The Next-Gen Volkswagen Jetta is Loaded To The Brim With Tech Features

TopSpeed

By Kirby Garlitos

Published Jan 16, 2018

They're all wrapped up in fancy new sheetmetal

The sedan market in the U.S. is teetering on the ropes, struggling to keep its share of the automotive sales pie amidst the rush of crossovers and SUVs that have been selling like hot pancakes. Volkswagen isn’t immune to this shift in perception. Thankfully, it still has the Jetta to keep it relevant in this changing times. The compact sedan remains VW’s best-selling model, and the German automaker's all-new Jetta has the makings of a model that can help stem the tide for #teamsedan.

There are so many things to discuss regarding the new Volkswagen Jetta. Every single element of it is worth mentioning. That includes the sedan finally — finally! — getting acquainted with Volkswagen’s all-world MQB platform. But we’ll save the assembling of all pertinent details to the review. For now, we’re putting a spotlight on one of the most underrated aspects of the new sedan: the tech features.

To say that the Jetta is loaded with tech bits is a massive understatement. It’s overflowing with them.

The most prominent tech addition is the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit Display, a new interface that provides unprecedented reconfiguration capabilities, allowing drivers to view useful bits like navigation or vehicle settings, all of which can be viewed directly in the speedometer display. Of course, you’re going to have to pay a premium to get the Digital Cockpit Display as standard equipment. It comes standard on the SEL and SEL Premium trims, the two higher trim levels among the four trim options that Volkswagen is offering for the sedan.

In addition to the Digital Cockpit Display, the all-new Jetta also gets VW’s Car-Net system, which unlocks the sedan to a world of connected vehicle services, including App-Connect technology. If you want smartphone integration on your Jetta, App-Connect is your calling card. The Car-Net system is compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink. In the world of “firsts”, the Jetta is also the first Volkswagen model in the US to offer Beats Audio’s 400-watt audio system.

The Jetta also isn’t lacking in safety goodies. You might have to pay extra for some of them, but if you’re looking to turn the sedan into a cocoon of safety, you can get anything from forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring with rear traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is set to become available later this year. Four trim levels — S, SE, SEL, and SEL Premium — are available, with prices starting at $18,545.