It’s easy to overlook Volkswagen’s lineup these days, considering the hot water that company has found itself in with Dieselgate, but the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta is a confident step in the right direction. A great, gasoline-powered base engine steals the headlines for this economical sedan, but the handsome interior, spacious back seat and trunk, and a new touchscreen interface also impress us.
The outgoing Jetta employed a 2.0-liter base engine, but in 2016 Volkswagen introduced a turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder, which improves both power and fuel economy. Increases of 35 horsepower and 59 lb-ft of torque, for a total of 150 hp and 184 lb-ft, make its 28 mpg city/ 40 highway rating even more appealing. What’s more, the new engine offers up all that power at low RPMs and maintains it as the tachometer's needle climbs.
Inside the Jetta, Volkswagen has finally included a USB port. The infotainment system pairs seamlessly with cell phones, offering Google’s Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on a 6.3-inch touchscreen.
Like many German sedans, the interior is relatively austere; while some find it underwhelming, we see it as timeless in style. The back seat features great legroom, and the 15.7-cubic-foot trunk is downright capacious.
If Dieselgate had you looking elsewhere, the 2016 Jetta is a compelling reason to turn your eyes back to the Volkswagen. Read more on CarGurus: cargur.us/83dpW
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