Volkswagen Jetta Reviews & Prices
Slotting below the midsize Passat, the Volkswagen Jetta offers a large trunk, plenty of space for passengers, and better driving dynamics than some competitors. Along with the standard model, the Jetta is also available in a performance-oriented GLI variant. Volkswagen originally introduced the Jetta in the late 1970s as a sedan variant of the Golf and was available in two- or four-door variants in North America. In 1984, Volkswagen introduced the Jetta GLI, which was essentially a Golf GTI with a trunk. Jettas sold in the U.S. Volkswagen鈥檚 Puebla, Mexico assembly plant. The second generation Jetta arrived in North America in 1985 and eventually became one of the best selling European cars in the U.S., outselling the Golf hatchback. The third-generation Jetta arrived for the 1993 model year and was in production until the 1998 model year. Like its predecessors, it was a sedan variant of the Golf. A 2.8-liter V-6 was first offered in the Jetta for its third generation in the VR6 trim.
In global markets, the Jetta used the Vento nameplate, which was the word for wind in Italian and Portuguese. Volkswagen revealed the fourth generation model for the 1999 model year and was in production until the 2004 model year. Alongside the Jetta VR6 was the sporty Jetta GLI, which used a 179-hp 1.8-liter turbo-four. The wagon variant, called the Jetta SportWagen, first appeared in the Jetta鈥檚 fourth generation and was built in Volkswagen鈥檚 Wolfsburg, Germany plant instead of the Puebla facility that manufactures the sedan. The current-generation Volkswagen Jetta arrived for the 2011 model year with carryover engines but the standard cars鈥?rear suspension setup were downgraded to a a torsion beam. Only the Jetta GLI and Jetta Hybrid retained the multilink rear suspension before the 2014 refresh when all gas-powered variants were upgraded to full independent suspension setups. Volkswagen no longer offered a wagon variant for the sixth generation Jetta since that body style was moved to the Golf family. A new infotainment system with a 6.3-inch touchscreen was added for the 2016 model year and can be had with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on higher trim levels. As one of the few compact car entries that comes standard with turbo power, the Volkswagen Jetta offers plenty of grunt on all models. Check out the 210-hp Jetta GLI if you鈥檙e in the market for a German sports sedan with an affordable price tag. Compared to some of its competitors, the Volkswagen Jetta doesn鈥檛 have the most modern infotainment system. Despite the interface having Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the touchscreen is smaller than the ones found in its competitors. Also, some may find the styling, which will likely look as good in 10 years as it does today, to be too conservative.
And there was a genuine USB port for the first time, too. The Golf got a mild refresh for 2018 that included some styling tweaks (principally, LED running lights and tail lamps) and more standard features, including automatic headlights and wipers, and the option of a larger 8.5-inch infotainment touchscreen. The Golf feels more powerful than most other compacts in its class. Credit the 1.8 turbo鈥檚 very accessible torque peak at just 1600 rpm, which makes the car punchy in city traffic. Turbo lag is minimal. Zero to 97 km/h comes up in 7.7 seconds with the automatic transmission and 6.8 seconds with the stick. The new 1.4-L TSI gas engine attains highway velocity in 7.6 seconds. The Golf delivers a comfortable and compliant ride that smooths over ruts and potholes, yet it clings to the road and imparts an athletic feel along with strong braking. For a small car it鈥檚 exceptionally quiet on the highway. The steering is precise and quick for its class. The Golf goes where you point it, though it doesn鈥檛 feel particularly sporty - that鈥檚 the mission of the GTI.
Happier still are all the owners that took notice of their fuel usage. Turns out Volkswagen鈥檚 TSI turbo gasoline engines are frugal with regular fuel, especially the 1.4-L version. It exceeded expectations in a real-world fuel economy test, achieving 51 mpg (5.5 litres/100 km). For a car that had been prized for its efficient diesel powertrain, the latest generation Golf proves there is ample life in the brand after Dieselgate. VW鈥檚 new turbo gasoline engines are smooth and refined with just enough oomph to make the daily commute interesting, all while saving hydrocarbons. Owners relish the Golf鈥檚 stout construction, hatchback utility, great fuel economy, interior comfort and European styling. The well-sorted platform makes it a rewarding car to drive, even while loaded with kids and life鈥檚 flotsam. It鈥檚 easy to see why in much of the world, where car ownership can be punitively expensive, the Golf makes sense as the sole family car. In terms of reliability, the 2015-2019 Golf models exhibit fewer mechanical setbacks than their predecessors.
The single most common complaint has to do with the optional sunroof, which has been known to leak water (inspect the spare-tire well) and even spontaneously shatter. 鈥淧arked car in driveway. In the morning (the) panoramic sunroof was completely shattered. Not an attempted break in, it appears spontaneous, like pressure built up in the glass made it explode,鈥?reads one owner鈥檚 discovery. The glass shards are usually found pointing outward, refuting the notion that a stone impact broke the glass. A Volkswagen sunroof class action lawsuit will continue in California after a federal judge refused to dismiss the complaint. Plaintiffs claim the tempered glass used by VW may be defective and should be replaced under warranty rather than falsely paid through insurance claims. An ongoing VW problem involving faulty clock spring mechanisms in the steering column may affect 2015 and 2016 Golfs, which can set off the airbag warning lamp, as well as disable the cruise control, horn, and other buttons. Other reported problems include faulty fuel injectors, short-lived water pumps, some infotainment system glitches, stuttering automatic transmissions and other driveability issues. Despite these setbacks, the 2015 and newer Golf is a pretty reliable product. It鈥檚 worth a long second look. Diesel models are not recommended. Owners have been plagued by high pressure fuel pump failures, which sees the pump grinding itself to smithereens and contaminating the fuel system. Other TDI faults include failed fuel injectors, broken turbochargers, intercooler icing and clogged particulate filters. AdBlue DEF tank heaters commonly fail and the repair cost is astronomical.
