Compact SUVs have been the buzz in the automotive world for the past few years, but there are still a lot of small sedans running around, and the relentless consumer focus on SUVs means there are fantastic deals to be made on passenger cars.
One of the best of the bunch is the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. VW completely reworked the Jetta for this model year, making it slightly larger and endowing the 2019 model with many new features and improvements. While the Jetta is a niche player in a market segment dominated by the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, there’s a reason VW has been making the Jetta since 1979; the little sedan has a loyal following for its quality and performance.
All 2019 Jetta models are powered by the 1.4-liter turbocharged engine rated at 147 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The Jetta has front-wheel drive, and offers either an 8-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission. Both transmission options return 30 mpg in city driving, and 40 mpg on the highway.
The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta earned a 5-star overall crash safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a good safety rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
When you buy a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) 2019 Jetta, the car has passed a 100-point dealer inspection, and is covered by a 1-year/12,000-mile warranty. Volkswagen will provide a CarFax vehicle report and provides a roadside assistance program. Additionally, Sirius/XM provides a 3-month trial subscription on vehicles that support satellite radio.
The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta comes in five distinct trim levels, ranging from the base Jetta S to the luxurious Jetta SEL Premium. You can read about each trim level in detail below.
2019 Volkswagen Jetta S (Original starting price when new: $18,745)
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The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta S started at $18,745.
The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta S was the only trim available with the 6-speed manual transmission, and the base price reflects the manual as standard equipment. The 8-speed automatic was optional at a base price of $19,545.
However, even the base trim Jetta S was well-equipped, with exterior features including automatic LED headlights, daytime running lights, and taillights. Even the license plate light is an LED. The standard wheels are 16-inch alloy in a modern design. Beyond that, the entire 2019 Jetta exterior was a fresh redesign, giving this model the same premium look as Volkswagen’s larger sedans.
Inside, the Jetta S provides air conditioning and cruise control. The seats get cloth upholstery, and the driver’s seat is 6-way manually adjustable. The rear seat offers a 60/40 split.
Standard dashboard tech is a 6.5-inch touchscreen with an AM/FM radio, USB input, and wheel-mounted audio controls. The system supports VW’s Car-Net App-Connect services. A rearview camera system is also standard.
There is one crucial option package: the Driver Assistance Package, which brings in several advanced safety and driver assistance features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear traffic alert, and forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking.
Who is this trim level for? The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta S is for buyers who want a manual transmission or simply the most affordable Jetta model.
2019 Volkswagen Jetta S includes:
Turbocharged engine — The 2019 Jetta offers peppy performance with fuel economy.
6-speed manual transmission — The Jetta S is the only trim with an available manual gearbox.
6.5-inch display — The standard radio offer AM/FM and USB inputs.
2019 Volkswagen Jetta SE (Original starting price when new: $22,395)
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The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta SE started at $22,395.
In addition to the features included in the base Jetta S, the SE trim adds standard heated side mirrors and treats the 16-inch alloy wheels to a durable gloss black coating. The 8-speed automatic is the only transmission available in this and all higher trims.
The Jetta SE trim adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. Standard upholstery upgrades to leatherette, and the front seats are heated, and a pull-down rear center armrest is included. The climate control is dual-zone automatic, and the Jetta SE includes keyless entry and push-button start.
For safety, the Jetta SE trim makes blind-spot monitoring, rear traffic alert, and forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking standard.
The option package in the Jetta SE trim is a Cold Weather Package not available on the Jetta S. This includes heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, heated windshield wiper and washer nozzles, and remote start capability.
Who is this trim level for? The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta SE is for buyers who want the most popular optional features while keeping purchase price under control.
2019 Volkswagen Jetta SE includes:
Leatherette upholstery — This upholstery is easier to clean than cloth.
Standard driver assistance — Blind spot monitor, rear traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking are standard.
Automatic transmission — The 8-speed automatic is the only transmission option.
2019 Volkswagen Jetta R-Line (Original starting price when new: $23,245)
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The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta R-Line started at $23,245.
The 2019 Jetta R-Line is a sport-oriented trim based on the SE model, with a few select upgrades. The R-Line adds features such as fog lights, de-chromes the grille in favor of gloss black, adds special badging and bumper skins, and rides on 17-inch dark gray alloy wheels. Mechanically, the R-Line comes with an electronic locking differential for high-performance driving. The Jetta R-Line is the only 2019 Jetta with this feature. Inside, the R-Line offers a unique leather steering wheel with contrast stitching.
Who is this trim level for? The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta R-Line is for buyers who want a sport-oriented model at a modest price.
2019 Volkswagen Jetta R-Line includes:
17-inch alloy wheels — The R-Line comes with a unique wheel package.
Fog lights — increases illumination, especially in bad weather.
Special badging — Gloss black trim and exterior R-Line badging.
2019 Volkswagen Jetta SEL (Original starting price when new: $24,695)
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The 2019 Jetta SEL includes most features from lower trims but really starts its own premium feature set. The Jetta SEL includes LED headlights like lower trims, but these are a different “signature” design. The Jetta SEL rides on the same 16-inch alloy wheels as the SE trim.
Inside, the SEL trim offers an auto-dimming rearview mirror and rain-sensing wipers and introduces a 10-color ambient lighting system. Most importantly, this trim level brings in a 400-watt 8-speaker plus subwoofer audio system designed by BeatsAudio. The interface is upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen with two USB ports, Sirius/XM satellite radio, and a CD player. The driver gets a 10.25-inch all-digital dashboard, too. VW also includes its Car-Net Security system.
For advanced driver assistance, the 2019 Jetta SEL comes with adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high beam control, in addition to all the other advanced safety features from the Jetta SE trim.
Who is this trim level for? The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta SEL is for buyers who want a thoroughly modern technology package while saving some money.
2019 Volkswagen Jetta SEL includes:
8-inch touchscreen — This trim adds satellite radio and CD player to a larger infotainment system.
BeatsAudio — The 400-watt sound system significantly improves stereo performance.
Advanced driver assistance — Adaptive cruise control follows the prevailing traffic speed.
2019 Volkswagen Jetta SEL Premium (Original starting price when new: $27,695)
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The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta SEL Premium started at $27,695.
The 2019 Jetta SEL Premium was a significant price jump from the SEL, but it comes with everything VW offered (except the locking differential). This trim includes everything from the SEL, and then adds on the front fog lights and bumper skins from the R-Line, and integrated turn signals in the side mirrors. The Jetta SEL Premium rides on unique 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.
The SEL Premium comes with leather upholstery throughout and a heated steering wheel. The front seats are a Sport-Comfort design, heated, and the driver’s seat offers 8-way power adjustment with power lumbar support. The rear seats are also heated. The cold weather package is standard, with the heated washer nozzles and heated wiper parking. On the dashboard, GPS navigation is added to the 8-inch display, and VW’s Car-Net adds a guide and inform function.
Who is this trim level for? The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta SEL Premium is for buyers who want the top-of-the-line with all available features.
2019 Volkswagen Jetta SEL Premium includes:
GPS navigation — This trim adds onboard GPS navigation to the infotainment system.
Leather seats — Heated leather seats for all passengers.
Sport comfort seats — Unique front seats offer a supportive, sporty feel.
