Road Test: 2020 Volkswagen Jetta 1.4T R-Line

Fun and Frugal German Engineering

The 2020 Volkswagen Jetta 1.4T R-Line was designed to bring a smile to those who love to drive. Turn away now if a responsive, tightly connected-to-the-road experience is not what you are dreaming of, especially if it comes with excellent fuel economy.

The 1.4-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine might seem small, but it is mighty. With the peak 147 horsepower hitting at 5,000 rpm, just sit back and let the slick-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission do its thing (there is the option to go through the gears manually with the Tiptronic feature). New for 2020, a six-speed manual is standard on the R-Line. A maximum 184 pounds-feet of torque is reached at a low 1,400 rpm with a 6,000 rpm redline. Zero-to-60 times were a respectable 7.5 seconds and 5.2 seconds from 50-to-70 mph.

Fuel economy estimates by the EPA are 30 city/40 highway/34 combined. In 361 miles of driving throughout Southern California we averaged 36.1 mpg. But in two 100-mile highway runs with the cruise control set at 65 mph and in Eco drive mode, we averaged an impressive 42 mpg. This type of fuel economy makes those long road trips even more enjoyable.

Fuel economy numbers reported by Clean Fleet Report are non-scientific and represent the reviewer’s driving experience. Your numbers may differ.

Driving Experience: On the Road

The 2,970-pound 2020 Jetta R-Line delivers a surefooted driving experience, in part from XDS electronic torque-vectoring, which automatically, when cornering, keeps the inside front wheel from losing traction. Clean Fleet Report’s Jetta R-Line had 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and 205/60 Hankook Kinergy GT all-season tires, which delivered poised handling. We would have liked the speed-variable, electric-mechanical power assist steering to not be so light as at times the steering felt numb. The strut-type front suspension with coil springs, and the torsion beam, coil springs and anti-roll bar on the rear gave a smooth and stable ride. There was good lateral stability in the chassis, making for solid and confident highway cruising and no wind buffeting from passing trucks.

Stops were straight and true with the Jetta’s standard four-wheel anti-lock braking system, power-assisted front vented and rear solid discs, electronic brake pressure distribution and electronic stability control.

To summarize the handling of the Jetta R-Line, it is a notch below sport sedans, but it is very close. Considering that Volkswagen doesn’t market the R-Line as a sports sedan, and offers the more performance-oriented Jetta GLI, let’s just say the R-Line will satisfy on long road trips, commuting, or finding some twisties to attack.

Driving Experience: Interior

The R-Line is the midlevel trim line for the Jetta, sandwiched between the S/SE and the SEL/SEL Premium. Volkswagen’s tried-and-true V-Tex leatherette seats were comfortable, with the driver and passenger getting heat and manual adjustments. The driver-focused dash gauges with a black background and white lettering were easy to read, as was the driver information center located between the speedometer and tach. The shifter for the eight-speed automatic was situated perfectly in the center console, especially if you wanted to go through the gears manually with the Tiptronic.

Our black-and-gray interior offered plenty of head and legroom up front, even for 6’+ drivers and passengers. Rear space (with the outer seats heated) easily accommodated two adults, three for short trips. Trunk space is ample, but with the 60/40 split rear seats laid flat, the Jetta is perfect for two on a long weekend road trip.

Taking center stage of the dash is the 6.5-inch color touchscreen that handles the rear view camera and the four-speaker sound system. While modern touchscreen technology is nice, Clean Fleet Report is a big fan of knobs and switches for the radio and climate controls. VW does a nice job of making it easy to operate the radio and dual zone automatic HVAC system with the turn of a few knobs. The simple dash design adds to convenience features such as a tilt and telescoping steering column, leather-covered multi-function steering wheel (with a squared-off bottom) and a leather-trimmed shifter.

The audio system delivers deep, full, crisp tones for the AM/FM radio and CD player, with MP3 playback and app connection interfaces. Also part of the MIB II infotainment system is Bluetooth for telephone and streaming music.

Other conveniences are power windows, keyless access, push button start/stop, adaptive cruise control, power adjustable and manual folding heated side mirrors, power tilt and sliding sunroof, SD card slot, USB ports, and a multi-function car analytics and trip computer display. New for 2020, all Jetta models are equipped with Volkswagen’s CarNet connected car technology that provides a seamless link between the car and an iPhone, Android smartphone or computer or, as Volkswagen says, it “keeps you connected with your car even when you’re apart.”

Driving Experience: Exterior

The clean interior design continues to the exterior, where Volkswagen has not gone the route of adding unnecessary scoops and vents. Also, a big pat on the back for staying away from the big mouth bass front grille that is all the rage these days. The Jetta at times has been described as plain, but Clean Fleet Report’s car, painted in a very attractive Tornado Red, was anything like that at all.

The 2020 Jetta is refreshing in its clean, simple and timeless design, with gently rounded and soft lines. With an eye to fuel economy and aerodynamics, the 0.27 coefficient of drag (C_d) helped it slice through the wind.

The 2020 Volkswagen Jetta R-Line has a R-Line specific grille and badging, sleek LED head and daytime running lights, and a gently sloped hood. The strong but subtle body line (the line that runs the side of the car from front to back) leads to the horizontal LED tail lamps. Other features are the smallest-of-small antennas on the roof, an integrated spoiler on the trunk and chrome-tipped exhaust pipes peaking out from under the rear fascia.

Driver Assistance and Safety

All 2020 Volkswagen Jettas come with six airbags, electronic stability control, blind spot monitor, a tire pressure monitoring system, electric parking brake, and the Intelligent Crash Response System that turns off the fuel pump, unlocks the doors and switches on the hazard lights in case of an accident. In the case of an accident, the brakes are automatically applied by the automatic post-collision braking system so the car does not continue moving, preventing a secondary accident.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has awarded the 2020 Jetta its highest 5 Star rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the 2019 Jetta as Good overall.

Pricing and Warranties

The 2020 Jetta comes in five trim levels, ranging in base price of $18,895 to $27,945. Clean Fleet Report’s Jetta R-Line came in at $24,140. All prices do not include the $920 destination charge.

The Jetta comes with these warranties:

• New Vehicle – Four years/50,000 miles
• Roadside Assistance – Three years/36,000 miles
• Free Service – Two years/20,000 miles
• Corrosion Perforation – Seven years/100,000 miles

Observations: 2020 Volkswagen Jetta R-Line

Volkswagen equipped the 2020 Jetta R-Line with the necessary equipment to make both an excellent highway cruiser and a competent mountain curve hunter. For right-around $24,000, the R-Line sacrifices little in features that most owners can get along without. Sure, such things as leather, power seats, larger tires, the excellent Beats sound system with satellite radio would have been nice, but these all can be had on the SE, SEL and SEL Premium trim lines, if they are important and the budget allows. The R-Line has found a nice balance between price and features.

The beauty of the R-Line is how it is set-up. The blacked-out grille and exterior mirror caps add a touch of sportiness, when combined with one of the vivid color options. The Jetta R-Line is as fun to drive as it looks. It is peppy, sips fuel, hauls most of your stuff with the rear seat folded flat, has excellent visibility for the driver and looks cool in the process. Oh, and don’t forget the vaunted German fit-and-finish with a tight overall feeling, whether road trip cruising or cornering. The Jetta R-Line is easy and a kick to drive.

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Whatever you end up buying, Happy Driving!

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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.