2019 Volkswagen Jetta Review

Name: 2019 Volkswagen Jetta Review
Brand: Volkswagen
Price: 11298 USD

2019 Volkswagen Jetta 1.4T R-Line Sedan Exterior

2019 Volkswagen Jetta 1.4T SEL Premium Sedan Exterior

+105

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Volkswagen Jetta model years

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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.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta 1.4T S 4dr Sedan (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.52 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$128/mo

$181/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

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 / 10

With 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

7.0

The 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.

Acceleration

7.5

The pint-sized turbo engine makes more torque than you'd perhaps think. The Jetta feels punchy at low rpm and accelerates eagerly from a stop. Push it to red line, however, and the engine runs out of thrust. The lack of power is telling in 0-60 mph acceleration — the Jetta's 8.4-second sprint is middling for the segment.

Braking

6.5

The brake pedal feels soft, and the response isn't linear. At low speeds, the brakes can feel grabby. Our as-tested 60-0 mph braking distance of 124 feet is on par for the segment.

Steering

6.5

The steering is light and rubbery, and there's no feedback from the road. It's basically impossible to tell what the front wheels are doing. The Jetta does have excellent on-center feel, which makes it a nice freeway cruiser.

Handling

7.5

Body roll is surprisingly well controlled, and the car is stable through turns. Unfortunately, the chassis isn't very communicative — coupled with the numb steering, the handling comes off competent but not engaging. It's a shame considering there's real potential for sportiness baked in.

Drivability

7.5

The transmission is smooth, but shifts are a bit slurred, making them more noticeable. The Jetta is eager to upshift. This characteristic, combined with the low horsepower output from the engine, results in frequent downshifts, which can make for jerky responsiveness in low-speed traffic.

Comfort

8.0

It'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.

Seat comfort

7.0

The seat cushions are just soft enough, and they provide enough bolstering for the car's character. The headrests aren't positioned aggressively forward, and they are likewise pleasantly soft. Unfortunately, there's no lumbar adjustment and no real support, which becomes noticeable quickly.

Ride comfort

9.0

The Jetta's ride takes the edge off square bumps and absorbs larger impacts. It can feel a little bouncy over large bumps, but overall the ride quality feels premium for the class. It's one of the car's strong points for sure.

Noise & vibration

8.0

The Jetta manages cabin noise impressively around town, another one of its strengths. At freeway speeds, wind noise becomes noticeable, but overall noise levels remain relatively low for the class.

Climate control

7.5

The straightforward physical controls are clearly labeled. Some of the buttons are a bit small and close together, but overall the system is easy to use and manages temperatures well. Seat heating is effective, if a bit localized toward the back of the seat. Ventilated seats are available.

Interior

7.5

The 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.

Ease of use

6.5

On lower trims, the handful of controls are generally easy to find and use. The exception is that the driver information display controls are needlessly complicated, making the steering-wheel-mounted controls less optimal than some competitors. We do appreciate the large physical buttons for navigating infotainment functions.

Getting in/getting out

8.5

Entry and exit are easy overall, with wide door openings and good clearance. The rear doors are relatively short so they can be opened wide even in tighter spaces. The one weakness is the long stepover due to the wide doorsills and rocker panels.

Driving position

9.0

The Jetta offers an optimal driving position. It provides lots of adjustability thanks to easy seat height adjust and a steering wheel with generous telescoping range. The armrests are a little low, but otherwise most drivers should be able to find a position that accommodates them.

Roominess

7.5

The driver's seat has plenty of available space, but the center console and transmission eat into the passenger footwell quite a bit. Rear-seat legroom and toe room are very good, but rear headroom isn't anything special. Average-height adults will fit fine.

Visibility

7.5

Overall the Jetta has useful sightlines, with a clear forward view and a reasonable rear view. Windows in the rear pillars help with the over-the-shoulder view. The smallish side mirrors could provide a wider field of view, but blind-spot monitoring helps.

Quality

7.0

The Jetta's interior looks nice, and a few surfaces have soft-touch coverings, but there is a lot of hard, lightweight plastic. Taller drivers especially will notice their knees pressing against hard points.

Utility

8.0

The 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.

Small-item storage

8.0

The door pockets on all four doors are quite large, and there's a good-sized tray in front of the shifter. The cupholders will accommodate larger containers. The console box under the center armrest isn't as big as some others, and some competitors have more options to organize your small items, but there's plenty of room around the Jetta's cabin for your stuff.

Cargo space

7.5

By the numbers, the Jetta's 14.1-cubic-foot trunk falls in the middle of the pack. But in practice it's sufficiently accommodating thanks to a large, flat load floor and generous trunk opening. The trunklid has a tendency to fall closed if it's not opened securely all the way. The folding seats create a nice, wide pass-through.

Child safety seat accommodation

9.0

The LATCH anchors are clearly marked and easily accessible thanks to plastic sleeves. The good backseat space means even large car seats will fit and still leave room for average-size adults in the front seats.

Technology

7.5

While 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.

Audio & navigation

7.5

The sound quality is muddy and subpar with the base stereo. Thankfully, the upgraded Beats unit is one of the best in the class. Cars equipped with nav have a lot of display options thanks to the crisp gauge-cluster screen on higher trim levels. Graphics are clean but basic.

Smartphone integration

8.5

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard across the range, and the base infotainment system defaults to using your smartphone's voice assistant even over Bluetooth. Unfortunately, smartphone nav can't be displayed on higher trim levels' Digital Cockpit screens.

