwoofer and the VW Car-net system.
Warranties/Safety
Volkswagen has a quite competitive set of warranties:
- New vehicle/powertrain – Four years/50,000 miles
- Corrosion perforation – Seven years/100,000 miles
- Roadside assistance – Three years/36,000 miles
Safety equipment on the 2019 Jetta includes a combination of passive and active systems. Six airbags cover most impact areas for driver and passengers while more sophisticated technology like the Intelligent Crash Response System (ICRS) activates when airbags are deployed, turning off the fuel pump, unlocking the doors and activating hazard lights. The Jetta also has an automatic post-collision braking system that makes sure your vehicle slows down after an impact. The Jetta also carries six stability-enhancing systems that you may never notice—electronic brake-pressure distribution that aids in hard-braking situations, electronic stability control and other technologies designed to compensate for road conditions and even driver error.
Bottom Line: 2019 Volkswagen Jetta SEL
Driving the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta SEL brought back all of the good memories of times in German sports sedans, but also recalled enough of those sparsely appointed vehicles to show where the auto industry has progressed in the past decade or two (not to mention the four decades since the Jetta showed up on U.S. soil). VW has delivered a compact sedan that has exemplary fuel economy in a package that has style, a size that feels big for this class and has all of the safety, comfort and technology features that have become the ticket of entry even in what used to be the entry-level point for the auto industry.
If you’re focused on an internal combustion engine sedan as your next vehicle (options are growing in hybrids, plug-in hybrids and EVs), the Jetta is a great place to start your shopping. It can hold its own against some of the electrified models, countering their higher fuel economy with a more sophisticated interior, a better driving experience and maybe the feeling of being in a bigger car.
The bottom line is the Jetta is a solid player in the shrinking small sedan market (since last year two major competitors have exited). We would argue it may be due even more attention because its competition has fallen away. A 40 mpg sedan that doesn’t make you feel like you’re in the proverbial econobox is a big accomplishment. While VW ramps up its electric portfolio, the Jetta is a worthy placeholder that keeps up the best image of the company.
Update: We drove the 2019 Jetta late last year and most of the Jettas on the lots now are 2020 models. We hope to get our hands on one of those for a more thorough update, but in the meantime here are VW’s list of updates from our tested model that you’ll find on the current model. The key components—the Jetta powertrain, suspension and dimensions, are all carryover.
- Next-generation Car-Net and available in-car Wi-Fi on all models
- Standard six-speed manual transmission on R-Line models
- Wireless phone charging on SEL models
- SEL trim wheels get bumped up to 17-inchers
We tested the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta R-Line here.
Related Stories You Might Enjoy—Competitive Compact Sedans
News: 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Introduced
Road Test: 2019 Hyundai Elantra Sport M/T
Road Test: 2019 Kia Forte
Road Test: 2018 Subaru Impreza
Road Test: 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid
Road Test: 2020 Honda Insight Hybrid
Road Test: 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid
Road Test: 2018 Hyundai Ioniq PHEV
Road Test: 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Electric
Road Test: 2017 Mazda3 five-Door
Road Test: 2016 Honda Civic
First Drive: 2016 Nissan Sentra
Disclosure:
Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.
1 thought on “Flash Drive: 2019 Volkswagen Jetta SEL”