2020 Volkswagen Jetta

Cars like the Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Cruze and the Honda Civic have long dominated this Segment. Volkswagen wants to grab a slice of the same pie with its all-new 7^th Generation Jetta.

Starting at $18,545, the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta has quite a lot to offer. It gets a 1.4L Turbocharged Gasoline Motor that belts out 147Hp and 184lbs-ft of Torque. The Jetta is also one of the few cars in the segment that comes with the option of a Slick Manual Transmission as well. 5 Trims are on offer namely the S, SE, R-Line, SEL and SEL Premium which goes up over $27,000.

Starting at just $18,545 for the base S Variant, the 2020 Jetta is available in a total of 5 trims namely the S, SE, R-Line, SEL and the top of the Line SEL Premium. The Base variant comes with some great standard features like Powered Side Mirrors, Automatic LED Headlights with LED DRL’s, LED Tail Lights and more.

Trim	S(Manual)	SE	R-Line	SEL	SEL Premium
MSRP	$18,545(est.)	$22,155(est.)	$22,995(est.)	$24,415(est.)	$26,945(est.)
Key Features	· Power Operated Side Mirrors	· Adds to the Features from the ‘S’ Trim	Adds/Upgrades features from ‘SE’	Adds/Upgrades features from ‘R-Line’	Adds/Upgrades features from ‘SEL’
	Automatic LED Headlights with LED DRL	Leather wrapped steering and Seats	Black Grill Accents, Side Mirrors, Rear Sport Valance	Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers	Side Mirrors with Memory Function
	LED Tail Lights	Start Stop System	Black Headliner	VW Digital Cockpit	VW Car Net Security
	16” Rama Alloy Wheels	Keyless Access with Push Button Start	17” Trenton Alloy Wheels	Adaptive Cruise Control	17” Tornado Metallic Alloy Wheels
	Cruise Control	Dual Zone Climate Control	XDS Cross Differential	Drive Mode Selector	Sport Bolstered Comfort Seats
	Multi-Function Steering wheel	Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Traffic Alert	Fog Lamps with low speed Corner Illumination Feature	Auto Dimming inside Rear View Mirror	Front Seats with adjustable lumbar support
	6 Way Manually Adjustable Driver’s Seat	Heated Front Seats	Center Arm Rest on the Rear Seats	Sirius XM Radio with 3 Months Subscription	6 way power adjust driver seat with Memory
	VW Car Net App Connect	Power Sliding Panoramic Sunroof	R-Line Badging on Front Grill	High Beam Assist	Front Collision Warning
	60/40 split folding Rear Seat			1 Front USB and 1 USB Charging port	Ventilated Front Seats
	USB Port with Bluetooth for Audio Streaming			10 Color Customizable Interior Lighting
	6.5” Touchscreen Infotainment System with Rear View Camera			8” Touchscreen System with Voice Control and Proximity Sensor
	6 Airbags			Beats Audio System
	ABS with EBD, ESC and Tire Pressure Monitor			Lane-Keeping System

We Recommend

At roughly $18,500, the base S trim is a good buy for people who are tight on budget. We, however, would suggest the SE trim for the added safety and convenience features on offer. Young buyers will, however, lean towards the R-Line which adds a “Dark” theme to the Jetta at an extra of just $800.

Throttle response is excellent, with almost no lag, as the turbo four is tuned for low-end grunt. Its 184 lb-ft of peak torque comes at just 1400 rpm, making the Jetta seem like a much more powerful car, an illusion it can maintain right up until encountering a freeway on-ramp –Caranddriver.com

The engine in the VW Jetta is one of the most “Lively” in the class. Response from the Turbocharged 1.4L 147hp engine is crisp and precise and is probably one of the best in class. The massive 184lbs-ft of Torque also adds to the driving experience and makes the Engine feel at ease, most of the times.

The 2020 Volkswagen Jetta gains more Horsepower than its previous generation and also improves on overall efficiency. One of the best bits about the Engine is the fact that it can run on regular unleaded gasoline, unlike its competitors that run only on premium fuel.

