2016 Volkswagen Jetta 1.4T SE Review by Carey Russ

Small displacement is beautiful in the case of Volkswagen's new 1.4-liter direct-injected turbocharged engine in the 2016 Jetta

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS

               • SEE ALSO: Volkswage Research and Buyers Guide

2016 Volkswagen 1.4T SE

There are important changes to the Volkswagen Jetta for 2016. VW has long been known for evolutionary rather than revolutionary product development, with more changes under the skin that to that skin. Back in the 1950s, when American cars were changed outside, often radically, nearly every year, VW made its reputation with the Type 1 / Beetle / Bug sedan that changed very little, at least compared to the domestic offerings, from its inception to its final demise. So it's no surprise that the 2016 VW Jetta looks little different from the 2015 one, or even a 2011 model, the first model year for the current generation.

Under the familiar styling, there have been numerous changes for the better. Styling details have changed, too, but not in any major way. Most importantly for 2016, the previous base-model 2.0-liter, 115-horsepower, 125 lb-ft four-cylinder engine is history, replaced by a 1.4-liter turbocharged four. If its 150 hp is less than the upmarket 1.8T's 170, its 184 lb-ft of torque is the same. And as the old saying goes, horsepower may be what you brag about, but torque is what you feel. In most legal road situations, it feels just as strong and quick as the 1.8T.

Inside, there's a new infotainment system with a greater degree of connectivity than previously, supporting Apple CarPlay®, Google Android Auto™, and MirrorLink®. All models have the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, and there are other enhancements to standard equipment throughout the line. The high-performance GLI gets new, sportier front and rear styling.

2016 Volkswagen 1.4T SE

Trim levels with the new 1.4T engine are S, S with Technology, and SE. Standard equipment level is high, with the S getting Bluetooth and USB connectivity, a touchscreen-based sound system, air conditioning, cruise control, a trip computer, and a 60/40 folding rear seat as some of its standard equipment. The S with Technology adds the VW Car Net system, a rearview camera, and Sirius/XM satellite radio. The SE adds pushbutton start/stop, alloy wheels, and heated front seats to that.

The Jetta Sport gets the 170-hp 1.8T engine, a firmer suspension tuning, 17-inch alloy wheels, and the full VW Car Net suite of apps and navigation, plus leatherette upholstery. For maximum performance, the GLI has a 2.0-liter turbo engine with 210 hp and 207 lb-ft matched to a six-speed manual or automated sequential-shift DSG gearbox, plus all of the convenience, connectivity, and luxury appointments in the VW catalog. Want maximum fuel economy with your Jetta? That would be the Hybrid, with a gasoline-electric hybrid system based on the 1.4T engine, the DSG gearbox, and a high level of standard appointment.

The first thing I noticed about the Jetta SE 1.4T upon driving it was torque. Up to maybe 45 mph, acceleration was as good as from the 1.8 turbo. Compared to the old 2.0, well, no comparison. That one was, for performance, two-point-no… Perusing specifications, the 1.4 is about a second slower to 60 mph, at 8.5 seconds. But it uses less fuel, 31 mpg for my week compared to 29 from a 2015 SE with the 1.8T. Pricewise, the MSRP on this one was less than the 2014. Compared to most other compact sedans, the Jetta is still more fun and engaging to drive, even with the automatic. A suspension that balances comfort and responsive control, and a well-designed and spacious for the class interior -- with all of the contemporary basic electronic conveniences -- make the 2016 VW Jetta one of the best compact sedans.

APPEARANCE: Jetta styling was refreshed last year, with a new three horizontal slat grille and redesigned lower bumper fascia with a larger intake. These changes are more than cosmetic, as, with additional underbody cladding, changes to the rain channels near the windshield and trunk lid reduce aerodynamic drag for greater fuel efficiency. At the rear, the taillights are more angular, as are the lines of the trunk and bumper fascia. The styling changes make for a subtly toned look.

COMFORT: An interior refresh last year saw redesigned instruments and vent controls and new trim, with "aluminum" plastic bezels around the instruments, vents, and stack controls and gloss "piano black" facing. Styling is recognizably Volkswagen, simple and clean, with a look a class or two above the price point. The leather-wrapped, flat-bottomed steering wheel has cruise, audio, and information system controls and is adjustable for both tilt and reach. Courtesy lights are a welcome feature after dark. The manually-adjustable, cloth-upholstered front seats offer a high degree of comfort and support, and the driver's is height-adjustable. Both are heatable.

