What Our Expert Says
In the sections that follow, our expert provides his own assessment of how the 2016 Jetta performs in each of the 10 categories that comprise the
2015 U.S. APEAL Study.
Exterior
While the Jetta might not be exciting to behold, the clean and conservative styling certainly has aged well. Add some extra chrome detailing and the larger, more expressive wheel designs of the Jetta's upper trim levels and this simple sedan takes on a more upscale appearance.
The racy Jetta GLI has altered styling, red trim, and different wheels to set it apart from other Jettas, and it looks great, closer to an
Audi than a
Volkswagen.
Interior
Purposeful and tasteful, the Jetta's interior takes on a simple and functional appearance, similar to its exterior design.
Fabric-wrapped windshield pillars in material that matches the headliner is one example of VW's attention to detail, as is the softly padded center armrest, which slides and raises in order to adjust for maximum comfort. Chrome accents, gloss black trim, and additional soft-touch surfaces provide an upscale look in higher trim levels, and buyers benefit from a richer, 2-tone cabin appearance when choosing gray or beige interior colors.
Seats
Comfortable and supportive even after hours of driving, the Jetta's seats impress in comparison to many compact cars. The Jetta SE test vehicle had cloth upholstery with a simple appearance and durable feel. The Jetta GLI test vehicle had Volkswagen's V-Tex leatherette, which does a good job of mimicking leather. On hot days, however, the leatherette can trap sweat, leading to discomfort and wrinkled clothing.
Roomier inside than many competitors, the rear seat of the Jetta is easy to enter and exit, thanks to large rear doors. Four adults will find this car quite comfortable, and families will discover that the Jetta has no trouble accommodating children.
Climate Control System
Both test cars had a simple 3-dial climate system that proved easy to understand and use. Volkswagen also designs the Jetta for cold-weather climates, offering all but the Jetta S with heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and heated washer jet nozzles. What the car could really use, though, when equipped with leatherette seating, is a seat ventilation system for hot summer days.
Infotainment System
New infotainment systems debut for 2016 and could help Volkswagen improve in terms of owner satisfaction and appeal. One is equipped with a 5-in. touch-screen display, the other includes a 6.3-in. touch-screen display. The latter is equipped with App-Connect smartphone-projection technology, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Mirror Link.
The upgraded system also supports voice texting, and Car-Net subscription service is available. Car-Net provides several safety-related functions as well as the ability to find the car via smartphone app; supplies access to weather and traffic reports along with nearby fuel station prices; facilitates remote access to vehicle locking; provides a stolen-vehicle location service, and more.
A Fender premium sound system is standard for certain Jetta trim levels, including the GLI. It delivered excellent sound across a variety of music types.
Storage and Space
Large door panel bins, a tray forward of the shifter, and a big glove box are the main spots in which to stash your stuff inside of a Jetta. I found the space to be adequate; however, it would be nice if a center storage console were also a part of the standard offering, but not if it would mean losing the sliding and height-adjustable center armrest.
If one decides to use the Jetta as a family car, rest assured that its 15.7 cu.-ft. trunk is utterly enormous for the compact segment. In fact, the Jetta's trunk is larger than that of many midsize sedans. Thoughtfully, Volkswagen places grab handles on either side of the trunk lid's interior in order to make it easy to shut from both sides of the car.
Visibility and Safety
Thin windshield pillars and sizable rectangular side mirrors make it easy to see out of the Jetta. Reversing almost requires the back-up camera, which is optional for the Jetta S and standard on other trim levels. This car needs one because the trunk is tall, making it tough to gauge distance to objects when reversing without the camera.
The Jetta SE includes Car-Net subscription services. Safety-related features include automatic collision notification, emergency SOS calling, and both vehicle-speed and boundary alerts. Also, depending on the trim level, a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert is available.
For 2016, all VW Jettas have standard automatic post-collision braking, which brings the car to a complete stop as soon as possible following a collision. Also new for 2016, the Jetta is offered with an adaptive cruise control system, forward-collision warning system, and an automatic emergency braking system. These features are exclusive to the SEL and SEL Premium.
