The 2019 Jetta features a decidedly more butch nose, with hood strakes seemingly cribbed from corporate cousin Audi鈥檚 A5. The grille has been pulled taffy taut to meet the headlights, giving sort of a bull-nose mien that we鈥檝e not previously seen in a Jetta. It鈥檚 not quite a mini Passat, but neither is it simply a Golf with a trunk. We can鈥檛 yet discern whether we find the new nose attractive, but it鈥檚 most definitely distinctive, sharing more with the latest Tiguan than anything else in VW鈥檚 current portfolio. The wheelbase has been extended by 1.3 inches over the outgoing car, and while the tail is recognizably Jetta, VW went for a faster rear roofline that evokes the brand鈥檚 CC replacement, the Arteon. Under that furrowed hood, Jetta buyers will find only Volkswagen鈥檚 turbocharged 147-hp, 184-lb-ft 1.4-liter inline-four. Thankfully, transmission options aren鈥檛 quite so limited. A six-speed manual transmission is standard but only on the base car; an eight-speed automatic is optional on that model and standard on higher-trim versions.
Auto models are fitted with a stop/start system, but manual ones aren鈥檛, which is strange, since VW has done so internationally on other stick-shift models. The Jetta has also reverted to a beam-axle rear suspension. Inside, the interior features a number of new fabric colors for the seats and door panels as well as a more aggressive stitch pattern and optional 10-color, customizable wraparound ambient lighting. Said freshly reupholstered seats feature optional heating and ventilation. The center-console bin is large enough to keep a standard iPad out of sight. VW鈥檚 Driver Personalization function means that up to four drivers can store their seat memory and driver-assistance preferences, desired temperature, favorite ambient lighting color, radio presets, and Volkswagen Digital Cockpit settings. Standard on SEL and SEL Premium Jettas, Volkswagen Digital Cockpit is a reconfigurable display that allows drivers to consume key data in a manner they find most useful, including the ability to position navigation information front and center. The Jetta also features Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink integration and offers the ability to bounce out those smartphone-sourced sounds through a 400-watt BeatsAudio system. Available safety systems include forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, automatic high-beams, and lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist. 30K when fully kitted, the 2019 Jetta will be available in S, SE, SEL, SEL Premium, and R-Line trims. The sporty GLI will arrive a bit later, leaving, initially at least, an R-Line as your sportiest Jetta option. While the previous model improved significantly over its life cycle, it never quite transcended the impression that VW had cost-cut the personality out of the car.
On a highway road trip, I found the suspension鈥攚hich provides a comfortable ride most of the time鈥攖o be a little stiff over rough freeway expansion joints. The Jetta also provides an acceptable amount of interior quietness for an inexpensive four-door, but the car won't surprise you with "class-above" quietness. In traffic, the car's eight-speed automatic is responsive. In fact, those with a more relaxed driving style might consider pressing the car's Eco button for a smoother driving experience (the transmission also has a Sport mode). When it comes to smoothness, though, the eight-speed automatic is no CVT. Pull away from a stop sign with minimal to moderate throttle, and your head will bob as the car shifts鈥攊t's subtle, but still something CVTs avoid. The 2019 Jetta gains back ground with its interior layout. Not so much the materials鈥攚hich are a mix of hard- and soft-touch surfaces (the soft front center armrest is appreciated)鈥攂ut the layout.
The touchscreen and controls are all tilted toward the driver for better visibility and access. It's an incredibly useful design touch that makes the most of the 6.5-inch touchscreen standard on the Jetta S, SE, and R-Line models; SEL variants get an 8.0-inch touchscreen. Below that screen and the central air vents are the HVAC controls that don't feel particularly rich but are perfectly functional鈥攁gain, the materials are class-appropriate but won't give anyone the illusion the controls were ripped from an Audi. Below those HVAC controls, on the right side of the shift stalk for all Jetta 1.4Ts is a row of blank button placeholders; VW tells us they'll remain empty until the GLI model arrives. Our Jetta SE tester lacked rear-seat air vents, but it's roomy and comfortable back there for outboard passengers. 450 package on the base S trim). Visibility is good all around, but we wish the outboard headrests weren't hard-mounted into the back rests, and could fold down out of the way. 23,005 price, Volkswagen throws in a bunch of content.
VW's long basic warranty is exactly twice as long as what you'll get from a Honda Civic. But the class-leading Civic is great. If you've already crossed off your list heavily discounted compacts, consider the 2019 Jetta in the SEL non-Premium trim. The Jetta SEL trim adds a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster like nothing in its class鈥擨 spent a year in an Audi A4 with a similar system and miss the cool tech. 2,270 from SE to SEL also gets you 10-color ambient lighting, a larger touchscreen with a second USB, a CD player (Spotify and Apple Music don't have everything), adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and a 400-watt eight-speaker sound system. In SEL form, the Jetta is a quick and spacious compact with a killer warranty, neat cabin tech, and a touchscreen that smartly faces the driver. The cabin doesn't have universally high-quality materials, but that's why you're considering Volkswagens and Hondas instead of Audis and Mercedes. If driving a good car is still a priority to you in a compact-sedan class full of discounted options, add the Jetta to your list beside the Civic.
