2019 Volkswagen Jetta Information

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta debuted earlier this year at the Chicago Auto Show. This seventh-generation model replaces a fine but generally underwhelming car that lost much of the premium feel that made the Jetta such a strong car in the past. It's based on the same platform that underpins the Volkswagen Golf, Tiguan and next-generation Audi Q3. It's larger, too. In fact, it's longer and wider than a B5 Volkswagen Passat from just 15 years ago, though it doesn't weigh quite as much as that car. Our tester was a mid-grade R-Line. Currently, the only available engine is a 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-four. We're crossing our fingers for a new GLI performance model sometime soon. Power is sent to the front wheels through either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic. The R-Line comes with leatherette seating, 17-inch wheels, proximity entry and push-button ignition, blind-spot monitoring and more. Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore 鈥?The latest version of the Jetta feels like an Audi-lite. Dressed in R-Line trim and a snazzy shade of red paint, this tester certainly could pass for something from Ingolstadt. Under the skin, the Jetta has a solid chassis and a peppy 1.4-liter turbo-four.

Dynamically, my only beef is with the steering, which feels overly light. The cabin is attractive and laid out intuitively. The materials on the door panels and dashboard are underwhelming, though the trim and the seats are nice. The infotainment feels dated, but it's easy enough to use. The trunk is spacious. A stroller fit in there, no problem. I'm a big fan of the exterior design, which has a bit of A4 in it. I suppose it also reminds me of the Hyundai Sonata, which is attractive-looking, too. The Jetta is a solid product. The new generation is doing a lot to advance its position in a crowded segment, though it still lags behind the overall excellence of the Honda Civic. Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder 鈥?When I sat in the Jetta on the Detroit auto show floor, I was unimpressed. I'm not a huge fan of the new looks 鈥?the grille, the excessive hood creases, the interior full of odd, angular shapes.

But actually spending time in it on the road, it quickly grew on me. The first good omen: my full-size Nalgene water bottle fits securely in the in-door cupholder. I like the look of the two-tone perforated seats. I find the shape of the dash, with the infotainment screen tilted toward the driver 鈥?to be a functional form. I enjoy the behavior of the 1.4-liter turbo, too. I'm especially fond of the power it summons once the turbo spools up, which I find helpful passing fools on the highway. On the drive home, I took it through some sweeping turns. I was impressed with its poise as I held or built speed. The body seemed to set itself as I dialed in more steering angle 鈥?it reminded me of the 2018 Mazda6's early-to-mid-corner behavior. Full Review The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta debuted earlier this year at the Chicago Auto Show. This seventh-generation model replaces a fine but generally underwhelming car that lost much of the premium feel that made the Jetta such a strong car in the past.

It's based on the same platform that underpins the Volkswagen Golf, Tiguan and next-generation Audi Q3. It's larger, too. In fact, it's longer and wider than a B5 Volkswagen Passat from just 15 years ago, though it doesn't weigh quite as much as that car. Our tester was a mid-grade R-Line. Currently, the only available engine is a 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-four. We're crossing our fingers for a new GLI performance model sometime soon. Power is sent to the front wheels through either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic. The R-Line comes with leatherette seating, 17-inch wheels, proximity entry and push-button ignition, blind-spot monitoring and more. Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore 鈥?The latest version of the Jetta feels like an Audi-lite. Dressed in R-Line trim and a snazzy shade of red paint, this tester certainly could pass for something from Ingolstadt. Under the skin, the Jetta has a solid chassis and a peppy 1.4-liter turbo-four.

