The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta has come a long way since its more plain design days of the past. Now the 2019 Jetta is fully redesigned, being longer, wider and taller and is built on the same platform as the Audi A3 and Q3. It shares many of the same components and parts but for the more economical VW price tag. While the new Jetta still adheres to Volkswagen’s conservative design principles, it still has enough oomph on the design side to make a noticeable impression.
REFINED EXTERIOR
The redesigned exterior of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta has a bolder appearance than past designs, but overall is still an understated look when put up against other comparables in the market. Rather than chrome, the 2019 Jetta uses black highlights to emphasize certain features like the side mirrors, grille, windows and roof. New for 2019 are LEDs for all exterior lights which helps bring a modern look for night time driving.
The front end sports a large and wide grille with some hood accent lines, while the side view has a sharp full length accent line running the through the handles. The rear end is perhaps the most refined with a pleasing overall shape, smooth lines and dual chrome exhaust. All in all an elegant exterior look, in keeping with the VW design language to keep the appearance timeless throughout the years.
POLISHED INTERIOR
The interior of the 2019 VW Jetta sees a great redesign using sharp lines, well placed controls and a driver-focused layout. The surprisingly spacious interior is coupled with an enormous trunk space, which is all quite impressive considering the 2019 Jetta is categorized as a compact sedan!
The spacious interior presents rear passengers with ample leg and head room, while the trunk will satisfy almost any cargo needs – especially with the folding rear seats to accommodate the larger sized items. The ergonomic seats are also quite comfortable, especially for longer distances. Great support in all the keys areas and plush padding to make your body feel comfortable yet supported.
The simple dash inside the 2019 Jetta is appealing to the eyes and not distracting at all compared with other embellished and multi-tiered dashes in competitor cars. A 10.3 inch digital, configurable screen shows the instrument cluster and gauges on certain higher end models, while the standard manual gauges adorn the lower level models. An 8 inch touchscreen infotainment screen is outfitted in the middle of the dash and is slightly angled towards the driver. The beautiful interior ambient lighting is pleasant at night and highlights all the right areas.
All in all, the 2019 VW Jetta has a pleasing interior that is simple yet elegant and completely ergonomic and driver focused. Great materials put together in a neat and tidy package make for one of the best Jetta interiors so far!
PERFORMANCE AND DRIVE
Like previous years, the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is powered by a 1.4L turbocharged engine that outputs 147hp, which is more than enough for most daily driving but starts to feel sluggish under higher loads and higher speeds. New for 2019 is the 8 speed automatic transmission which replaces the previous year’s 6 speed auto. A 6 speed manual transmission is still available across all models as well. If you’re looking for a more performance-oriented Jetta then go for the bigger engine in the Jetta GLI.
The 2019 Jetta delivers a comfortable ride that’s on par with many luxury vehicles thanks to the low speed power from the turbocharged engine, the comfortable seats and minimal road and engine noise inside the cabin. The pleasurable driving experience provides precise steering with great feedback and some all around confident handling. Use the drive mode selection for an ECO, Sport, Normal or Custom driving experience, which toggles the suspension, throttle and steering to the preferences of the driving mode.
All in all the 2019 Jetta is a pleasure to drive with the perfect balance of comfort and fun. Since city driving usually is the majority of time spent behind the wheel, the turbo charged engine is the ideal choice. Plenty of power at lower speeds all coming from a small yet efficient 1.4L turbocharged engine. This setup also lets you take advantage of some impressive fuel economy. The 2019 VW Jetta achieves a 5.9L/100km fuel economy in the city and 7.9 L/100km on the highway!
FINAL THOUGHTS
With a starting price tag of $20,995, the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta delivers a lot of value. This driver-focused car will please you from the moment you step inside the cabin. A driving experience that rivals luxury brands and a quality interior build all come together to create a great little compact sedan!
