Sometimes, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Despite its new underpinnings, the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta doesn鈥檛 visually stray too far from the design cues laid down by its predecessor. Another same, but different aspect of the 2019 Jetta has to do with its drivetrain. Yes, that鈥檚 singular, because Volkswagen has elected to make a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder the only engine available in non-performance models (with a larger-displacement Jetta GLI to drop later this year). The decision to eliminate the 1.8-liter turbo as an option with the compact isn鈥檛 difficult to understand. The good news for 2019 buyers is that the 1.4-liter turbo has seen its own efficiency boosted to the 40-mpg mark on the highway (5.9 L/100 km), regardless of whether its six-speed manual or new eight-speed automatic gearbox is ordered. That three-pedal setup is restricted to entry-level Jetta models in the U.S., but in Canada, it can be installed across the board.
While on paper the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta鈥檚 147 horsepower don鈥檛 exactly leap off of the page, in actual practice, the engine鈥檚 torque-friendly delivery makes for a competent drive in almost every situation. In particular, I was impressed by how readily the Jetta鈥檚 automatic transmission selected the right gear for highway passing, executing leap-frog maneuvers with little drama. On the secondary roads surrounding Durham, North Carolina, the Jetta鈥檚 chassis proved to be a comfortable if conservative companion, in many ways similar to the personality of the outgoing model. It鈥檚 also a quiet ride, at least until you get up past legal speed limits, upon which the wind begins to intrude into through the door seals. Despite its bulk, as compared to several of its smaller compact sedan rivals, the Jetta never felt ponderous or plus-sized even on narrow asphalt. I also appreciated that Volkswagen has drawn the line at 17-inch rims being the upper limit on the car, helping balance driving dynamics with bump-absorbing sidewall in a segment when 18-inch wheels have become the norm. Much like its exterior, the new Jetta鈥檚 passenger compartment hasn鈥檛 undergone a sweeping rethink in terms of look and feel. Most other features inside the 2019 Jetta are par for the course, with Volkswagen shuffling gear around to reduce pricing almost across the board. 30k CAD with similar features). 22k SE is a decent choice for thrifty shoppers. Despite being offered essentially a clean slate with the move to MQB, Volkswagen was smart not to mess too much with what has historically been a key contributor to its bottom line in the U.S. Canada. The brand鈥檚 engineering smarts have instead been directed at bolstering, rather than diverting, the Jetta鈥檚 mission statement. The 2019 model manages to stay relevant in terms of tech both inside the car and under the skin, adds a respectable fuel mileage bump, and continues to deliver on its promise of being a spacious, relaxed daily driver.
Like some celebrity鈥檚 other brother, the GLI never quite got the recognition or respect earned by its hot hatch GTI sibling. But both vehicles are now based on VW鈥檚 modern multi-purpose MQB platform, sharing similar underpinnings, updated powerplants, new performance technologies and other pieces from the parts shelf. Those new numbers were earned on premium octane but this EA888 TSI engine will also run on regular and, even with the GLI鈥檚 added 140 kg of upscale extras, the numbers still work out to a noticeably improved power-to-weight ratio. The extra oomph won鈥檛 exactly put you in a whiplash collar. 1,400), replacing the previous-gen six-speed DSG. Kudos to Vee-Dub for keeping the six-speed manual. The GLI does not feel too big and awkward for snicking through the cogs. In fact, this smooth-shifting gearbox felt best for rev-matching and making the most out of the engine power. The seven-speed DSG automatic seemed to default to low revs for fuel economy.
With the DSG, the GLI requires a firm hand, or, errr, firm foot on the throttle to make the most of its performance potential. Even Sport mode felt more amiable than frenetic, bumping the rpm baseline less than expected. Whatever your preferred pace, the power is put to the pavement via standard front-wheel-drive. So far, we can only wish for the added performance edge of all-wheel-drive but we鈥檒l keep our fingers crossed anyway. The GLI complements the engine鈥檚 extra pop with a slew of added performance features. The black honeycomb grille up front wears the same red accent strip as the GTI, a look complemented by red brake calipers peeking through biggish 18-inch wheels. And the GLI is further bejeweled with standard LED headlights, DRLS and tail lamps. 3,300 less than the previous gen version. A special 35th anniversary edition model, limited to 1,000 units for Canada, ups the optics with a black roof, black mirror caps and spoiler, along with special dark grey 18-inch wheels with a red stripe circling the outer rim. Special 35th edition badging marks interior trim, floor mats, seat tags, lighted sill plates and 鈥渇litzers鈥?(fender badges). The 2019 Jetta GLI comes across with the kind of smooth performance that would be more readily personified in a tuxedo than a tank top. It鈥檚 smooth, strong and secure even in the twisty bits. 750 more, perfectly complementing the 2019 Jetta GLI鈥檚 poised and polished performance.
