New VW Jetta Bows in Detroit, Redefines Compact Segment with Premium Features

TopSpeed

By Ciprian Florea

Published Jan 15, 2018

Bigger, sleeker, more upscale!

After nearly eight years on the market, the sixth-generation Volkswagen Jetta is going into the history books and a brand-new model was just unveiled at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show. The compact sedan is larger and sportier than its predecessor, it has a more upscale interior, and it just gained a new platform.

Design-wise, the new Jetta is a significant departure from the outgoing model. And it even looks better than the current Passat. It has a new, bold front fascia with a larger grille, angular headlamps, and a sculpted bumper with big daytime running lights at the corners. The compact's profile is surprisingly sporty, blending a coupe-like roof, short overhangs, and a protruding beltline. Around back, it looks an awful lot like the Audi A4 with long, slender headlamps, a trunklid spoiler, a big license plate recess and two large exhaust pipes integrated into the bumper. Full LED lights are standard front and rear, an exclusive feature in this segment.

Redesigned Interior with Premium Options

The Jetta's body also grew in every direction. The car is longer, wider and taller than the outgoing model, while the wheelbase gained more than one inch. The increased exterior proportions add up to more interior space as well, increasing comfort for all passenger. Speaking of which, the cabin was redesigned from a clean sheet. It's sleek and clean and packed with premium materials and technology, signaling the car's return to the premium-oriented market. The new infotainment system and digital instrument cluster make the dashboard look high-tech, while the seats carry a sportier design with solid bolstering.

The standard App-Connect package adds Apple CarPlay, Android AUto, and MirrorLink compatibility. The options list includes even more premium features, like heated and ventilated front seats, power driver’s seat with memory functionality, leather seating surfaces, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The new storage compartment in the center console large enough to fit a standard iPad. There's also a 10-color ambient lighting, panoramic sunroof, and 400-watt BeatsAudio system on the options list, the latter a premier for the company in the U.S.

Volkswagen also offers new driver assistance technology, with optional features including Front Assist, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Assist, and Light Assist.

New Architecture, Lower Price

There's big news under the skin too, where the old platform was replaced by the MQB architecture. The sedan continues with the 1.4-liter TSI, four-cylinder engine, which generates 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, the highest rating in its class. Transmission choices include a six-speed manual and an eight-speed automatic with a start/stop system.

The new Jetta is expected to arrive in showrooms in the second quarter of 2018 in four trims: S, SE, SEL, and SEL Premium. An R-Line trim will join the lineup before the market launch. Pricing starts at $18,545, a $100 drop compared to the outgoing model. The sticker includes the new People First Warranty with 6-years/72,000-mile (whichever occurs first) coverage.

Stay tuned for a full review of the car later this week.