Unveiling repackaged Volkswagen Jetta

The Jetta’s (with Car DVD) slow and inefficient base engine has finally been shown the door, replaced by a modern, small turbocharged four-cylinder in the S and SE trim levels. Every Jetta also gets a new touch screen interface, while advanced accident avoidance tech is added to the options list. Finally, the diesel-powered Jetta TDI will be unavailable for much or all of 2016 as Volkswagen corrects the car’s non-compliant emissions system.

Volkswagen is still trying to figure out what to do with the diesel-powered engine in the 2016 Jetta TDI model after it was discovered the company has been cheating in emissions testing.

The new turbocharged 1.4-litre engine replaces last year’s wheezy 2.0-litre four-cylinder base engine. Really, from the new 1.4 all the way up to the GLI’s turbo 2.0-litre and the nifty gas-electric alchemy of the Hybrid, the Jetta’s engine lineup is uniquely sophisticated and compelling in this generally value-oriented segment.

For 2016, all of the VW Jetta’s available engines are turbocharged to provide excellent power and fuel economy.

Alas, the rest of the Jetta isn’t quite as great. In the past, the Jetta provided better refinement than the Civics and Corollas. Its interior was of a higher quality and the driver experience was closer to a German sport sedan than a typical “economy” car. The current Jetta represents a shift toward more of a Costco philosophy of getting the biggest product for the least amount of money. Indeed, the Jetta has more cabin and trunk space than its competitors, but it doesn’t feel quite as special as it used to. There’s a whiff of cost-cutting here that was absent from previous models, and that makes the car harder to recommend.

On the bright side, this year’s Jetta boasts an up-to-date tech interface with Smartphone integration. But given how competitive some other compact sedans have become, it’s hard to overlook the Jetta’s lacklustre handling and bland interior design. Top-rated competitors like the Ford Focus, Honda Civic and Mazda 3 have aped the old Jetta playbook while in some cases providing more features for the money. What about install a Car DVD Player

The 2016 Volkswagen Jetta is available in a variety of trim levels and engine choices: 1.4T S, 1.4T SE, 1.8T Sport and 1.8T SEL. There are also GLI and Hybrid trims available.

Standard equipment on the Jetta S includes 15-inch steel wheels, air-conditioning, full power accessories, keyless entry, heated mirrors, cruise control, a height-adjustable driver seat, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, 60/40-split rear seats, cloth upholstery, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and a four-speaker sound system with a 5-inch touch screen interface, a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack. The S Technology package adds a rear-view camera, a 6.3-inch touchscreen, a USB port, a media player interface, satellite radio and VW Car-Net smartphone integration, which includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

The Jetta SE includes all of the above plus 16-inch alloy wheels, push-button start, heated windshield washer nozzles, heated front seats and a front centre armrest. The SE Connectivity package adds a sunroof, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, driver lumbar adjustment, “V-Tex” premium vinyl upholstery, a rear centre armrest and a six-speaker sound system with an enhanced Car-Net system. If installing a VW navigation in your car, that would be great!