Flash Drive: 2019 Volkswagen Jetta R-Line
Habanero Orange paint looks just right on the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta R-Line. On other trim levels, not so much. Have you noticed the trend toward affordable and sporty looking cars? In most cases, they don鈥檛 offer upgrades in terms of performance. Rather, they provide the styling changes and nicer wheels that are commonly a part of a more fun version of the vehicle, but with just a few extra features in order to keep the price low. That way, they look good on the outside without breaking a buyer鈥檚 budget. Volkswagen鈥檚 approach is the R-Line trim level. With the 2019 Jetta R-Line, VW installs styling changes that include a unique black grille, black side mirrors, and revised bumpers. Split-spoke 17-inch wheels with a gray finish add to the sporty appearance, as do fog lights with a corner illuminating function. Inside, the Jetta R-Line gets 2-tone leatherette seats in a black and Storm Gray scheme, and a black headliner.
The driver faces a leather-wrapped R-Line steering wheel, and this is the only Jetta variant equipped with Volkswagen鈥檚 XDS Differential, an electronic differential lock from the racy Golf GTI that improves traction and handling through brake-induced torque vectoring. What鈥檚 the price of the Volkswagen Jetta R-Line? 895 to ship it north from VW鈥檚 Puebla, Mexico assembly plant. Volkswagen lightens the mood inside of the Jetta R-Line by adding 2-tone black and Storm Gray seats. The R-Line鈥檚 infotainment system is basic, offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto but little else. Though it competes with compact cars, the redesigned 2019 VW Jetta is really roomy inside, and the 14.1 cubic-foot trunk is sizable enough for a family of four. Despite the R-Line鈥檚 black headliner, this cabin looks and feels spacious thanks to the Storm Gray seat inserts. An oversized sunroof helps, too. Standard dual-zone automatic climate control worked well during testing, but mild fall weather did not challenge it either way. In hotter conditions, the Jetta鈥檚 leatherette tends to trap sweat.
For cold days, heated front seats are standard. Drivers enjoy 6-way manual seat adjustment and a tilt/telescopic steering wheel, so finding a comfortable driving position is easy. The front passenger鈥檚 seat does not offer height adjustment, so the person there feels like he or she is sitting too low and close to the floor. Rear seat passengers enjoy plenty of room and seat support, but Volkswagen offers no air conditioning vents to help them keep cool. FOLLOW DAILY NEWS AUTOS ON FACEBOOK. Jetta R-Line trim includes the car鈥檚 standard infotainment system, which supplies Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Given the R-Line鈥檚 unique position in the lineup and potential appeal to younger buyers, VW really ought to offer an upgrade package to the Composition Media infotainment system that comes in SEL and Limited trim. That way, the R-Line would get a proximity sensing 8-inch display, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a Beats Audio premium sound system. That infotainment system also provides Car-Net Security and Service, an important consideration for parents who might choose to get a Jetta for their child to drive.
Free for the first six months of ownership, Car-Net Security and Service offers remote car locking and unlocking, a find-my-car function, SOS emergency calling, quick access to roadside assistance, and automatic collision notification services, among other functions. The Family Guardian service allows parents to monitor how the car is used through speed, curfew, and geographic boundary alerts. Alas, none of this good stuff is offered for the Jetta R-Line. You do, however, benefit from a standard automatic post-collision braking system, which is a relatively rare feature designed to bring the Jetta to a full stop as soon as is possible after a crash. Why is this important? Once the airbags blow and deflate, and after the Jetta鈥檚 underlying vehicle architecture has absorbed the first impact, you don鈥檛 want the car to hit anything else because occupants won鈥檛 be as well protected. A basic reversing camera, a forward collision warning system, an automatic emergency braking system, and blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert all come standard with R-Line trim. That鈥檚 terrific. And the systems work, too. When I looked back at the road, realized my closing rate was unsafe, and got on the brakes, the Jetta had already initiated forward collision warning and, possibly, some automatic braking. In a moment like this one, you鈥檙e not focused on what the car is doing. You鈥檙e focused on avoiding a collision.
