While seemingly spartan in many ways, the Jetta offers a lot for you to like. The cold weather package brings heated seats and windshield washer nozzles. Heated mirrors chase away frosty morning’s lingering crystals, and a flat-bottom steering wheel makes it easier to pretend you’re driving a formula one racer. The simulated leather wrapped steering wheel features volume and cruise control buttons, as well as paddle shifters on equipped models. Two tone seats on some trims add a sporty look, even if you didn’t spring for the zippier GLI trim.
Rear passengers are treated to a larger-than-expected seating area with a 12-volt adapter in the back, so they don’t need to beg front-dwellers to charge their electronics. Headroom is ample for front and rear seat passengers up to, and slightly over, six feet.
Lower trim Jettas roll on 16-inch steel wheels with hubcaps. Unlike many competitors, the Jetta comes equipped with a spare tire, albeit a temporary one.
All Jettas come standard with a backup camera, a pricey safety add-on for some other budget-minded competitors in this class, and the touchscreen sound system which supports CD, SD card, auxiliary input, and Bluetooth to play audio from your phone or other Bluetooth device. The Fender audio sound system upgrade will please all, but the most discerning audiophiles and these multimedia units support both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
A satisfying snick-snick short-throw five speed transmission is standard, with a six speed Tiptronic auto available for about $1,000 more. The Tiptronic enables manual shifting without needing a clutch. Tiptronic shifting is a simple upshift or downshift selection, and auto mode includes a sport option for more spirited automatic shifting.
In keeping with its affordable price tag, the 2017 Jetta brings fuel savings as well. Highway mileage is as high as 40 mpg and the German sedan darts around the cities and burbs at 28 mpg. There’s no need for premium go-juice with this Jetta. Unlike previous model years, the 2017 Jetta runs like 150 ponies, 210 in the GLI, and when it stops to drink, less expensive regular unleaded gas will quench its thirst.
A padded-top center storage console is large enough to stash the biggest of cell phones or whatever small items you might wish to hide from curious peekers. A handy built-in USB charger in the center pod provides an easy way to charge your phone, with a small cubby for secure storage.
Competitors to the Jetta include Volkswagen’s own Golf hatchback and mid-size Passat, as well as the Honda Civic, which has grown into a larger car in recent years.
Image via Volkswagen Canada
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