As you can see, Volkswagen hasn't tried anything particularly daring with the Jetta's new look. The press release is quick to point out the coupelike roofline, but the overall styling isn't nearly as sleek as the concept sketches we've already seen. Still, the 2019 Jetta is generally handsome even it's not a total design knockout. More important than the design, however, is the architecture. The new Jetta is finally built on the MQB platform like the Golf, a car that impressed us so much that we named it our 2015 Motor Trend Car of the Year. Volkswagen says the new Jetta is now longer, wider, and taller than the previous version, with a wheelbase that's grown by 1.3 inches to 105.7. Thanks to its larger size, expect a more spacious cabin, as well. Plus, despite the sportier, sloping roofline, VW promises that rear headroom hasn't been compromised. The interior has been completely redesigned, and depending on the trim level, Volkswagen now offers its own version of Audi's Virtual Cockpit. The infotainment system has also been moved further up to make it easier to read. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink are also available, as is a 400-watt BeatsAudio sound system.
Granted, some A4 models have round tips, but I鈥檝e seen a few with trapezoidal units as well. The huge amount of A4 details prevent me from enjoying the Jetta as much as I should. It鈥檚 a shame that Volkswagen wasn鈥檛 able to come up with a more original design, although I have a feeling that this won鈥檛 bother the usual customers too much. The sedan is also longer and wider, with the short overhangs providing a longer wheelbase too. Finally, full LED lights are standard front and rear, an exclusive feature in this segment. Yes, Volkswagen is moving the Jetta closer to the premium market again. While not yet dated, at least when compared to other vehicles on the market, the outgoing Jetta鈥檚 interior was incredibly boring. Sure, the same was available for almost every other affordable compact a few years ago, but the Jetta needed a drastic makeover to bounce back. And Volkswagen delivered by creating a modern, fresh-looking cockpit for a four-door that鈥檚 supposed to tackle the upper market of the affordable compact segment.
The dashboard is no longer flat, now employing various angular lines and a more pronounced two tier design. The new infotainment display sits at the top, with the trapezoidal HVAC vents moved lower in the center stack. The control layout is much cleaner, while the new storage console is large enough to fit a standard iPad. The instrument cluster area feels sportier. The steering wheel is the only element that remained unchanged, with just minor upgrades to the control section. The seats and door panels have been redesigned too and come wrapped in new upholstery colors. Volkswagen claims that it used higher quality and softer materials in the new Jetta. While this is evident in the photos, I can鈥檛 say it鈥檚 on par with other compact premium cars. New options include 10-color ambient lighting, heated and ventilated front seats, power driver鈥檚 seat with memory function, leather upholstery, and dual-zone automatic climate control.
The infotainment screen is also new, making all vehicle information easily accessible. The Driver Personalization setting with up to four driver setting is standard and includes setups for driver seat memory, driver assistance system preferences, temperature, Volkswagen Digital Cockpit arrangement (if equipped), ambient lighting color, radio presets, and navigation view. The new Digital Cockpit instrument cluster is optional on the base model and standard on SEL and SEL Premium trims. It comes with a reconfigurable display and the possibility to position navigation data in front of the driver. Features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink integration, as well as the 400-watt Beats Audio sound system are optional. The latter makes the Jetta the first Volkswagen in the U.S. There鈥檚 bigger news in the driver assistance department, with new technology available. The rearview camera is standard on every model, while the options list includes Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control, High Beam Control, and Lane Departure Warning.
Volkswagen didn鈥檛 have much to say about the drivetrain, but it did confirm that the new compact uses a turbocharged, 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine with direct injection. The unit cranks out 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet. That鈥檚 a three horsepower decrease compared to the outgoing 1.4-liter mill, but it keeps the Jetta at the top of the compact class output-wise. But while the engine didn鈥檛 change much, it mates to a new six-speed manual transmission. An eight-speed automatic is offered optionally on the base model and standard on the higher trims and includes a start/stop system for improved fuel economy. There aren鈥檛 any EPA estimates yet, but the new platform, the revised engine, and the new transmissions should make the new Jetta more efficient that the previous model. The outgoing sedan returns 28 mpg city and 40 mpg highway, so it鈥檚 safe to assume that the redesigned model will surpass the 40-mpg mark on the highway. 100 drop compared to the outgoing model. For the minimum amount, you get the Jetta S model with the manual transmission. 800 and you can upgrade to the eight-speed automatic gearbox.
