The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is a sharp, well-equipped sedan offering turbocharged power and efficiency, driver aid tech, and plenty of space.
The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is the seventh generation in the Jetta lineage, stretching back through four decades. This new Jetta is easy to identify with a sharp exterior design full of crisp styling lines, subtle bits of flair like LED taillights, and minimal gimmicks. That story carries to the interior where you’ll find plenty of space with everything laid out in an easy to find manner, the infotainment system is powerful and intuitive, and things like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come as standard equipment. The Jetta is powered by a small turbocharged engine that provides brisk acceleration while sipping fuel.
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Sharp new exterior style
Impressive standard tech like Apple CarPlay
Turbocharged engine
Not the most fun to drive in the class
Distinctive German engineering and pleasant interior
The Volkswagen Jetta has always stood out from its peers with a distinctly Germanic driving style. That means the ride is comfortable, yet taut, so you can enjoy the drive to the office as much as you can a twisty bit of road. It’s not necessarily a sporty sedan, but it handles with confidence. The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is powered by a single engine option, a 1.4-liter four-cylinder. While that does not sound like much, the engine is turbocharged and produces a healthy 147 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Most of the trim levels come equipped with a very good eight-speed automatic transmission that does a good job managing the available power to provide brisk acceleration while ensuring optimal efficiency when cruising. The base S trim level is also available with a six-speed manual transmission if you prefer to row your own gears. If you want to maximize handling, the R-Line trim gets an electronic limited slip differential which helps you put the power down through the corners. The Volkswagen Jetta’s sleek design and sharp performance have made it a favorite for daily drivers and enthusiasts alike, including celebrities like Justin Timberlake. The Jetta is a clear favorite, however, other compact sedans like the Honda Civic offer a sportier drive. Read how the Volkswagen Jetta compares to other entry-level cars here.
Thanks to its small displacement engine, the 2019 VW Jetta returns very strong fuel economy. According to the EPA, both transmission options will return the same estimated fuel economy numbers which are 30 mpg in the city, 40 mpg on the highway, with a combined rating of 34 mpg. These numbers are very competitive for the segment and will help reduce your fuel bills. If you’re interested in which fuel types help you get the best mileage, check out our article on fuel types for efficient rides.
The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta offers a surprisingly spacious interior. The EPA rates the passenger volume at over 94 cubic feet with 38.5-inches of front headroom and 41.1 inches of front leg room. Cargo space is also generous with a trunk that can hold 14.1 cubic feet of stuff. The Jetta also benefits from 60/40 split folding rear seats which helps you fit those larger or longer items in. You and your four passengers can enjoy a variety of seating materials including cloth, V-tex leatherette, or premium leather. You can also indulge yourself with the available 8-way power adjustable driver seat, heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and the dual-zone automatic climate control system. You can even treat your rear seat passengers to heated seats on the top SEL Premium model. Between the luxurious features and the ample space, riding in the Jetta proves to be very comfortable, regardless of which seat you’re in.
If you’re interested in the latest technology, the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is available with impressive tech. The car comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so you’ll have no problem connecting your smartphone and accessing your favorite apps. The infotainment system starts with a 6.5-inch touchscreen but upper trims get a large 8-inch display. VW also offers the incredible digital cockpit which replaces the traditional gauge cluster with a fully digital 10.25-inch screen. This screen can show lots of information, like displaying your navigation maps and directions right in front of you so you don’t need to take your eyes off the road. The infotainment system might be a deciding factor if you are looking at buying a new versus a used Jetta.
The 2019 Jetta is a safe vehicle as well, with a 5-star crash test rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS gave the Jetta its highest available rating in all of its crash tests. To help make every drive a bit safer, VW also offers a variety of safety technology like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and forward-collision warning. In fact, the IIHS awarded the front crash prevention system in the Jetta a Superior rating which is the highest rating.
For a starting price, the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta S comes nicely equipped. All Jetta models feature the same 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 147 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The S model is the only Jetta trim offered with the six-speed manual transmission, which comes standard, and the 8-speed automatic transmission is an option. The infotainment system features a 6.5-inch touchscreen, a USB port, Bluetooth connectivity, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The interior has cloth seats.
The SE trim benefits from standard equipment like the 8-speed automatic transmission, leatherette seats, and heated front seats. You also get things like a sunroof, a dual-zone automatic climate control system, blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.
The R-Line gets sportier exterior styling, fog lights, and an electronic limited slip differential.
The SEL trim gets a larger 8-inch touchscreen display, Volkswagen’s impressive Digital Cockpit with a 10.25-inch display in place of a traditional gauge cluster, and an extra USB port. The SEL also gets the Beats Audio premium sound system with 8 speakers, adaptive cruise control, and a lane departure warning system.
The SEL Premium tops the Jetta lineup with real leather for the seats, an 8-way power adjustable driver seat, heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and even heated rear seats.
If a good warranty is important to you when buying a new car, the one offered on the Jetta is quite appealing. Good for 6 years or 72,000 miles, the warranty covers bumper to bumper, including the powertrain, to give you peace of mind should something unexpected happen. The warranty is also transferable, which could help a future buyer if you sell it within the warranty period.
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The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is a solid choice in the compact sedan segment. It offers handsome, gimmick free exterior styling, a spacious and well-equipped interior, and the powertrain delivers plenty of performance while returning excellent fuel economy. Add in the safety and information technology and you’ve got a car that is hard to ignore.