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2019 Volkswagen Jetta

Price Range: $11,000 - $21,590

Volkswagen Jetta Reviews

Owner Reviews

5(55%)
4(17%)
3(7%)
2(6%)
1(15%)

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

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Great Basic Car
5 out of 5 stars
Bill, 09/19/2018
2019 Volkswagen Jetta 1.4T S 4dr Sedan (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
I was looking for a basic commuter car for 100 mile daily round trip to work. The new Jetta looks great, understated but with some character. It is very quiet and comfortable on the road. Acceleration and handling are adequate, but nice for a base model car. Averaging 39 mpg over the first 1,500 miles with a max of 47 mpg for a 50 mile trip to work. It's great being able to drive the 500 … miles a week for commuting to work on one tank of gas. Yeah, it's the first year of a major redesign, which is usually a non-starter, but the 6 yr, 72,000 warranty puts my mind somewhat at ease. UPDATE: After 2.5 years and almost 60,000 miles the Jetta has been a great car. Still averaging around 40 mpg. Everything has held up well - looks almost new and no mechanical issues. I've been very happy with the car.
Pleasantly suprised by this one
4 out of 5 stars
Bob Patterson, 11/20/2018
2019 Volkswagen Jetta 1.4T R-Line 4dr Sedan (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
I've been car hunting, planning to buy a small sedan when my current lease is up. I've had an opportunity to spend a few days with a 2019 Jetta R-line, and I am really surprised by how much I like it. Not that I expected it to be a bad car, but I was cross-shopping against the Mazda, Subaru, Hondas, and some higher level brands like Audi and Acura. Frankly, the Jetta provides the best … bang-for-the-buck compared to the others I have tested. The interior layout is excellent, with a dashboard that puts everything exactly where you want it. Handling and stability is as good as it gets at this price point, although I think the 17" wheels are a must for this. The engine is suprisingly punchy, with plenty of jump for passing on the highway. It's also got a great selection of tech & features (Apple Carplay, drivers assist features, sun roof, LED headlights with side-turning assist, etc.) for a car in this class. The steering is tad mushy, but still responsive. It's not going to compete with the luxury cars on finishing details, but it's a great alternative at a reasonable price.
great commuter
5 out of 5 stars
Bernie, 09/09/2019
2019 Volkswagen Jetta 1.4T S 4dr Sedan (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
A few things first - I drive 110 miles daily through the hills of NW NJ/NE PA. The drive is ok in the morning (I leave before the rooster crows) and sucks on the way home. I am not looking for a "driving experience", just to retain what little left of my sanity remains. I tried several cars in the price range, with the Mazda 3 coming the closest (and was quite a bit more $), but … didn't like the high beltline, the handling was a little stiffer, and the mileage wasn't as good. The Jetta has great visibility, the base seat works very well for me (supportive yet comfortable for a short, fairly lean guy), handling is good enough, and while not a sports sedan, I can easily merge or pass trucks on the hills. The truly magical part is I can get 44 mpg doing 80 mph through the hills in the morning. I cut my trips to the gas station in half, and I don't drive to optimize fuel consumption. Due to the stop and go nature of my return trip, only get about 37 mpg on the way home. The trunk is also cavernous - more than once I have loaded 8' pipe into the car (with the back seats down), and had no issues. Overall, I'm thrilled with the vehicle, but there are a few downsides: - The base tires are only ok in rain, and quite poor in snow. You'll need snow tires if in the snow belt. The price you pay for great gas mileage. - For some reason, at the slightest hint of humidity, the front windshield fogs. My defroster is almost always on. - It is a pretty bland looking car, especially compared to the Golf, Passat, or any of the Audis (I'm indifferent to the appearance, but tend to go to the wrong car when in parking lots, which wouldn't happen to any of the others - probably should not have bought white). - No one carries the specified oil, except VW dealers, and the dealer isn't conveniently located. This is the only "con" that truly bothers me. - When driving in eco mode, early shifts at too low revs, and the trans sounds a little rough. Less so when taking out of eco mode, only impacts the highway mileage by 1 mpg. - VW reliability scares me a bit. Fingers crossed that I can get 200k without a major issue. If you just want to get through a commute in a comfortable, quick, fairly agile, quiet car while stopping at the gas station as infrequently as possible (or about every 550 miles for me), this is a great choice. 1 year update: I'm now at 40k miles after a bit over a year. I've had 1 minor oil leak (fixed under warranty), and the tires are about shot (surprised me a little, as I typically get 60k+ out of tires with mostly highway driving). I feel exactly the same on the car. I'm getting a touch over 39 mpg with spirited highway driving, experiencing no odd noises or decreased performance. The seat is still firm and comfortable, and the car has required no major work. This is still the perfect commuter car for me (roomy, comfortable, handles well, decent acceleration, great fuel economy). If you are looking at a Corolla, Civic, or Elantra, throw the Jetta in your search. You may be quite pleasantly surprised. Update 27Mar2021 With almost 80k miles on the car, it hasn't changed much. The seats are still firmly comfortable, I still get almost 40 mpg in mostly highway driving, no odd squeaks,... I replaced the stock tires with General Altimax, and do much better in the snow. The tradeoff in mileage (about 1 mpg worse) equalled out due the lack of traffic (still much lower than pre-Covid levels). I've had nothing besides routine maintenance (except when I knocked off the mirror casing when backing out of the garage). Routine service costs a bit more than most American or Japanese cars, but not by much (although this year I have to get the brake fluid flushed, not sure what that goes for). Overall, still pleasantly surprised, and if I had to buy another car today, a Jetta would still be in serious consideration. Update 29Sept22 - At 130k, only standard maintenance, another set of tires and alignment (another Altimax, got 70k out of the previous with good wet weather performance, decent in the snow). No noticeable change in performance or odd rattles, still comfortable on long trips. Mileage is down to about 38.5 mpg (from just over 40), but due to increased traffic post covid. My only complaint is the driver's side sun visor clip broke, Volkswagen doesn't sell it separately (that I can find), and they want $370 for the assembly. Will get creative this weekend. After 3-1/2 years, still very happy with the vehicle. Maybe I'm just lucky, but if looking for a compact commuter, I suggest adding the Jetta to your test drive list. 29Sep2025: My commute was significantly reduced in 2022. With 6 years on the Jetta, I have 186k miles. It’s more local driving, so getting about 32mpg. There are a few more noises in the suspension, but no major issues. Handling and performance haven’t noticeably changed. Besides routine maintenance, no mechanical issues. Overall, very happy with the vehicle.
Fantastic car but serious ding for weak A/C
3 out of 5 stars
trutell, 07/16/2019
2019 Volkswagen Jetta 1.4T S 4dr Sedan (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
Went for a test drive today and the car is superior in most every way especially for the price. Have been comparing the Honda models which are also quite good. But at 85 degrees, the A/C couldn't cut it for the front seat occupants let alone the guy in the back seat. If you get hot weather in the summer you will not be happy with the results. We also tried the Golf for comparison's sake. … A/C was also a dog. You would think VW would get the message after decades of experience with the bug which never could supply enough heat. Now we have the opposite. People actually care about climate performance. Dealer's excuse was they had to shrink compressor/evaporator capacity to preserve top mileage.

