When we last met the Volkswagen Jetta, it was a sedan in desperate need of newfound vigor and passion. The current generation was Volkswagen’s attempt to better compete with U.S. and Japanese entries, but its bland styling and downgraded interior materials caused it to get a lukewarm reception from customers, especially in North America. With the sedan segment as a whole still reeling from strong CUV sales, the 2019 Jetta aims to regain its lost luster, while also doubling down on its quest to redefine the four door sedan segment at the same time.
The teaser sketches Volkswagen released don’t reveal much, but they do show that the front fascia is in for a major overhaul, with a bolder front grille as well as new headlight assemblies headlining its bolder persona. We expect this new stying theme to really pop on the performance oriented GLI, assuming it carries over to the 2019 model year. The rear fascia is reminiscent of current Audi models, while the revamped interior looks to bounce back to the near premium status it once had, especially in terms of seat design and comfort.
Volkswagen claims that the 2019 Jetta will offer customers improved driving dynamics and modern technology, which could mean that Volkswagen could pitch the current model’s twist beam rear suspension for a sportier setup, as well as revamped infotainment options for audiophiles. The latter item is aimed at tech savvy millennials that put such options on the top of their expectation list when purchasing a new vehicle.
We expect the 2019 Jetta to retain an all four cylinder engine lineup, but look for the MQB platform to bring some spice to its handling manners as well as improved ride quality. If those two virtues sound familiar, they should since they help define the fun spirit possessed by current generation Golf and GTI models.
Look for the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta to make its formal debut at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in January, with more information gradually trickling out over the next several weeks.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.