Jetta is Volkswagen’s best selling U.S. sedan, refined for 2015Volkswagen designers clearly spent time strengthening the Jetta’s weakest points for 2015. What was once it’s weakest point, the interior is now pleasing to the eye as well as comfortable. It is now dressed up with better materials and the dashboard looks world’s better than that of its predecessors.
The Jetta has been Volkswagen’s bestselling model in the U.S. for years and the credit for the car’s popularity goes to the success of the sixth-generation version released in 2011. For 2015, VW has kept the basics while refining and redesigning it.
This year, VW offers Jetta in four trim levels — Base, S, SE and SEL — with 13 equipment levels, so you can get the car any way you want it or need it. Following the updates of the 2014 model — including a 1.8-liter turbocharged EA888 engine replacing the 2.5-liter fivecylinder unit — the 2015 Jetta has a fresh new face and some important updates underneath. The subtly redesigned exterior gives it a crisp new look, but also helps increase the overall efficiency by improving the aerodynamics. Under the hood, the new Jetta continues to offer three fourcylinder gasoline engine choices (a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine, as well as 1.8- liter and 2.0-liter versions of the turbocharged EA888 engine), a 1.4-liter turbocharged hybrid unit, and a new 2.0-liter turbocharged EA288 TDI Clean Diesel engine. It also has a variety of available driver assistance systems.
Also available is the Jetta Sport model limited-edition disguised in the 1.8T SE trim. It comes with a sport suspension, front sport seats, RNS 315 navigation with rearview camera, two-tone 17-inch wheels, foglights and VW Car-Net connected car features. When paired with a five-speed manual transmission, the Sport starts at $20,895; $21,995 with a six-speed automatic transmission.
The new Jetta is bigger and longer by 2.9 inches allowing designers to incorporate clear, precise lines and muscular surfaces. At the front, the coupe-like incline of the windshield and the consistent use of horizontal lines define the modern Jetta design.
The radiator grille was redesigned with three cross fins, a new bumper and available Bi-Xenon headlights with Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS). The new bumper and air intakes up front help reduce air drag, as do updated rain gutters near the A-pillars.
Jetta also has an updated rear design, including a new trunk lid, taillights, emblems and bumper. The new trunk lid features an aerodynamic trailing edge — an integrated spoiler that lines up with the car’s silhouette near the character line, extending elegantly into the rear fenders.
The starting MSRP for the base 2015 VW Jetta is $16,215.
Grant Miller is the publisher of Community Newspapers. He may be contacted by calling 305-662-2277 or by addressing email to Grant@CommunityNewspapers.com.
