2019 Volkswagen Jetta: Upscale, not upsized
[MUSIC]
After a few generations of neglect, witness the return of the Jetta.
It's a little bit bigger, it's slightly longer, and that frees up more space inside for people and cargo.
Not much, but enough to make that spec improvement for 2019 claim.
However, rather than a move up in scale I feel like this is more of a move up scale for the new Jetta, and more importantly it feels like less of an afterthought in Volkswagen's lineup.
So how much better is the 2019 Jetta?
Well, grab shotgun with me in this SEL premium model and we'll find out together.
[MUSIC]
So the performance news here is that the [UNKNOWN]
is finally Famed MQB platform, the modular platform that underpins the Golf and the GTI.
However, rather than being a hot hatchback, what we have here is a sedan.
And that's fine, it's a different tool For a different job, and the Jetta's job is being comfortable and quiet.
And it excels at that job with a ride that is smooth and steering that's pretty direct but not tiring, so this is a very easy car to drive over long distances.
Meanwhile, road and wind noise are also attacked by the same aerodynamic upgrades as this generation sees that help it get fuel economy that's better than before.
Now you'll notice that I didn't say anything about this car being stronger or more powerful at the opening, and that's because it's not.
Under the hood you'll find a version of the same one 0.4 liter turbocharged sports cylinder that underpinned the last generation.
Power is down a couple horsepower, to 147 ponies.
But torque is still the same, at 184 pound-feet.
And that's a good amount of torque for a car of this size, it makes it feel nice and responsive around town.
However, on the road, it You are kind of relying on the transmission, the [UNKNOWN] automatic that is standard in this vehicle to fill in some of the gaps.
And it doesn't always do the best job.
You try to push this car on a [UNKNOWN] road, you'll find not only the suspension and the [UNKNOWN] Really set up towards understeer, which makes it not very fun to go around corners but also that the gearing's a bit taller, a bit too much space between second and third gear for this to be a really fun car on a twisty road.
So just chill out and enjoy the ride.
While you're enjoying that ride you'll find And that this cabin is full of a lot more cool tech.
We talk about a lot of it in a separate video but we've got a big navigation system here, Volkswagen's most advanced version of its digital cockpit and that's gonna make this car feel really smart.
The Beats audio system is all right.
I kinda wish that it was the Fender audio system that was on some previous generation Volkswagen models but it gets the job done and it sounds Pretty good.
Meanwhile, we got a bunch of safety tech also helping things out.
Standard is gonna be a rear view camera and Volkswagen's pre-collision assist system.
But then with the fully loaded model, we've also got things like lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control that works with stop and go traffic.
It's a bit stuttery in stop and go traffic But it gets the job done.
That's a theme you'll notice with this car.
It gets the job done.
It's not the most exciting car on the road, but it's not a terrible choice.
And with a lower starting price than before and better fuel economy at 30 city and 40 on the highway, well, it's still a pretty solid choice.
[MUSIC]
[MUSIC]
The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta starts at a surprisingly affordable 18595.
But this SEL premium model with all of the bells and whistles we like tested around 27 K. Let's call it just under 28,000 with destination charges.
Still, that's not a bad price, and this is a really good choice for someone looking for a comfortable
[MUSIC]
Stylish and well equipped mid [INAUDIBLE] if not necessarily concerned with having the fastest steamy holder.
[MUSIC]
[BLANK_AUDIO]
Up Next
2022 Volkswagen Golf R: Less Than the Sum of Its Parts
Up Next
2022 Volkswagen Golf R: Less Than the Sum of Its Parts
VW ID Buzz Trades Flower Power for Electric Power
VW ID Buzz Trades Flower Power for Electric Power
2022 VW Jetta and GLI rock new looks, sharper tech
2022 VW Jetta and GLI rock new looks, sharper tech
VW's ID 4 is calm and competent, but not quite charming
VW's ID 4 is calm and competent, but not quite charming
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan: Spot the changes
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan: Spot the changes
2022 Volkswagen Taos: Small but mighty
2022 Volkswagen Taos: Small but mighty
Bruce Meyers: Meet the beach boy who invented the dune buggy
Bruce Meyers: Meet the beach boy who invented the dune buggy
2021 Volkswagen ID 4 arrives this year with 250-mile range
2021 Volkswagen ID 4 arrives this year with 250-mile range
VW Atlas looks sharper, drives safer
VW Atlas looks sharper, drives safer
Volkswagen ID Space Vizzion concept: Electric wagon is production-bound
Volkswagen ID Space Vizzion concept: Electric wagon is production-bound
Tech Shows
Latest News All latest news
PlayStation 5 Pro Leaked: Everything We Know
PlayStation 5 Pro Leaked: Everything We Know
Everything Just Revealed at Nvidia's GTC AI Conference
Everything Just Revealed at Nvidia's GTC AI Conference
Nvidia Reveals Omniverse Cloud Streams to the Vision Pro
Nvidia Reveals Omniverse Cloud Streams to the Vision Pro
Nvidia Shows Project GROOT and Disney Bots at GTC Conference
Nvidia Shows Project GROOT and Disney Bots at GTC Conference
Expert vs. AI: Is Now the Time to Buy an EV?
Expert vs. AI: Is Now the Time to Buy an EV?
The PlayStation Portal Built-In Volume Is too Loud: Here's How to Keep It Low
The PlayStation Portal Built-In Volume Is too Loud: Here's How to Keep It Low
Most Popular All most popular
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Latest Products All latest products
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
Motorola's Rollable Concept Phone Wraps on Your Wrist
Motorola's Rollable Concept Phone Wraps on Your Wrist
See Adobe Lightroom on the Apple Vision Pro
See Adobe Lightroom on the Apple Vision Pro
This $400 Cane Has a Built-In Phone
This $400 Cane Has a Built-In Phone
Latest How To All how to videos
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro
Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips
Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips
How to Use a Quest 3 Like the Vision Pro