The two-tone interior of the Volkswagen Jetta has a cool, modern vibe. Online: In the market for a new vehicle? To access hundreds of Mark Kennedy's Chattanooga Test Drive columns visit www.timesfreepress.com/testdrive.
FAST FACTS
* Model: 2019 Jetta 1.4T SE
* Exterior color: Silk Blue Metallic
* Interior color: Gray Leatherette
* Engine: Four-cylinder, 1.4-liter, turbocharged
* Horsepower: 147
* Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
* Fuel economy: 40 mpg highway, 30 mpg city
* Local Dealer: Village Volkswagen of Chattanooga
* Price (as tested): $23,005
Two observations about Volkswagen's newly redesigned Jetta.
First the good: I make a game of guessing the price of a car before I look at the window sticker. I was way off on my estimate of our 2019 Silk Blue Metallic Jetta tester. I mentally guessed $26,000, and the actual MSRP is $23,005, before discounts.
Thumbs up, VW. That's real value.
Now, a practical suggestion: The trunk-lid of the Jetta will make you see stars you if you're not careful. Even after realizing that it has a quirky, two-stage hinge, I was still unable to completely escape the guillotine effect. (You have to give the lid a stiff shove to lock it in the upright position while you load your groceries.) Not sure what VW was going for here, but it needs to re-evaluate the design.
I'm going to assume VW will deal with the trunk issue in due course, which leaves us with a sharp little sedan with clean, crisp lines, modern safety gear and a sweet drivetrain. The Jetta has been VWs best selling car, and probably will continue to be because of its entry-level pricing.
This year, the Jetta gets to share the more-modern MQB architecture of the VW Golf, which is a good thing. Still the Golf, and the performance oriented Golf GTI, are more fun to drive if carving up mountain roads is your cup of tea. Jetta's more sedate selling points are comfort, competence and value.
Village Volkswagen of Chattanooga at 6001 International Drive had nine Jettas in digital inventory this week. After advertised discounts, they range in price from $15,940 to $22,040. Frankly, you're getting a lot of car for the money here.
WHAT IS IT? The Jetta is a five-passenger compact sedan that slots just under the Chattanooga-made Passat in the VW line-up. There are five trim levels, from the base S to the top-of-the-line SEL Premium. Our mid-trim SE tester has an MSRP of $23,005 before discounts.
HOW DOES IT DRIVE? The Jetta scoots around town with plenty of energy. Whether climbing the W Road or taking a cross-city jaunt to a soccer match in Tyner, the little VW proved to be a willing companion. The interior is roomy and airy and the two-tone interior color scheme has a modern vibe. Our Jetta SE tester, provided for a one-week test drive by the manufacturer, had no optional equipment.
THINGS WE LIKED: The Jetta is exceptionally quiet at idle, steering is light and the turbocharged engine packs a lot of power. Styling is clean and modern, and the light blue exterior/gray leather interior combo is easy on the eyes. Part of the Jetta's value is stellar fuel economy: 40 mpg highway, 30 mpg city. Not long ago, those would have been hybrid-type numbers.
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT: The interior door-panel plastics look down-market. The touch-screen collects smudges and switches and dials feel a bit flimsy. And, then, there's that pesky trunk lid.
BOTTOM LINE: It's lamentable, but true, that the market is moving away from sedans and toward crossovers. We suspect that the excellent new VW Tiguan SUV may be blunting Jetta sales some. Still, if you want a value-packed, German engineered economy car, the Jetta is a good option. For those show want more excitement, the Golf GTI or a rumored Jetta GLI (220 hp) might be a better choice.
Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6645. Follow him on Twitter @TFPCOLUMNIST. Subscribe to his Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/mkennedycolumnist.