Models	Volkswagen Jetta S Sedan	Toyota Corolla L Sedan	Honda Civic LX Sedan	Mazda 3 Sport Sedan	Hyundai Elantra Sedan SE	Chevrolet Cruze Sedan LS
MSRP	$20,240	$19,620	$21,145	$20,035	$18,985	$20,400
Engine	1.4L Turbo Inline 4	1.8 L inline-four	2.0 L inline-four	2.0 L inline-four	2.0 L inline-four	1.4L Turbo Inline 4
Transmission	8 Speed Automatic	CVT	CVT	6-speed Auto	6-speed Automatic	6 Speed Automatic
Horsepower	147hp@5000rpm	132hp @ 6000 rpm	158hp @ 6500 rpm	155hp @ 6000 rpm	147hp @ 6200 rpm	153hp@5600rpm
Torque	184lbs-ft@1400rpm	128 lb-ft@4400	138 lb.-ft @ 4200 rpm	150 lb.-ft. @4000 rpm	132 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm	177lbs-ft@2000-4000

The Turbocharged Motor in the VW delivers the Maximum Torque in this comparison and the 8-speed Automatic Transmission, adds to the European Driving Experience that the VW is known for.

There is a Manual Transmission on offer in the VW as well in the base variant for people, who want a more Connected Driving Experience with the Jetta. The Transmission, in general, is pretty decent on shifts and usually shifts at around 4,000rpm. The Manual is redlined at 6,400rpm while the Automatic Variant redlines at around 6,000rpm.

Acceleration

Given the Turbocharged Motor inside the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta, the acceleration timings of the Jetta ranks among the best in class. With the German refinement and Power in hand, the Jetta turns out to be a good daily driver and making overtaking maneuvers when in the right gear.

Models	Volkswagen Jetta	Toyota Corolla Sedan	Honda Civic Sedan	Mazda 3 Sedan	Hyundai Elantra Sedan	Chevrolet Cruze Sedan
0-60 MPH(sec)	7.7	9.4	8.2	8.0	8.3	7.7
Quarter mile(sec)	16.0	17.2	16.3	16.2	16.4	16.3
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	5.2	9.8	8.4	11.2	10.2	5.6
Curb Weight (lbs.)	2959	2840	2742	2899	2767	2870

The Turbocharger in the Jetta also gives it an advantage in terms of the Emissions as the Exhaust gases are well utilized by the Turbo, to generate less polluting exhaust gases.

Ride and Handling

Prospective customers, looking to buy a Jetta would expect a Typical European ride out of the Jetta. Well, in reality though the Jetta isn’t on the same levels.

The Suspension setup on the Jetta is less sophisticated than what the rivals have to offer. The Jetta tends to bounce over speed humps more than you would expect it to. The Ride isn’t unsettling in any way but it’s just that the German Flair that one expects from the Jetta is lacking.

The MQB platform though has significantly changed the Way the Jetta handles. The handling is tilted towards the Sportier side and the Low profile Tires add to the drama of driving the Jetta. The Steering is Lightweight and is quick to respond to inputs.

Braking

One of the big letdowns in the 7^th Generation Jetta has to be its brakes. The Brakes in the Jetta are the biggest in this comparison but the weight of the Jetta seems to be a hindrance in the braking performance of the Jetta.

Models	Volkswagen Jetta Sedan	Toyota Corolla Sedan	Honda Civic Sedan	Mazda 3 Sedan	Hyundai Elantra Sedan	Chevrolet Cruze Sedan
Brake Front (in.)	11.5	10.8	10.2	10.7	10.3	10.8
Brake Rear (in.)	10.8	9.1	9.8	9.5	9.7	10.4
70-0 MPH (ft.)	191	183	180	179	182	110(60-0MPH)

The Jetta takes the highest distance to come to a halt form 70MPH by a big margin as compared to the competitors. The ESP and Traction Control do offer confidence and reduces the wobbliness of the Car when braking hard.

The 2020 Volkswagen Jetta’s Turbocharged is not only good on performance but good on efficiency as well. It has one of the best MPG figures in the segment and the efficient gearing, allows the VW to squeeze out the maximum efficiency from the 1.4L Motor.

Models	Volkswagen Jetta Sedan	Toyota Corolla Sedan	Honda Civic Sedan	Mazda 3 Sedan	Hyundai Elantra Sedan	Chevrolet Cruze Sedan
MPG (city)	30	28	32	27	28	30
MPG (highway)	39	35	42	36	37	39
MPG (combined)	34	31	36	30	32	33
Fuel Tank Capacity(Gal.)	13.2	13.2	12.39	13.2	14	13.7

The 34 MPG combined Fuel average is second to only the Honda Civic but the VW redeems itself in the overall range. The VW with its 13.2 gallon Fuel Tank delivers a range of 448.8 while the Civic, with its 13.2 delivers only 446.04.