The MIB II infotainment system is new this year, with AM, FM, and Sirius/XM radio, USB and jack connections, a CD slot, and Apple CarPlay, Google Android Auto, and MirrorLink via a suitable Bluetooth phone. There is a reasonable amount of interior storage, with bottle holders and storage in all doors, open and covered console spaces, a large, two-level glovebox, and even overhead sunglasses space. The rear seat offers good room for the car's size. As is usual, the rear bench is contoured for outboard passengers, but the moderate center tunnel helps center space. The back folds 60/40, and the trunk offers plenty of capacity and low liftover. A space-saver spare in found under the trunk floor.

SAFETY: The Jetta's unibody structure is designed and built for optimum safety, with controlled deformation in a collision. Frontal, front-seat side, and full-length side curtain airbags add further passive protection. Four-wheel antilock disc brakes plus electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), hydraulic brake assist (HBA), and electronic stability control (ESC) add further protection. If a crash does happen, the Intelligent Crash Response System (ICRS) unlocks the doors, shuts off the fuel pump, and activated the hazard lights.

RIDE AND HANDLING: Ride quality and handling far above the class norms have been longstanding Volkswagen characteristics. That hasn't changed. Spring and damper rates are well-matched, giving a supple, comfortable ride with good grip even on poor surfaces. Body roll in hard street-driving cornering is not excessive and the electrically-assisted steering is not overly light. It's more "sport-touring" than "sports", but those who want sport in their Jetta will get the 1.8T Sport or GLI, so no problem.

PERFORMANCE: 1.4 liters is 85 cubic inches is not a large engine by today's measures. But direct fuel injection and turbocharging mean that it hits far above its size, making 150 horsepower (at 5000 rpm) and 184 lb-ft of torque (at 1400 rpm, and not dropping off much after that). Turbo plus direct injection is increasingly common in the industry today, but Volkswagen Group has been developing the technology for the past decade. Direct injection of a precise amount of fuel at the correct time means more power from less fuel, and turbocharging is a means of creating greater "virtual displacement" by increasing the amount of air pumped through the engine. Unlike VW's older turbo engines, which used cast iron blocks, the 1.4's block is made of cast aluminum, so the Jetta 1.4T weighs over 100 pounds less than one with the 1.8T, further improving efficiency -- and handling and braking.

The five-speed manual is likely more fun than the six-speed automatic in my test car, but with the huge amount of torque available at pretty much any common engine speed, shifting is not something especially necessary, so the automatic worked just fine. The car felt as quick as a 1.8 up to around 45 mph, and very little slower after that. 0-60 time increases by about a second, and yes, the transmission does downshift on acceleration at highway speeds -- unsurprising considering the 0.67 overdrive for 6th gear. That sure helps highway fuel economy, which I found to be usually between 33 and 35 mpg at 70 or so mph. (not even the fast lane here). Around town? Mid-twenties to low thirties, for a 31 mpg average for the week. No complaint there!

CONCLUSIONS: Small displacement is beautiful in the case of Volkswagen's new 1.4-liter direct-injected turbocharged engine in the 2016 Jetta.

SPECIFICATIONS

2016 Volkswagen Jetta 1.4T SE

Base Price $ 20,095

Price As Tested $ 20,915

Engine Type turbocharged and intercooled aluminum alloy 16-valve DOHC inline 4-cylinder with variable cam phasing

Engine Size 1.4 liters / 85 cu. in.

Horsepower 150 @ 5000 rpm

Torque (lb-ft) 184 @ 1400 rpm

Transmission 6-speed automatic

Wheelbase / Length 104.4 in. / 183.3 in.

Curb Weight 3025 lbs. Pounds Per Horsepower 20.2 Fuel Capacity 14.5 gal. Fuel Requirement 91 octane unleaded premium for best performance, 87 octane unleaded regular acceptable Tires 205/55 R16 91H Bridgestone Ecopia 422+ m_s Brakes, front/rear vented disc / solid disc, ABS, EBD, ESC standard Suspension, front/rear independent strut / independent multilink Drivetrain transverse front engine, front-wheel drive

PERFORMANCE

EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon city / highway / observed 28 / 39 / 31

0 to 60 mph 8.5 sec

OPTIONS AND CHARGES

Destination Charge $ 820