Notably, the Jetta is heavier than most of its competitors, and heavier vehicles do a better job of protecting their occupants in a collision. As far as official safety ratings are concerned, the Jetta earns a 5-star (out of 5) overall rating from the federal government and a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). When equipped with forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking, the IIHS rating improves to a highest-possible "Top Safety Pick+."
Engine/Transmission
For 2016, Volkswagen has replaced its aged, 115-horsepower, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with a new turbocharged, 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. The difference between the two engines is dramatic, and makes choosing the most affordable versions of the Jetta appealing for more reasons than simply price. Standard in both the Jetta S and the Jetta SE, the new engine makes 150 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 184 lb.-ft. of torque starting at just 1,400 rpm. A 5-speed manual gearbox remains standard, with a 6-speed automatic transmission an option.
Exclusive for the Jetta GLI, a turbocharged, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine generates 210 horsepower at 5,300 rpm and 207 lb.-ft. of torque beginning at 1,700 rpm. This engine is paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG), which is an automated manual transmission.
Both engines supply a broad torque curve that helps to make them feel powerful and responsive through the rev range. These traits are also characteristic of the turbocharged, 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine used in the Sport, SEL, and SEL Premium versions.
A relatively sophisticated gas-electric hybrid powertrain is also offered for the 2016 Jetta, but only in the most expensive SEL Premium trim level. That gives the Jetta Hybrid the highest base price of any Jetta variant, at $31,940.
Fuel Economy
According to the EPA, the 2016 Jetta SE with a 6-speed automatic transmission should return 32 mpg in combined driving. During my test drive on a short, hilly test route, the car averaged 28.4 mpg.
Similarly, when driven on my standard test route, the Jetta GLI fell short of estimates. The EPA predicts 27 mpg in combined driving with the standard manual transmission, and the GLI got 23.4 mpg. To be fair to the car, though, I was thoroughly enjoying myself and wringing the engine for all it was worth.
Driving Dynamics
Unquestionably, the Jetta's new base engine represents a huge improvement over the previous 2.0-liter. Some turbo lag is evident right when launching the car, but it doesn't take long for the torque to kick in and produce decent acceleration. With the 6-speed automatic transmission, a Sport driving mode further enlivens response.
While the Jetta SE delivers a fairly soft and compliant ride, the car nevertheless handles with a nimble, confidence-inspiring, Euro-inspired feel. Over the past several years, Volkswagen has been steadily improving the Jetta, especially the more affordable versions, which now include 4-wheel-disc brakes and a 4-wheel-independent suspension.
For maximum driving pleasure, choose the Jetta GLI. In addition to specific design cues, the GLI boasts sport-bolstered seating, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and several hardware upgrades to go along with its more powerful engine. The upgrades include a sport suspension, larger brakes, and bigger wheels and tires. Volkswagen also offers optional summer performance rubber for this version of the Jetta, and my test vehicle had it.
Release the GLI's clutch, and once the tachometer needle swings past 1,500 rpm, this version of the Jetta feels like it has a limitless well of smooth, eager, abundant power. The shifter is a pleasure to use, and while Volkswagen could stand to dial back on the GLI's excessive vertical body motions when traveling rumpled roads at a substantial clip, this car is a delight to drive hard and fast. After all, it is basically a
VW GTI in a 4-door sedan body style.
For this review, our expert evaluated two different versions of the 2016 Jetta. The first–a Jetta SE with an automatic transmission–was driven briefly during an industry event. The SE's price came to $20,915, including the $820 destination charge. The second was a Jetta GLI with SE trim and no options. The GLI model's price came to $27,740, and we spent a full week evaluating this version of the car.Before we discuss the results of our evaluation, it is helpful to understand who bought the previous version of this compact sedan and what they liked most and least about it.
In the JD Power 2015 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study,SM the Jetta ranks fifth among 19 compact sedans in terms of overall appeal. Owners indicate that their favorite things about the Jetta are (in descending order) exterior styling, driving dynamics, fuel economy, interior design, and the engine/transmission. Owners indicate that their least favorite things about the Jetta are (in descending order) infotainment system, climate control system, visibility and safety, storage and space, and seats.
