For many years the Jetta has led the way for Volkswagen as its poster for success and popularity. The Jetta comes in a wide variety of choices making it one of the most easily fitting vehicles for just about any owner. Because of this range of choices the Jetta has taken on a lot of different competition including the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla as well as the Ford Focus, Dodge Dart and Mazda3. This variety of competition allows us to see just how transformational the Jetta can be. With a car that fits many lifestyles and offers exactly what owners’ desire there really isn’t any wonder left to see why the Jetta has been the best-selling Volkswagen for so long.
For owners who would enjoy an attractive car, (all of us), and one that offers an economical price and fuel efficiency (once again all of us) the Jetta comes in as one of the best choices on the market today. With a huge amount of attention to detail, exceptional handling and the choice of a diesel engine the Jetta certainly is worth a look for any shopper. For 2015 the Jetta gains new front and rear styling features, an upgraded interior and new optional features including blind spot warnings, front collision warnings, rear cross traffic alters, bi-xenon headlights and Adaptive Front lighting. The TDI engine has also been improved for the 2015 model year.
Many have bought a Jetta and those who have seem to consistently compliment the amazing driving experience which comes from the power under the hood paired with the control they feel. This control is a direct result of the exceptional suspension and steering systems aboard that help keep this car well planted even at high rates of acceleration. Add the well-mannered brakes and this car will enjoy a ride along any road, especially one that allows it to stretch its muscles and challenge its abilities.
The first of the five engines offered for the Jetta is the 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder model found only in the Jetta S. This engine is a bit underwhelming, but will do the trick for those who can only afford the base model as it offers 115 horsepower and 125 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine can be attached to a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission and shows up with fuel efficiency numbers of 25 city/34 hwy mpg for the manual and 23 city/34 hwy mpg for the automatic.
The second engine is the 1.8-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine found in the SE, SEL and Sport models. This engine offers a bit more power at 170 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. The transmissions are the same as the base engine and offer a fuel efficiency of 25 city/37 hwy mpg.
Third in the lineup is the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine offered on the GLI only. This engine brings in 210 horsepower and 207 lb.-ft. of torque to enjoy the most powerful engine in the lineup. This power plant is attached to either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission and offers fuel efficiency numbers of 23 city/33 hwy mpg for the manual and 24 city/32 hwy mpg for the automatic.
The fourth engine is the 2.0-liter turbodiesel inline four-cylinder engine of the TDI model. This engine shows up with 150 horsepower and 236 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine employs the same transmissions as the GLI model and gives fuel efficiency results of 31 city/46 hwy mpg for the manual and 31 city/45 hwy mpg for the automatic.
Finally, the hybrid engine is a 1.4-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder plus and electric motor in the Hybrid giving off 170 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine is connected to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and gives a fantastic fuel efficiency of 42 city/48 hwy mpg. Some models do require premium fuel to operate efficiently, but this can be a small tradeoff for the efficiency enjoyed.
The Jetta prowls the compact car segment like a bully offering exceptional interior space for the five-passenger configuration. There is a fantastic amount of cargo space coming in at 15.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat which folds down to give even more cargo space. The interior control center offers a minimalistic look with a smart dash and not overdone control features, but the ones needed and desired are certainly in place to fully enjoy.
On the outside the Jetta has been an attractive and sought after sedan for many years. With a fairly plain, but enjoyable look a large crowd of followers has enjoyed their time in Jettas for many years bringing about plenty of repeat customers over the course of the car’s life. The clean lines and no-nonsense approach gives it a look that means business and allows an easy return on investment when it’s time for a new Jetta.
The Jetta offers a great deal of models to choose from with a wide range of standard features. Starting at the S model and the features include air conditioning, power windows/door/mirrors, keyless entry, 15-inch steel wheels, Bluetooth connectivity and an audio system that includes auxiliary inputs. The SE model adds a better engine, cruise control, Leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, push button starting, heater washer nozzles and a six-speaker sound system with an iPod adapter. The SEL adds a navigation system, a power driver’s seat, a Fender premium audio system, automatic climate control and keyless entry and starting. For all models two years/24,000 miles of complimentary maintenance is included allowing the Jetta to be well-maintained.
The optional features offered on the Jetta come when climbing trim levels. This list includes a sunroof, a navigation system, Volkswagen’s Car Net connectivity service, push button starting, a touch screen radio, a power driver’s seat and a rearview camera. The top of the line GLI and Hybrid models offer the addition of bi-xenon headlights, automatic climate control and the Fender premium audio system to the mix. For 2015 the Driver Assistance System has been added as an option which includes blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alerts, forward collision warnings, and park distance control.
The starting price range for the Jetta comes in from $18,000 to $30,000. The Hybrid model shows up fully loaded at $32,500 while the TDI starts around $22,500. This simple but effective price range allows just about any driver to be able to afford to own a Jetta which has become well-known for driving enjoyment and having what owners are looking for.
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