2018 NAIAS: 2019 Volkswagen Jetta
In its continued efforts to reinvent itself after diesel-gate, VW brings us a fully redesigned Jetta. Once simply a VW Golf with a tacked on trunk, the Jetta has continued to distance itself from its hatchback brother. The new Jetta looks significantly different than the outgoing car, adopting a 6-window greenhouse, wide grille, and clam-shell shaped hood faintly reminiscent of the original Beetle. While this is the 7th generation Jetta, the 6th generation that bowed for the 2011 model year was met with criticism that the VW-ness was gone. The interior was panned for being low grade without even the availability of genuine leather while the rear suspension lost its multi-link setup on the base car. This 7th generation appears to partly be a return to form, with a full array of eight interior colors and combinations, a personalized gauge cluster, and gimmicky ambient lighting. A manual transmission remains available, though only on the base trim level. The torsion beam rear suspension returns, however, after having been eliminated later in the 6th generation’s product cycle. Power is derived from a 1.4L turbo with an underwhelming 147 hp but respectable 184 lb.-ft. of torque. With the car being 1.3 inches longer than the outgoing model, we expect that powertrain to be very mild mannered. In a market obsessed with crossovers it will be interesting to see if this nearly mid-size sedan will help bolster VW’s sales.
