The pressure of building a vehicle that continues to be one that meets the needs and desires we have and is built in a way that will attract a large audience for the drive is immense.
Thankfully, the team at Volkswagen has had the experience and success over time to be able to offer us what we want when it’s time to get out on the road and drive, especially when it comes to the Volkswagen Jetta. This car has been one of our favorite models to drive for many years and it continues to be an excellent choice.
Recently, the next generation of the Jetta has been seen testing in Arizona at the Proving Grounds near Phoenix to give us a look at what this new model could be when we’re ready to hit the road. This is the perfect place for a car to be tested for corrosion, long term mileage, severe hot weather testing, high-speed track testing, and performance and aggressive braking.
The 1,700-acre location makes it easy for the team at Volkswagen to show off what this car can do so they can make the adjustments needed to offer us a new Jetta that will be perfect for the driving experience we want on the road.
The Look
Visually, the new Jetta won’t appear to be much different from the current model. This makes sense as the Jetta hasn’t been a car we drive for its style, but for its performance.
The initial reaction to what this car looks like shows off a tight maturity to let us know this model will be a bit more attractive and agile on the road. Even though the car on the track was bathed in camouflage the LED headlights and lower hoods are easy to spot even from afar.
Using the MQB platform for the build of this car, the new car will be 1.7 inches longer and the wheelbase will be 1.3 inches greater than the outgoing model. The width has even increased by nearly an inch as well, making the interior space greater from these three upgrades that make this a car that can be perfect for the ride on the road.
Looking at the rear of the new Jetta, the taillights will carry the LED look that we already see in the new Golf and Atlas models that are offered for the 2018 model year.
The Drive
As this car makes its way around the track, it was easy to hear the 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that’s attached to a quick-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. The transmission is an upgrade over the outgoing six-speed automatic and the engine is able to produce 150 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque.
At the launch, this will be the only powertrain offered with the GLI model coming the following year for the 2020 model year to give us the performance-oriented model that we’ve been looking for and expect to remain a staple of what this car has to offer us.
Even though this new car is a little bit larger, it does offer us the button downed driving experience we’ve had in the past. This is a car that has always been one that’s a bit fun for the drive with the speed you want in a small sedan and the ability to handle the braking and steering desired that will come in the form of this impressive little Jetta sedan.
During the testing in Arizona, the Jetta mule reached a high-speed run of over 120 mph in a way that made this a car that showed off the composure and quality you would expect.
An Interesting Choice
Even though we don’t have the production model of the new Jetta to tell us exactly what this car will be when it makes its way to the dealership lot, it’s certainly one we’ve admired and enjoyed driving for many years.
The compact sedan market is one of the most difficult to compete in and this car has been near the top for several years. We will get a look at what the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta will be when it makes its official debut at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show in January, giving us something special to look forward to.
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