2017 Volkswagen Jetta: Simplified but Still Strong

The lineup from Volkswagen took a hit last year and has been changed, but sometimes changes are good. In this case the loss of the diesel models and the hybrid version give room for other trims of the Jetta to be able to lead the way with their style, their own performance attributes and the ability to be great cars for you to drive. The simplified lineup of the Jetta still gives us the GLI model that offers plenty of power and performance along with the fuel efficiency of some of the others in the lineup that still compete against the compact sedan class.

What is the Volkswagen Jetta? This is a car that offers you the style of driving you find in Europe in a sedans that’s easy to love and even easier on your pockets. This little car is the perfect compact sedan model for you to drive and have the mileage you want from your engine while also paying a smaller overall price than if you chose a luxury model from Europe. For 2017 the Jetta is reduced to only four trims, which is plenty to keep us interest. The base model adds a rearview camera and blind spot monitoring.

Pop the hood and you’ll be greeted by any of three distinct four-cylinder engines. The base S and SE models use the 1.4-liter turbocharged engine that brings you 150 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine is attached to either a five-speed manual that gives you 28 city/40 hwy mpg or the six-speed automatic that offers you 28 city/38 hwy mpg for you to enjoy. This makes a great place to start, but there are to more exciting engines you need to see to really enjoy what the Jetta has to offer.

Next up we have the 1.8-liter turbocharged engine that is found in the SEL and Sport models. This engine produces 170 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque and only uses the six-speed automatic transmission to give you 25 city/35 hwy mpg of fuel mileage for you to enjoy. At the top of the engine food chain for the Jetta you have a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine in the GLI that produces 210 horsepower and 207 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine uses either a six-speed manual transmission for 23 city/33 hwy mpg or a six-speed automatic that gives you 24 city/33 hwy mpg to enjoy the ride.

The standard equipment you can enjoy on the Jetta starts out at the S trim with a rearview camera, a six-way driver’s seat with height adjustments, 16-inch wheels, a five-inch color touchscreen for the infotainment system, a sound system, USB ports and Bluetooth connectivity. Moving up to the SE model adds a power sunroof, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alerts, heated front seats, a larger touchscreen display, faux leather seating, push button starting and premium wheels. With this menu of great equipment you won’t feel shortchanged at all and you won’t have to step up too high on the pricing ladder to add what the SE model brings to the Jetta.

The options you can enjoy on this car include a power driver’s seat, dual zone automatic climate controls, a navigation system, rain sensing windshield wiper, forward collision warnings, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, a sport tuned suspension, a 400-watt Fender premium audio system and the Park Pilot front and rear parking sensor system. While this doesn’t seem like a long list of features that can be added to the Jetta, the reality is these items can make a huge difference in your driving experience with this car.

When you get behind the wheel of the Jetta you have a fun to drive car that offers you the excitement you want to enjoy. All Jetta models are FWD and even with that as their setup you will love the feeling of great acceleration, a dynamic drivetrain and the suspension and steering that seem to work well together. While the Jetta lineup has been reduced to only four models, you will still have the car you want to drive when you visit your local Volkswagen dealer and decide to pick out any one of the Jetta models that feels right to you.