The Jetta is at the dealership for a sticking ignition tumbler, they are having to keep it until Monday and provided a loaner upon request. It is a 2017 Jetta SE (mid trim level) with only 300 miles on the clock. The current SE uses the new (to the U.S.) 1.4 TSI and 6 speed auto. It comes with lots of nice features that the 2014 SE doesn't have. Extra features include heated seats, sunroof, touch screen interface, push to start, blind spot monitoring, aluminum wheels (no steelies with hub caps), led running lights and updated front facia and tail lights. You get a lot of bang for your buck in the current Jetta.
Driving impressions are positive overall, it handles just like the 2014 in my sig. I did notice the brakes don't bite as hard as the 2014, this could be due to design change or they may still be breaking in. I noticed the transmission seems to disengage at a stop, so when you let off the brake the torque converter re-engages and you lurch forward an inch or so, sometimes it is smoother than others. This is how the 2014 behaved when new, but VW updated the software and it no longer does this (thankfully). It's just not smooth in its execution. Also notable, I didn't feel the familiar grab of the brakes on hills via hill assist. This is a feature on the 2014 that is indeed nice to have in some circumstances, but it is pretty intrusive in others. I guess its possible the 2017 does have hill assist, maybe VW just programmed it to be less noticeable.
As I mentioned earlier, starting in 2016 VW introduced the 1.4 TSI to replace the 2.0 (2.slow) on the Jetta S model. They also ended up replaced the 1.8 TSI on the SE and now reserve that motor for SEL trims only. I heard from various sources that the 1.4 TSI feels the same around town as the 1.8 TSI since they both have 184 Ib feet of torque. Well, I have to disagree. You can tell the difference around town and on the interstate. The 1.4 has to rev out more to keep you going yet feels less powerful, the car ends up changing gears more vs. the 1.8 to keep up. Now, its hardly a slouch. Remember, this is a car that competes with the Corolla and Civic but even equipped with the 1.4 I'd have to say it would take either a Corolla or Civic, although the new Civic with the 1.5 turbo might give it a run for its money. I do like the engine, I found it quiet and smooth and it returns excellent MPG. Having said that, I am glad the 2014 in my sig has the 1.8 TSI, it certainly feels more potent and IMO allows the car to feel a class above what it is.
Something else that may be worth noting was the transmission. Im sure this all has to do with programming as both the 2014 and 2017 use the same unit, but the 2017 does seem to shift smoother. The transmission on the Jetta in my sig does feel a bit clunky at times especially in city driving, the unit on the 2017 was smoother in most situations. It did get confused a couple times and would downshift and quickly rev the engine out even though my throttle input was not asking for that much power. This could be just because the computer was learning a new driver though.
Thats pretty much it, my impressions were very positive. VW offers a lot of features for the money in the current Jetta, this may be due to the fact that the Jetta is due for a refresh and VW doesn't want customers going elsewhere, so they are packing it full of features at a lower price point to keep sales up. Regardless of reason I think its a great car that most certainly should be on your list if you are in the market for a "compact" car. I say "compact" because the Jetta is so spacious, it feels more like a midsize. With that I say goodnight and God bless, hope you enjoy my little review!
Driving impressions are positive overall, it handles just like the 2014 in my sig. I did notice the brakes don't bite as hard as the 2014, this could be due to design change or they may still be breaking in. I noticed the transmission seems to disengage at a stop, so when you let off the brake the torque converter re-engages and you lurch forward an inch or so, sometimes it is smoother than others. This is how the 2014 behaved when new, but VW updated the software and it no longer does this (thankfully). It's just not smooth in its execution. Also notable, I didn't feel the familiar grab of the brakes on hills via hill assist. This is a feature on the 2014 that is indeed nice to have in some circumstances, but it is pretty intrusive in others. I guess its possible the 2017 does have hill assist, maybe VW just programmed it to be less noticeable.
As I mentioned earlier, starting in 2016 VW introduced the 1.4 TSI to replace the 2.0 (2.slow) on the Jetta S model. They also ended up replaced the 1.8 TSI on the SE and now reserve that motor for SEL trims only. I heard from various sources that the 1.4 TSI feels the same around town as the 1.8 TSI since they both have 184 Ib feet of torque. Well, I have to disagree. You can tell the difference around town and on the interstate. The 1.4 has to rev out more to keep you going yet feels less powerful, the car ends up changing gears more vs. the 1.8 to keep up. Now, its hardly a slouch. Remember, this is a car that competes with the Corolla and Civic but even equipped with the 1.4 I'd have to say it would take either a Corolla or Civic, although the new Civic with the 1.5 turbo might give it a run for its money. I do like the engine, I found it quiet and smooth and it returns excellent MPG. Having said that, I am glad the 2014 in my sig has the 1.8 TSI, it certainly feels more potent and IMO allows the car to feel a class above what it is.
Something else that may be worth noting was the transmission. Im sure this all has to do with programming as both the 2014 and 2017 use the same unit, but the 2017 does seem to shift smoother. The transmission on the Jetta in my sig does feel a bit clunky at times especially in city driving, the unit on the 2017 was smoother in most situations. It did get confused a couple times and would downshift and quickly rev the engine out even though my throttle input was not asking for that much power. This could be just because the computer was learning a new driver though.
Thats pretty much it, my impressions were very positive. VW offers a lot of features for the money in the current Jetta, this may be due to the fact that the Jetta is due for a refresh and VW doesn't want customers going elsewhere, so they are packing it full of features at a lower price point to keep sales up. Regardless of reason I think its a great car that most certainly should be on your list if you are in the market for a "compact" car. I say "compact" because the Jetta is so spacious, it feels more like a midsize. With that I say goodnight and God bless, hope you enjoy my little review!
