Ushering in new era for Jetta’s base engine
Direct injection or turbo, smaller 1.4 litre comes up big in delivering economy, power
KANATA, ONT.— Time for some Volkswagen trivia: When did the company begin putting the same 2.0-L fourcylinder engine into the compact Jetta sedan? Answer: 1993. I had no idea it had been around that long either.
At any rate, after 22 years of powering Jettas worldwide, Volkswagen has decided to retire the venerable 2.0 (or 2-point slow, as it was sometimes called) and replace it with an all-new 1.4-L four.
This is a significant move for Volkswagen, especially in Canada where 2.0-L equipped Jettas account for about 20 per cent of the company’s sales volume.
The 1.4-litre TSI, known internally as the EA211, features both direct injection and turbocharging. While considerably smaller than the 2.0 in terms of displacement, it comes up big with performance and projected fuel efficiency gains.
On the performance side, horsepower jumps to 150 (from 115) and peak torque output climbs to 184 lb.ft (from 125).
Volkswagen also expects the 1.4 TSI to deliver much improved fuel economy with an increase of 22 per cent overall, and combined city/highway efficiency of 7.3L/100 km.
The available transmissions carry over from the outgoing car — there’s the standard 5-speed manual and an optional 6-speed automatic.
Because the Jetta just had a facelift for the 2015 model year, there’s not much else new with the 2016 model, although there are some significant changes with regard to available infotainment systems.
The Jetta 1.4 TSI will be available in three trims: Trendline, Trendline+ and Comfortline.
For a recent preview in the Ottawa area, Volkswagen brought a handful of mid-range Trendline+ models, each outfitted with an automatic transmission and the connectivity package with App Connect ($400), which comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink.
The aforementioned infotainment systems have been overhauled and now feature larger screens, faster processors and improved functionality with standard SD card, auxiliary and USB compatibility. They are available in four screen sizes: 5-inch, 6.33-inch, 6.5-inch and 8-inch.
The Trendline+ also comes with a bunch of other standard goodies, including an alarm system, heated front seats and wiper nozzles, power heated side mirrors, keyless entry and USB connectivity, among other features.
On the road, the Jetta offers a pleasing driving experience.
Despite its small size, the 1.4-litre turbo offers impressive acceleration thanks in large part to a flat torque curve. The engine delivers peak output between 1,400 and 3,500 rpm.
You’ll have to wind up the engine a little more to access all 150 horses at 5,000 rpm, but it’s a threshold that can be easily attained in normal driving situations.
All of this makes the Jetta surprisingly quick off the line when pushed hard, and although I would take the manual if I were considering this car for myself, the smooth-shifting sixspeed automatic with Tiptronic offers a reasonable compromise.
With the driving mode set to sport and the transmission in manual mode, the Jetta feels more sporty thanks to the ability to select gears manually. It doesn’t deliver the same experience of a traditional stick shift, but it still raises the fun-to-drive factor nevertheless.
On mostly country roads near Ottawa, the Jetta delivered a comfortable ride that struck a good balance between comfort and performance.
Wind and tire noise wasn’t entirely absent, but was suitably suppressed. The front strut, rear multi-link suspension soaked up most of the road imperfections without causing too much of a ruckus inside the cabin.
While I’m not the biggest fan of the Jetta’s rather pedestrian, albeit handsome, exterior appearance, the car is attractive inside. Volkswagen has done an impressive job of delivering a spacious, comfortable cabin that isn’t littered with odd design cues and cheap trim materials.
While I wouldn’t describe it as exciting from a design perspective, I appreciate the straightforward layout of the controls and switches and the easy manner on operation.
From the seats to the dash to the centre console and other touch points, the pleasing tactile feel of the Jetta’s interior plastics and fabrics belie its relatively low cost of entry.
As mentioned, the Trendline+ model I drove comes with a few extra features over the base model, but still delivers plenty of value for money. Given our long and brutal winters, the heated seats alone make it a package worth considering.
If you have a smartphone, you should consider adding the connectivity package. For an extra $400, it offers full smartphone integration.
Without getting unduly technical, these systems basically make the phone a part of the car. Once it’s connected via a USB cable, it renders the phone inert as all of its functionality has been transferred to the car’s infotainment touchscreen.
I didn’t have much time to explore its capabilities, but Android Auto worked seamlessly with my Samsung Galaxy S6. My Google Maps app served as the car’s navigation screen, while other apps such as Spotify and Tune-In Radio delivered music options. The experience will differ by platform and phone, but it should help reduce driver distraction by allowing users to plug their phones in and leave them alone.
Many manufacturers are getting on board with these systems and Volkswagen is at the forefront. All of the company’s Canadian-market 2016 cars, with the exception of the Touareg, will offer these systems either as standard equipment or as an option.
The Jetta is an important car for Volkswagen in Canada and with a new engine and new technology on tap, it should remain a strong performer in the hyper-competitive compact sedan segment. Freelance writer Lee Bailie is a regular contributor to Toronto Star Wheels. Travel and other expenses for this story were paid by the manufacturer. For more Toronto Star automotive coverage, go to thestar.com/autos. To reach Wheels Editor Norris McDonald: nmcdonald@thestar.ca