The new Volkswagen Jetta, coming in 2019, is the answer to those people who aspire to own a car in the vein of the Golf hatchback but don鈥檛 mind a slightly lower tier. Perfect for driving in the city and on cruise trips, the 2019 Jetta comes in a number of versions for your choice, including S, SE, SEL, SEL Premium, and R-Design. At first glance, the Jetta is elegant, polished and appealing. Simple, and functional. It features 16鈥?or 17鈥?wheels and standard LED headlights. The engine itself isn鈥檛 the most powerful of its kind, but still completely functional for its use. The Jetta comes with a 1.4-liter turbo-4 and 184 lb-ft of torque, and most versions feature an 8-speed automatic transmission and a very smooth clutch. Manual transmission with six speeds is characteristic of the S model. The turbo engine runs smoothly and builds up to 147 hp making little noise with its 4 cylinders and accelerating from 0-60 in under 8 seconds.
The Volkswagen Jetta is a comfortable and functional sedan for urban driving. Its torsion-beam rear suspension is more than enough for that, although a rougher drive down a bumpy road could shake the cabin a little. Speaking of the cabin, let鈥檚 see what鈥檚 inside the Jetta. This vehicle has been designed to provide comfort and simplicity, with a wider space for the passenger鈥檚 front seat that allows for easier movement and access to the dashboard. It has polished and simple finishings and enough room for everyone to sit down comfortably and enjoy the ride. All models come with a control touchscreen, which ranges from 6.5鈥?to 8鈥?depending on the model, the SELs featuring the largest ones. The dashboard also comes with very appealing LED illumination that creates great ambiance at night while also allowing driver and passenger to handle the controls and other features easily. The three-spoke wheel allows the driver to enjoy easy control of the vehicle, with quick response and a great balance of softness and sensibility that makes it perfect for straight-line cruising. SEL trims also offer four different drive modes that allow the driver to control the firmness and sensitivity of the wheel. In conclusion, the Volkswagen Jetta is a simple car for urban and highway drives, featuring all a good car should have but without losing itself into the fancy.
26,945 before options. Each trim comes with the new People First Warranty with 6-years/72,000-mile (whichever occurs first) coverage. The world鈥檚 best selling nameplate since the 1990s, the Toyota Corolla is the car to beat in this segment. Introduced in 2013, the latest-generation Corolla may be a little old for the upcoming Jetta, but it鈥檚 still the most popular choice in most markets. However, it鈥檚 interior doesn鈥檛 feel as fresh and its limited drivetrain choices in the U.S. 鈥檛 make it as appealing to customers who want a bit more oomph. The compact is available with just one engine here, a 1.8-liter four-cylinder, rated at either 132 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque or 140 horses and 126 pound-feet. The CVT transmission is standard, but Toyota also offers a six-speed manual. Mileage varies between 27 to 28 mpg city and 35 to 36 mpg highway depending on drivetrain. 22,730 for the range-topping trim.
Read our full story on the Toyota Corolla. The Civic is yet another compact that Volkswagen wants to steal customers from. Unlike the Corolla, the Civic sedan is brand-new for 2018 and boasts a sportier appearance. It鈥檚 notably larger than its predecessor and the Si model looks aggressive even when compared to the Jetta sketches above. Motivation comes from three different engines, starting with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder rated at 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. More oomph comes from the more expensive trims, which get juice from the turbocharged, 1.5-liter four-pot with 174 horses and 162 pound-feet. The tiny powerplant is found in the Si model too, rated at 205 horsepower and 192 pound-feet. The Si also enables Honda to better compete with the GLI version of the Jetta. Read our full review of the Honda Civic and Honda Civic Si. The Cruze also received a significant redesign recently, being only two years old for the 2018 model year. Now sporting a more upscale look and a premium-oriented interior, the current Cruze is being praised for its attractive cabin, appealing convenience and technology packages, and ample rear-seat legroom.
