First Impressions

The all-new 2019 Volkswagen Jetta marks a big step forward for one of VW’s best sellers. 17-and-a-half-million have been sold worldwide since 1979. 

The 7-th gen Jetta goes even further to shake off the boxy “Golf with a trunk” reputation. The modular yet stiffer MQB architecture gets a lot of the credit. The Jetta is longer, wider and taller, allowing designers to create a sleek coupish profile. The front fascia… while clearly VW… reflects future aspirations as well. 

Engineers added more gears… one more makes for a standard 6-speed manual. Two more for the 8-speed automatic… that handles its duties with ease and seems well matched with the 1.4-liter turbocharged in-line four producing 147-horsepower. The low end torque is very pleasing as we pushed the pedal hard during our drive in North Carolina. 

Inside is Jetta’s biggest departure from the past. Far less conservative and far more driver centric with the center console biased towards the one behind the wheel. Yet for all these upgrades, a torsion beam returns to the rear… with coil springs and telescopic dampers. We’ve seen that before and on any other car but a VW it would be a turnoff.  

The challenge for VW is creating a Jetta comfortable enough for Americans… without leaving the European driving dynamics behind. Our first impression is they’ve done just that. The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta goes on sale this Spring starting under $19,000.