Driver aids

7.0

VW's blind-spot monitoring and collision alert work well, and we didn't have issues with false positives. Automatic braking intervention doesn't immediately slam on the brakes, transitioning in and giving you more time to react. Adaptive cruise is standard equipment on some competitors, but it's only featured on the higher Jetta trims.

Voice control

6.0

The base stereo has no native voice controls. On higher trim levels, we find VW's voice controls a bit finicky. You'll have to learn the system's specific phrasing to access various commands.

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.

All are powered by a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The base S comes with a six-speed manual transmission as standard, with an eight-speed automatic optional. The eight-speed auto is standard on the remaining trims.

Highlights for the Jetta S include 16-inch alloy wheels, LED head- and taillights, air conditioning, a 6.5-inch touchscreen-based infotainment system, a rearview camera, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, a USB port, Bluetooth and a four-speaker sound system.

An optional Driver Assistance package adds forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

The Jetta SE has those features as standard plus a sunroof, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, simulated leather upholstery, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and keyless entry with push-button start.

If you want a slightly different look, opt for the Jetta R-Line. It has similar equipment to the SE, but it rides on 17-inch alloy wheels and replaces the chrome grille and mirror caps with gloss-black pieces. A unique rear bumper finishes the look. On the inside, contrasting stitching on the steering wheel and R-Line badges remind you of your purchase. To help improve the Jetta's traction when powering out of turns aggressively, VW's XDS, an electronic differential lock, is standard on the R-Line only.

With the Jetta SEL, buyers get a taste of luxury-car life thanks to high-end features such as adaptive cruise control, an eight-speaker BeatsAudio sound system, an upgraded infotainment system with an 8-inch display, satellite and HD radio, a fully digital gauge cluster (Digital Cockpit) and an extra USB port. Other safety items such as lane keeping assist, auto high-beam control, automatic wipers, and auto-dimming rearview mirror are standard as well. Oddly, the SEL drops back down to 16-inch alloy wheels, though you do get a 10-color adjustable ambient lighting system.

A Cold Weather package is available on SE, R-Line and SEL trims. It includes a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, a heated windshield wiper park zone, heated windshield washer nozzles, and remote start.

The SEL Premium is the icing on the cake for the Jetta line. It has the features from the Cold Weather package plus 17-inch wheels, leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver's seat with memory settings, and a navigation system.

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Above Average

#25 out of 46 among Compact Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Volkswagen Jetta from 2008-2022.}

$443/yr

vs. $416/yr
for Average Compact Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.15x/yr

vs. 1.01x/yr
for Average Compact Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

9.8%

vs. 10.4%
for Average Compact Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2019 Volkswagen Jetta.

5 (55%)

4 (15%)

3 (9%)

2 (6%)

1 (15%)

3.9

105 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Great Basic Car

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 …

Pleasantly suprised by this one

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 …

Improvements are in order!

Zvi Arie, 03/23/2019

2019 Volkswagen Jetta 1.4T SEL Premium 4dr Sedan (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

This car drives very nicely. Engine is peppy and transmission shifts smoothly the most of the time. Sometimes downshifts are noticeable. Suspension is on the soft side and provides comfortable ride. All the technical features in this car command an applause. Heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats are awesome. Digital instrument cluster and …

Things to Love and Hate

Alexander, 01/07/2019

2019 Volkswagen Jetta 1.4T SE 4dr Sedan (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

One Month Review... We decided to get the newest Jetta fresh off the lot after we spent months after months test driving other brands. We decided to go with the new Jetta for many reasons. One reason was due to the all the upgrades you get for the money. Second reason was the new infotainment which offered Android Auto and Samsung Mirriorlink, other manufacturers only offered Iphone … car-play. Third reason we decided to go with VW was the new 72000/6 yr warranty. Fourth reason is because we love the VW/AUDI conservative designs inside and out. Fifth and final reason is because it was the only 4 cyl car with a turbo, a turbo should be a requirement for all 4 cyl engines. My complaints are the following: I wanted the manual transmission however, the manual transmission only came in the S model and it didn't offer leatherette, heated seats, heated steering wheel nor dual climate. I was then going to choose the SEL, well the SEL didn't offered power seats for some reason, the only difference i found was the SEL had the full display on the gauge cluster and the infotainment was 8 inch instead of 6.5 inch oh yeah it also offered the ambient lightning. We checked the R line as well it didn’t fit our lifestyle. The only one we found to have everything we wanted was the SE with cold weather package. I would have loved the full display but i will wait 3 years to see what else VW brings to the table. I initially had a problem with the remote start which wouldn't work for some reason it’s ok now but that was very annoying at first. The basic sound system really sucks unless you upgrade to a higher quality which to be honest i don’t really know what they offer as an upgraded speaker system. My minivan and my 2008 Ram truck have a better sound than the 2019 Jetta. Listening to music on my new Jetta is like listening to music from a 3.5 inch speaker it painful and a bit embarrassing. While listening to music using USB Android auto the right front speaker rattles at low volume. I haven't even listened to music at a high volume because they are terrible. I feel that VW should offer a recall on the speakers and upgrade them for free. It is a good thing we leased the vehicle instead of buying. I will keep updating my review as the months go by. Should you get a VW Jetta i say yes, if you like a conservative style and a simple elegant interior, leatherette rather than cloth, and are looking for a quick 4 cyl turbo engine for the best MSRP and warranty then the VW brand is the way to go.

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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…

2019 Jetta Highlights

Trim:

1.4T S

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$18,745
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	34 MPG
Cost to Drive	$128/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	14.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	6 years / 72,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Jetta models:

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

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
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 Test
Not Tested
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Acceptable
Roof Strength Test
Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Not Tested

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