2015 Volkswagen Jetta: More Than a Simple Restyling
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The Volkswagen Jetta has a new look for 2015. Why, you ask? In part, it’s to give it a more “premium” appeal, but the real reason is that the Jetta’s monocoque structure was revised to make it compliant with the latest passenger protection standards in case of a collision. The new Jetta earned a five-star rating from the U.S. government’s National Highway Transport Safety Administration (NHTSA.gov) and the brand’s top brass is eagerly awaiting the verdict from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS.org) in the hopes that this more demanding organization gives the Jetta a favorable rating too.
While the engineers were taking care of structural changes, the designers got the green light to give the Jetta a facelift to strengthen the family resemblance between it and the Passat, while improving the model’s drag coefficient. The 2015 Jetta also gets the 1.8-litre EA888 turbocharged gasoline engine as well as the new 2.0-litre EA288 turbodiesel engine. Unfortunately, the base trim will still be powered by the outdated 2.0-litre four-cylinder naturally-aspirated engine developing 115 horsepower so that Volkswagen can attract buyers to showrooms with a very low floor price (just $14,990 for a car without air conditioning). With the restyling, Volkswagen also closes the gap between it and the competition since the Jetta will be available with optional driving aid systems and some improvements have been made to the look of the passenger compartment to give it more panache.
Speaking of style, the front grille now has three horizontal slats, there are optional bi-xenon headlights and LED daytime running lights, and the active shutters integrated into the front end help improve the drag coefficient. In the back, there’s the new trunk lid and a redesigned bumper and taillights. Inside, there’s a new central console design, the more modern look of the instrument panel and the softer dashboard covering, but there are still hard plastics on the doors. In any case, life on board promises to be more pleasant. Unfortunately, Volkswagen still doesn’t offer a USB jack, which forces the client to buy just the right cable to plug in their smart phone. During the presentation, much was made of the fact that Volkswagen is an automobile giant that employs more than 40,000 engineers. Note to Wolfsburg: try assigning one of those engineers to the USB jack, please.
During a short test drive, we had the chance to drive both versions of the 2015 Jetta – one powered by the gas engine and the other by the diesel – and a Golf, just for the sake of comparison. Although the new Jettas are quieter and more fun to drive than the previous versions, the Golf’s comfort and handling were superior. The Jetta offers a good driving experience, but it isn’t as satisfying as that of the Golf. Sure, the Jetta’s steering is fast and linear, but it doesn’t provide as much feedback as that of the Golf.
With the 2015 Jetta as with the Golf, the new engines are very efficient. With 170 horsepower, the 1.8-litre turbocharged gasoline engine has no difficulty accelerating the Jetta and the programming that controls the automatic transmission guarantees that upshifting is done quickly to improve fuel consumption, which is predicted to average 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres with the six-speed automatic gearbox and 8.0 litres with the five-speed manual gearbox. For those who drive a great deal, the 2.0-litre turbodiesel is the choice for you, with its 150 horsepower and more abundant torque than the gas engine. Its average fuel consumption of 6.5 litres per 100 kilometres is equal for both transmissions. On the technical side, the EA288 turbodiesel engine is very advanced with variable valve timing, high pressure fuel injectors and its exhaust gas treatment system with particulate filter developed to comply with North American anti-pollution standards.
The 2015 Jetta is currently on sale in Canada, while the GLI sport and the hybrid version will arrive later in 2015. The price of a Trendline Plus with 1.8-litre turbo engine is set at $20,690, while the Comfortline costs $22,890 and the Highline costs $25,990. As for the versions powered by the TDI engine, the Trendline Plus starts at $23,890, the Comfortline at $25,290 and the Highline at $28,290. With its new engines, more premium style and good equipment for the price, the 2015 Jetta should help the brand improve its sales figures for its Canadian bestseller.
