We spent a week 2019 Volkswagen Jetta SE to find out. From a styling standpoint, the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta SE is practically indistinguishable from the SEL we鈥檝e already tested. With the exception of the fender badge/vent on the SEL, these two trim levels are identical including the LED headlights and alloy wheels. Every line, crease and detail gives the new Jetta a far more upscale appearance than its predecessor, and that starts up front with the wider grille and creased hood. There are two separate creases that run down the side of the car that add a dynamic touch to the Jetta鈥檚 profile, and even the relatively small 16-inch alloy wheels do a great job of filling out wheel openings. We鈥檝e seen all of these elements used across the VW design language in recent years, but the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is the most cohesive example of the automaker鈥檚 current design work.
The changes between the SEL and this 2019 Volkswagen Jetta SE are most apparent once you鈥檙e on the inside. That being said, even without class-leading features such as the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, eight-inch touch screen infotainment display or the BeatsAudio, this cabin is still roomy and well appointed. The SE proves that you don鈥檛 have to spend a lot on a new car to get modern conveniences like leatherette seats, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and dual-zone automatic climate control. Perhaps the only disappointment about the Jetta鈥檚 cabin is the so-called panoramic sunroof. From the outside, the sunroof takes up almost half the roof鈥檚 area, but inside, the opening is no bigger than a typical sunroof. In terms of space, the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is longer, wider and taller than the sixth-gen Jetta, and that equates to a small yet welcomed amount of added cabin volume. Despite offering less legroom for the rear seats, the seventh-gen Jetta feels bigger than the previous Jetta as well as other compact sedans currently on the market.
The big advantage this sedan has is improvements in materials and the fit and finish throughout the cabin resulting in a passenger experience that is impressively quiet and comfortable, and that鈥檚 just what an entry-level compact sedan needs! Unlike the 2018 model year, the all-new 2019 Volkswagen Jetta only offers a single engine - VW鈥檚 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at 147 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Another change is that it鈥檚 now a little harder to get a manual transmission. 2 mpg city and 1 mpg highway compared to the 2018 model year. As we saw in our initial test drive review of the new Jetta, this compact sedan has gotten so much better to drive thanks to VW鈥檚 MQB platform. On the Jetta, it offers front-wheel drive layout with a torsion-beam rear suspension, which allows the sedan to feel balanced when being driven on windy back roads without resulting in a harsh ride in the city or on the interstate. The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta has not yet rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, but it does come with plenty of standard safety and conceivence features including automatic post-collision braking VW鈥檚 Car-Net App-Connect service. The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta SE delivers a perfect balance between equipment, style, comfort, value and peace of mind (thanks to the six-year/72,000-mile warranty). 23,005 after the destination charge. Make sure to visit your local AutoNation Volkswagen dealership and test drive the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta today! Based on 2019 EPA mileage ratings. Your mileage will vary depending on specific vehicle trim, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, and other factors. MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.
The Jetta received a redesign this year with a new grille and LED lights. Volkswagen makes it easy to pick the Jetta you want. It comes in three trims: Comfortline, Highline and top of the heap Execline. If any sedan is fun to drive it is the Jetta. All three trims are powered by a 1.4-litre TSI turbocharged engine with either a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic transmission. My tester had the automatic transmission and it worked well with the turbo engine. You can set the engine for normal, comfort, sport or eco mode giving you four different feelings when you are behind the wheel. I had a few long drives to make the week I had the Jetta so it remained in eco mode. The adaptive cruise control was a great feature on the highway, giving my right foot a break on the long drive. Even in Eco mode, the Jetta鈥檚 turbo engine kept up with traffic and not once did I feel like I wasn鈥檛 in control of the car.