Dynamically, my only beef is with the steering, which feels overly light. The cabin is attractive and laid out intuitively. The materials on the door panels and dashboard are underwhelming, though the trim and the seats are nice. The infotainment feels dated, but it's easy enough to use. The trunk is spacious. A stroller fit in there, no problem. I'm a big fan of the exterior design, which has a bit of A4 in it. I suppose it also reminds me of the Hyundai Sonata, which is attractive-looking, too. The Jetta is a solid product. The new generation is doing a lot to advance its position in a crowded segment, though it still lags behind the overall excellence of the Honda Civic. Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder 鈥?When I sat in the Jetta on the Detroit auto show floor, I was unimpressed. I'm not a huge fan of the new looks 鈥?the grille, the excessive hood creases, the interior full of odd, angular shapes. But actually spending time in it on the road, it quickly grew on me. The first good omen: my full-size Nalgene water bottle fits securely in the in-door cupholder. I like the look of the two-tone perforated seats. I find the shape of the dash, with the infotainment screen tilted toward the driver 鈥?to be a functional form. I enjoy the behavior of the 1.4-liter turbo, too. I'm especially fond of the power it summons once the turbo spools up, which I find helpful passing fools on the highway. On the drive home, I took it through some sweeping turns. I was impressed with its poise as I held or built speed. The body seemed to set itself as I dialed in more steering angle 鈥?it reminded me of the 2018 Mazda6's early-to-mid-corner behavior.

2019 Volkswagen Jetta Information

Hybrids have reintroduced electrons to the driving experience, and the rumble, shake and shimmy of the internal combustion engine is being muffled and, in some cases, even silenced by cars like the Toyota Prius, 2011 Chevy Volt and Tesla Roadster. For us to continue harnessing the energy of combustion under our hoods, we need to go much further on a gallon of fuel. Enter Volkswagen and the diesel-powered passenger cars it's been selling in the U.S. 70s, the latest of which is the 2009 Jetta TDI. Follow the jump to find out how VW's newest diesel fares against the electrified future of the automobile. Most U.S. customers have largely ignored VW diesels. Early examples had their quirks, including an engine rattle that sounded like a Peterbilt and the propensity to puff out black smoke like a coal miner. Still, they could go twice as far on a tank of diesel compared to gas-powered cars and their engines lasted for hundreds of thousands of miles. A cult following has kept them going and many have been converted to run on vegetable oil and other bio-fuel blends.

It will be years before we know if the new 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine powering the Jetta TDI is as bulletproof as its predecessors, but we can tell you that its fuel efficiency is as impressive as ever. The EPA has rated the car at 30 miles-per-gallon in the city and 41 mpg on the highway. VW felt the EPA test cycle wasn't accurate and hired an independent company called AMCI to run more real world tests that yielded even better results: 38 mpg city/ 44 mpg highway. BOSCH, on a trip from Cleveland to Pittsburgh. We were specifically curious to find out if achieving similar highway fuel economy numbers as the EPA and AMCI required a hypermiler's touch, or if our lead-infused feet could manage equally respectable numbers. Long story short: Our best average fuel economy was 46.1 mpg on the highway. The current fuel economy champ in the U.S. Toyota Prius, which the EPA rates at 48 mpg city/45 mpg highway.

What makes the Jetta TDI so impressive is that it doesn't require a complex hybrid drivetrain to achieve similar results. The straightforward design of Rudolph Diesel's engine and an interstate, highway or autobahn is all that's required. In fact, the Jetta TDI doesn't even require a cross-country trip to show its stuff. Though high-speed cruising is when this powertrain is most efficient, we also achieved results in the mid to high 30-mpg range while running errands around town. Full Review 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI - Click above for high-res image gallery The car as we know it is being redefined. Hybrids have reintroduced electrons to the driving experience, and the rumble, shake and shimmy of the internal combustion engine is being muffled and, in some cases, even silenced by cars like the Toyota Prius, 2011 Chevy Volt and Tesla Roadster. For us to continue harnessing the energy of combustion under our hoods, we need to go much further on a gallon of fuel.

Enter Volkswagen and the diesel-powered passenger cars it's been selling in the U.S. 70s, the latest of which is the 2009 Jetta TDI. Follow the jump to find out how VW's newest diesel fares against the electrified future of the automobile. Most U.S. customers have largely ignored VW diesels. Early examples had their quirks, including an engine rattle that sounded like a Peterbilt and the propensity to puff out black smoke like a coal miner. Still, they could go twice as far on a tank of diesel compared to gas-powered cars and their engines lasted for hundreds of thousands of miles. A cult following has kept them going and many have been converted to run on vegetable oil and other bio-fuel blends. It will be years before we know if the new 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine powering the Jetta TDI is as bulletproof as its predecessors, but we can tell you that its fuel efficiency is as impressive as ever. The EPA has rated the car at 30 miles-per-gallon in the city and 41 mpg on the highway.