2019 Volkswagen Jetta video

2019 Volkswagen Jetta First Look | Detroit Auto Show

Safety

Our experts’ favorite Jetta safety features:

Blind-Spot Warning System
Alerts you with visual and audible warnings if other vehicles are in your blind spot.
Post-Collision Braking System
Applies the brakes once the airbags go off to reduce the possibility of further damage during an accident.
Forward Collision Warning
Sounds an alert when a front collision is likely, and primes and applies the brakes if necessary.

NHTSA Overall Rating 5 out of 5 stars

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash RatingRating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash RatingRating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier RatingRating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsRating
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
RolloverRating
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover13.1%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Acceptable
Roof Strength TestNot Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested



FAQ

Is the Volkswagen Jetta a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2019 Jetta both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.4 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2019 Jetta gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 107 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Jetta has 14.1 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Volkswagen Jetta. Learn more

What's new in the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta:

  • Fully redesigned
  • More in-car and safety tech
  • New SEL Premium trim
  • Part of the seventh Jetta generation introduced for 2019
Learn more

Is the Volkswagen Jetta reliable?

To determine whether the Volkswagen Jetta is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Jetta. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Jetta's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2019 Jetta and gave it a 7.4 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2019 Jetta gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 107 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2019 Jetta is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta?

The least-expensive 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta 1.4T S 4dr Sedan (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $18,745.

Other versions include:

  • 1.4T S 4dr Sedan (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M) which starts at $18,745
  • 1.4T S ULEV 4dr Sedan (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $19,545
  • 1.4T S 4dr Sedan (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $19,545
  • 1.4T SE 4dr Sedan (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $22,395
  • 1.4T SE ULEV 4dr Sedan (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $22,395
  • 1.4T R-Line 4dr Sedan (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $23,245
  • 1.4T R-Line ULEV 4dr Sedan (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $23,245
  • 1.4T SEL 4dr Sedan (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $24,695
  • 1.4T SEL ULEV 4dr Sedan (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $24,695
  • 1.4T SEL Premium 4dr Sedan (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $27,195
  • 1.4T SEL Premium w/CWP 4dr Sedan (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $27,695
  • 1.4T SEL Premium w/CWP ULEV 4dr Sedan (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $27,695
Learn more

What are the different models of Volkswagen Jetta?

If you're interested in the Volkswagen Jetta, the next question is, which Jetta model is right for you? Jetta variants include 1.4T S 4dr Sedan (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M), 1.4T S ULEV 4dr Sedan (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A), 1.4T S 4dr Sedan (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A), and 1.4T SE 4dr Sedan (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A). For a full list of Jetta models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Iowa
$154/mo  for Jetta 1.4T S
vs
$234/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
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