Volkswagen’s somewhat tarnished reputation for building nice interiors receives something of a polishing, as the new Jetta has more soft-touch surfaces than the outgoing car, including nicely padded armrests and front-door inserts –Caranddriver.com

Seating and Comfort

One of the reasons why the MQB platform of the VW group has become famous is the Increase in Interior Space. The MQB in the VW Jetta has created a similar impact in the 7^th Gen Jetta as well. The Steering Pedals have been well positioned while the Steering is in the right position.

The Interior layout is typical German in Build. Customers won’t see many Inconsistencies or Panel gaps in the interiors of the Jetta and will be thoroughly impressed by the quality of materials used.

The Seats have been given better bolstering and cushioning than the previous-gen car and have been made more ergonomic.

Models	VW Jetta Sedan	Toyota Corolla Sedan	Honda Civic Sedan	Mazda 3 Sedan	Hyundai Elantra Sedan	Chevrolet Cruze Sedan
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.5/55.9/41.1	38.3/54.8/42.3	39.3/57.0/37.1	38.3/54.8/42.3	38.8/56.2/42.3	38.9/54.8/42
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	37.2/54/37.4	37.1/55.0/37.4	37.1/55.0/37.4	37.6/54.4/35.8	37.3/55.0/35.7	37.3/53.7/36.1

Passengers in the Front seat will enjoy the Space liberated via the use of the MQB platform in the Jetta. The headroom is decent for most passengers while the Shoulder room and Legroom will be something, the customers won’t complain about.

Similar Story exists for the Rear as well wherein, customers will get oodles of Space to comfortably rest their Bodies while on long drives.

Cargo Capacity

The Expanded Interior Storage of the 2020 Jetta has caused a minuscule reduction in the cargo space of the Jetta. This is in no way can be called Small and is still comparable and better to what most rivals offer.

Models	VW Jetta	Honda Civic	Mazda 3	Toyota Corolla Sedan	Hyundai Elantra	Chevrolet Cruze
Cargo Capacity (cu.ft)	14.1	15.2	12.4	13.0	14.4	14.8

The Honda Civic offers the Best Cargo space due to its Compact Interiors however, the Jetta is not behind as it offers 14.1 cu ft. of Space. This coupled with Increased Cubby Holes and Storage compartments in the Cabin makes the Jetta, a very practical sedan.

Infotainment System

VW has improved the Infotainment System in the new 2020 Jetta. A 6.5” Touchscreen infotainment System comes in standard in the Base S, SE and R-Line trims. It is positioned towards the driver and offers excellent reach and feedback to the driver. An utterly disappointing feature in the Jetta is the lack of USB ports in the Starting 3 Trims. The S, SE and R-Line trims just do with 1 USB port and we feel that in the current age of Connectivity, VW could have done more.

Interior Features

• 65” Digital Cockpit Display
• 8” Navigation System
• Beats Audio System
• VW Car-Net Car Security
• VW App-Connect with Android Auto and Apple Car Play support
• 10 Color Customizable Ambient Lighting
• Panoramic Sunroof
• Heated and Ventilated Seats

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 –Edmunds.com

Design

Volkswagens of the past have always been criticized for their Boring and Dull Exteriors and Styling. With the 7^th Generation of the Jetta, VW has tried to change this reputation of theirs by incorporating better design and character.

The Design is not offensive or aggressive unlike the competition but tends to stay Non offensive. The Looks may still be conservative but will attract more attention than the previous generation model

There are Sharp lines across the bonnet of the Sedan that offers some Flair to the otherwise “Subtle” front. The Standard LED Headlamps do tend to grab attention of On Lookers but Young Buyers may not feel the same.

Dimensions and Weight

The 7^th Gen Jetta has changed heavily in terms of Weights and Dimensions, after the incorporation of the MQB platform. It has grown considerably bigger over its previous generation avatar owing to the same fact. The Grill has grown bigger than before, with a more prominent VW Logo in the front.

The Wheelbase has grown to 105.7 Inch while the overall length has grown to 185.1 Inch. This overall increase in Length has liberated more space in the interiors however, the Cargo Space has reduced by 2 Cubic Feet to 14.

