Volkswagen unveiled the all-new 2019 Jetta at this year's Detroit Auto Show, but we've had to wait a few months to get official word on the sedan's pricing. Despite sporting a new look and the new MQB platform, the 2019 Jetta is more affordable that the outgoing model.
Pricing for the Jetta starts at $19,395 (including the $850 destination fee), which represents a modest decrease of $100 from last year. It may be cheaper – even if it's somewhat of a negligible amount in the grand scheme of things – but the base Jetta S is still handsomely equipped.
It comes with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, LED headlights and taillights, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a rearview camera. The $19,395 figure, though, is for a six-speed manual gearbox. If you want to add the eight-speed automatic transmission, that's an additional $800 and brings the price up to $20,195. The 147-horsepower 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is the only engine on offer for the Jetta.
The next step up is the Jetta SE that costs $23,005. The SE comes with the eight-speed automatic as standard, as do higher trim levels. Other features it adds over the base model include dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. The model also gets some advanced safety features as standard, including forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking, as well as a blind spot monitor with rear traffic alert.
Spending an additional $840 ($23,845) lands you in the Jetta R-Line trim, which is the sportiest of the bunch. A R-Line rear bumper with dual exhaust outlets, black exterior trim pieces, bespoke R-Line badging, and contrast stitching bring some athleticism to the sedan. The R-Line trim is also the only Jetta in the lineup to come with VW’s XDS electronic differential. Other than those extras, the model shares a lot of the same features as the SE trim.
The SEL model adds a host of tech over the SE trim and comes with a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit display, an eight-speaker BeatsAudio system, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, and wrap-around ambient lighting. The trim also comes with adaptive cruise control, high beam control, and active lane keeping assist as standard. The SEL trim is priced at $25,265.
Lastly, the SEL Premium is at the top of the pack and starts at $27,795. The range-topping trim comes with a R-Line rear bumper, ventilated front seats, an 8.0-inch infotainment system with navigation, and 17-inch two-tone “Tornado Metallic” aluminum-alloy wheels.
Compared to others in the compact segment, the Jetta sits towards the higher end of the spectrum. The base Honda Civic costs $19,730, the Mazda3 carries a price tag of $18,985, the Chevrolet Cruze starts at $17,850, the Ford Focus rings up at $18,825, and the Hyundai Elantra costs $17,835. The new Jetta is cheaper than the Civic, but more expensive than a lot of other competitors.
Volkswagen, though, does offer the Jetta with its People First Warranty that runs for six years or 72,000 miles. Only time will tell if the new warranty and all of the changes that Volkswagen has made to the Jetta will outweigh its higher price tag in the eyes of consumers. The 2019 Jetta will go on sale in the second quarter of this year.
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