JETTA GETS EVEN BETTA
After having left the outgoing Jetta hanging on the vine for seven long years, Volkswagen has debuted its next-generation model. The new look is dominated by a large grille flanked by C-shaped LED daytime running lights — it is an expressive face that shifts the Jetta from dull to fetching. From there and back, the fastback-like roofline and character lines add an upscale touch to the seventhgeneration sedan.
Perhaps the biggest change is the fact the new Jetta rides on the company’s MQB platform, which it shares with the Atlas. It is now wider, longer and lower than the outgoing model and there’s a welcome 35-millimetre stretch in the wheelbase, which now measures 2,686 mm.
The reworked interior mirrors the exterior’s new swagger and it marks a big step forward in terms of quality and available amenities. There are now some very nice soft-touch materials and an equal measure of technology packed into the cabin. The amount varies according to trim. There’s the Comfortline, Highline and Execline, with the sporty R-Line package ($1,700) offered on the Highline.
On the Execline model tested, Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit instrument cluster gives a configurable display and the ability to put the navigation system’s map front and centre. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and VW’s MirrorLink connectivity are supported. On the base car, it works with a 16.5-centimetre touch screen; the Execline gets a 20-centimetre display with GPS navigation. Perhaps the only letdown is the leatherette in the Highline — it is better than some faux materials, but it still lets the side down considering the work that went into giving the interior a renewed sense of luxury. The cloth in the base car is a better choice. Conversely, the leather on the Execline is supple, heated and cooled.
From the driver’s seat, the low dashboard and narrow A-pillars give a clean, uncluttered view of the road ahead. Likewise, the standard rear-view camera eases parking. As for comfort, the front seats are more accommodating than the outgoing units and there is a ton of rear-seat space with enough width to accommodate three adults with relative ease, although the back of the centre console does eat into the middle rider’s knee room. Behind that is a large 399-litre trunk.
Another of the smart moves is the availability of important safety equipment; blind-spot monitoring with rear crosstraffic alert is standard on all but the base Comfortline. Available on the Highline and Execline is the Driver Assistance package ($995), which includes forwardcollision warning with automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams and lanedeparture warning with keep assist.
The new Jetta continues with the previous 1.4-L turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The power is relayed to the road through the front wheels and either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission, both of which are new and offered on all models. Interestingly, both offer the same fuel economy rating of 7.0 L per 100 kilometres.
On the drive, the Jetta with the automatic had ample pep. No, it is not going to set your heart aflutter, but the transmission shifts quickly and smoothly, and always found the right gear to make the most of the strong low- and mid-range torque. In somewhat of a surprise, the tester produced an average of 6.6 L/100 km on the drive route, which is very good.
The combination was also very quiet at highway speeds, and here the new Jetta sets a class benchmark. There is virtually no engine noise, and both wind and road noise are muted. It’s Lexus-like in its serenity. As for the performance, an impromptu dash saw the Jetta run from rest to 100 km/ h in 8.6 seconds, which is par for the course in the segment.
The new platform works wonders for the ride and handling characteristics and a spirited drive hammered home the improvements. The body remained flat and it hunkered down nicely through a fast corner. There was also much less of a tendency for the back end to chatter out of line when broken pavement was encountered.
It took a lot to get the Jetta to misbehave on the drive, especially when it had the Execline’s model’s 17-inch wheels and lower-profile P205/55 tires. The latter’s effect is such it is worth upgrading to the R-Line package if you are buying the mid-range Highline.
The latest Jetta has sharper looks, a swanky interior and the quietest ride in the segment. The performance is up to snuff, but those wanting more should wait for the upcoming GLI.
Pricing starts at $20,995 for the manual Comfortline and $22,395 for the automatic (the only option is a block heater) and tops out with the Execline at $27,695 for the manual and $29,095 for the automatic versions. The 2019 Jetta hits dealer showrooms by the end of the month.