Model	VW Jetta	Toyota Corolla Sedan	Honda Civic Sedan	Mazda 3 Sedan	Hyundai Elantra Sedan	Chevrolet Cruze Sedan
Curb weight (lbs.)	2767	2840	2724	2899	2844	2870
Length(in)	185.1	183.1	182.3	180.3	181.9	183.7
Width(in)	70.8	69.9	70.8	70.7	70.9	70.5
Height(in)	57.4	57.3	55.7	57.3	56.5	57.4
Ground clearance (in)	5.6	6.7	6.3	6.1	5.3	6.4
Wheelbase (in)	105.7	106.3	106.3	106.3	106.3	106.3

The Jetta is now the Longest Sedan in this Comparison courtesy of the MQB platform. The Tall Height of the Jetta allows Tall passengers to be accommodated comfortably in the Cabin. One downside to the new design however is the low ground clearance, which means you will have to be little bit careful while going over speed bumps.

Exterior Features

The Exterior of the 7^th Generation Jetta has features like LED Headlamps and Tail Lamps as standard on the base trim, which no other Sedan in this comparison has. Some other exterior features in the lineup include

• LED Headlights
• LED Daytime Running Lamps
• LED Tail Lights and License plate Lights
• Powered Side Mirrors with Memory Function
• Rain Sensing Windshield wipers
• Heated Side Mirrors
• Fog Lights with low-speed corner illuminating feature
• 17” Alloy Wheels
• Powered Sunroof

Some Safety Features in the VW Jetta include:

• ABS with EBD and Hydraulic Brake Assist
• Electronic Stability Control with Anti Slip Regulation
• Electronic Differential Locking and Engine Brake Assist
• Driver and Front Passenger Front and Side Thorax Airbag
• Front and Rear Side Curtain and Head Protection Airbag
• Front Seatbelt with pre tensioners and load limiters
• LATCH child seat anchor points
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System

2020 Volkswagen Jetta vs. Honda Civic Sedan

The Honda Civic is the Benchmark of the Compact Sedan Segment because of multiple reasons. It has a powerful engine that feels refined and delivers good fuel efficiency. It also offers tremendous space inside the Cabin and in Cargo area as well.

The VW on the other hand offers Unmatched Build Quality, something that even the Japanese have to match. The VW offers features like LED head lamps and Tail Lights as standard in the base variant which is a feature unheard of in this segment. Most importantly, the VW is cheaper than the Honda by $1,000 which makes it good value.

2020 Volkswagen Jetta vs. Mazda Mazda3 Sedan

The Mazda Mazda3 has been the top pick among the buyers in the compact sedan segment for its amazing ride and handling characteristics. The Mazda has great sporting credentials and it instigates enthusiastic driving in the driver. The Mazda however is yet to get a 2020 edition and for now, it’s starting to feel dated.

The VW on the other hand is a fresher design, higher cargo capacity and superb build quality to help its cause. The VW is also the cheaper among the 2 and has the edge in terms of features offered in the various trims as well.

2020 Volkswagen Jetta vs. Toyota Corolla Sedan

The Toyota Corolla has been the most selling car in the compact sedan segment for a while now. People have loved the Corolla’s reliability, practicality, low cost of maintenance and economy. The Corolla, however, is starting to look dated in design and is failing to attract young buyers. Toyota plans to address this with the 2020 Corolla but it is a story for another day.

As of now, despite being cheaper than the VW, the Corolla doesn’t offer the Driving excitement or enthusiasm of the Jetta. It also doesn’t feel as well built as the Jetta and doesn’t feel as consistent in design as the VW. The VW also has the best Bumper to Bumper warranty in America and the Corolla also doesn’t match the Jetta in terms of features offered.

VW has given a new lease of life to the Jetta which has been in production since 40 years. The 7^th Generation Jetta, with the MQB platform offers big space on the Inside and better structural rigidity and consistency to the Jetta.

Starting at just $18,500 and with standard features like LED Head lamps, Tail lights and a big touchscreen infotainment system, the VW packs in a lot of value.

With the Sturdy German Build Quality and Superb Consistency in design of the Exteriors and the Interiors, it’s difficult to go wrong with the 2020 Jetta and which is why, we feel it’s a Good proposition to go for.