2019 Volkswagen Jetta Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
byCalvin Kim
Vehicle Test Engineer
Calvin Kim is an automotive journalist at Edmunds.Pros
- Ride comfort is on par with luxury cars
- Lots of places inside the cabin to store your stuff
- Beats premium audio system is excellent
- Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
Cons
- Brakes feel grabby at low speeds
- Steering wheel controls take some getting used to
- Cabin feels more plasticky than others in the class
What's new
- Fully redesigned
- More in-car and safety tech
- New SEL Premium trim
- Part of the seventh Jetta generation introduced for 2019
Early Volkswagen Jettas placed a strong emphasis on driving precision and an upscale personality. More recently, VW gave the Jetta a more practical and comfort-oriented direction, but it came at the cost of refinement. It wasn't an approach we were particularly fond of. The redesigned 2019 Volkswagen Jetta continues the trend toward greater size and comfort, but this time around quality hasn't been so obviously sacrificed.
The new Jetta is slightly longer, wider and taller than the outgoing model, with a longer wheelbase and shorter overhangs. The exterior styling is more distinctive, with sharp character lines, a larger grille, and a much larger presence on the road. There's more room and comfort for front passengers, though the trunk is slightly smaller this time around.
The interior design is certainly more modern. The Jetta's lower trim levels come with a 6.5-inch infotainment screen with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The more expensive trim levels get a larger 8-inch screen plus VW's Digital Cockpit, which is a fully digital and customizable gauge cluster. Almost every Jetta comes with useful driver safety aids, including forward collision mitigation and blind-spot monitoring.
For power, the Jetta continues to come with a turbocharged 1.4-liter inline-four (147 horsepower) that is connected to either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. Acceleration is reasonably quick for the class, and the EPA estimates you'll get 34 mpg in combined city/highway driving, which is slightly better than last year. A sportier GLI variant is also available.
On the downside, interior quality still isn't all that great, and the car's grabby brake pedal makes it hard to stop smoothly. But given its improvements elsewhere, plus the smooth ride and roomy cabin, we think the Jetta is worth considering alongside other top models such as the Honda Civic, the Kia Forte and the Mazda 3.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
7.4 / 10With its new Jetta, VW is giving compact-sedan buyers precisely what they want: a larger and more comfortable interior, the latest in-car technology and high fuel economy. Some rival sedans offer stronger performance, but the Jetta's overall refinement and usability are impressive.
Trim tested
Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Volkswagen Jetta R-Line (turbo 1.4L inline-4 | 8-speed automatic | FWD).
Scorecard
| Overall | 7.4 / 10 |
| Driving | 7.0 |
| Comfort | 8.0 |
| Interior | 7.5 |
| Utility | 8.0 |
| Technology | 7.5 |
Driving
7.0The Jetta feels quick around town thanks to the solid torque output from the turbocharged engine. It also handles curves well, staying controlled and stable. But the numb steering and chassis and lack of top-end power make the Jetta less engaging than it could be. It's undeniably competent in typical driving, but it lacks the character of some competitors.
Comfort
8.0It's disappointing that only the highest trim gets adjustable lumbar because the lack of support is a real pea under an otherwise comfortable mattress. The Jetta has a good ride quality and suitable noise insulation, along with nicely cushioned seats. But your lower back will be left wanting.
Interior
7.5The Jetta's interior looks nice, but it's chock full of hard plastics that create some unfortunate pressure points for taller drivers. The highly adjustable driving position is a plus, but overall interior accommodations are only average. Strengths such as rear legroom balance out against weaknesses such as the front passenger's cramped footwell.
Utility
8.0The Jetta has plenty of room for your stuff. Small-item storage is copious, even if the Jetta doesn't offer as many organizational options as class leaders. The trunk is large and easy to load, and the folding rear seats will accommodate long items. There's also plenty of room for car seats.
Technology
7.5While you get some nice features such as smartphone integration standard, it's really in the higher trim levels that the Jetta's tech shines. Examples include the excellent upgraded stereo and flashy features such as the Digital Cockpit. Competitors give you some extras at lower trim levels, especially with driver aids.
Which Jetta does Edmunds recommend?
The 2019 Jetta R-Line could be the way to go. It adds a lot of desirable features to the base Jetta S such as simulated leather upholstery, heated seats, a sunroof and 17-inch wheels. We also like that the R-Line has a blacked-out front grille that's more visually appealing than the ungainly chrome piece.
2019 Volkswagen Jetta models
The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is a compact sedan that's available in five trims. The base S aims to undercut its competition with a lower price point without sacrificing features. The SE model adds more convenience features, while the R-Line has similar features but with different styling elements. The SEL and SEL Premium trims add enough tech to turn the Jetta into a mini luxury sedan.
Jump to:Related 2019 Jetta articles
2019 Volkswagen Jetta video
2019 Volkswagen Jetta First Look | Detroit Auto Show
The Volkswagen Jetta has been completely redesigned for the 2019 model year, with new, sharper looks, a new platform underneath and a redesigned interior. The new Jetta is also longer, wider and taller than the outgoing model, with a longer wheelbase and shorter overhangs, which means… a significant increase in interior volume. In the looks category it's certainly less subtle, with sharp character lines, a larger grille, and a much larger presence on the road.