USED: Need a Premium Sedan on a Tight Budget? The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta Might Be the Ticket
Mary Moore
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And deliver a bit of adventure along the way.
Of course, when shopping for a new vehicle or hitting the road on a new adventure, we want to see and do it all. Premium stereo? Yes, please. 10-Color ambient lighting? Didn’t know I wanted it before but now that I know it exists, it’s a must-have. Just as in life, when choosing a new vehicle it’s typical to want to go “all in.”
However, when looking at what’s available versus what our budget is, sometimes we have to make choices. Hard choices. Then along came the all-new 2019 Volkswagen Jetta and changed all of that. . .
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The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta offers five different trim lines. Photo: Mary Moore
Who This Car is For
- Singles, couples or small families
- Entry-level buyers on a tight budget
- Free-spirit adventurers who like options without a high cost
- Buyers who enjoy the nostalgia of the brand and model
Infotainment on the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. Photo: Mary Moore
Have Your Adventure and Enjoy It Too
With offering a range of five different trim lines, all at different price points, the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta offers a ton of value for the dollar spent, especially on a tight budget. In fact, the all-new Jetta is being introduced to the market this Spring with most of the trim lines costing LESS than the earlier models sold for. But don’t for a minute think that a lower cost means lower value – in fact, it’s quite the opposite.
What This Car Costs
- “S” Manual Transmission: $18,545 starting MSRP
- “S” Automatic Transmission: $19,345 starting MSRP
- “SE” model: $22,155 starting MSRP
- “R-Line” model: $22,995 starting MSRP
- “SEL” model: $24,414 starting MSRP
- “SEL PREMIUM” model: $26,945
The Jetta will be available in an S, SE, R-Line, SEL, and SEL Premium trim line. The most value-driven of these trims, the S, begins with an MSRP of $18,545 and the most elite, the SEL Premium, starts at $26,945 MSRP. But wait until you hear what just under $27K can get you.
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A closer look at the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta | Photo: Mary Moore
A Closer Look at SEL PREMIUM
While all five of the available trim lines have their place on the value spectrum, we are going to focus on the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta SEL Premium Sedan for just a moment because this is where we think you’ll get the most bang for your buck.
The SEL Premium trim line on the all-new Jetta packs quite a punch in terms of standard equipment. Let’s take a look at some of the features ready to come along for the ride, wherever your journey may take you.
What Premium Sedan Travel Feels Like
Being in your car should feel good. Whether it’s because of the adventure that lies ahead or the soft touch of the steering on your hands. For many of us, our vehicles have become an extension of our homes. Therefore, traveling in them should feel just as cozy and personal.
The Jetta SEL Premium comes standard with several options to enhance the driver experience and help us feel comfortable on our ride. For instance, this premium model has a leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel – along with a leather-wrapped gear shift. And when the road starts to feel long, turn to the 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat with memory and lumbar support to help ease the tension. These also come heated in the front and rear to help keep everyone happy.
And finally, when things seem bleak and uninteresting, bring the good vibes back with the included 10-color ambient lighting option. With just a touch of the infotainment screen, the interior lighting can change throughout a rainbow of colors. So go ahead, let your mood shine or have the option to change it to something you like better.
A Look at the 2019 Jetta SEL Premium Infotainment | Photo: Mary Moore
Drive Mode Selection. Because Every Day is a Chance to Have Fun (or Be Economical)
Do you wake up and feel the exact same every day? Always happy? Always adventurous? Always one way or another? No? Me neither. In fact, my mood can honestly change several times throughout the day.
For this reason, when I found that the Jetta SEL Premium came with Drive Mode Selection, I knew it was a good match.
The Drive Mode Selection, standard on both the SEL and SEL Premium lines, allows the driver to tailor their drive experience to their current mood or needs. For instance, with the touch of the button, the vehicle can switch between Normal, Eco, Sport, and Custom modes. The Eco mode is optimized for enhanced fuel economy and the Sport mode offering a more aggressive and tighter drive.
Safety Comes Standard, No Matter the Distance
Even though we’re talking about it towards the end of our list, safety is always a top priority. Whether you’re going cross-country or just keeping things local, it’s always nice to feel in control on the road and ready for whatever may come your way. And because standard safety is where the SEL Premium trim line really shines, let’s talk about them.
Here’s what to look for in the Jetta SEL Premium trim:
- Rearview camera
- Forward Collision Warning with Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist)
- Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
- Lane Keeping System (Lane Assist)
- High Beam Control (Light Assist)
- Dual front and front side airbags, front and rear side curtain airbags
- 3-point seat belts with tensioner height adjustment
- Automatic Post-Collision Braking System
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BeatsAudio now standard in 2019 Jetta SEL and SEL Premium | Photo: Mary Moore
The BeatsAudio Sound System Amplifies Your Adventure
Our vehicles can be a sanctuary to our every day and a great sounding system can be a factor in enhancing our daily commute. Music has a way of altering our mood, creating a personal experience, and making things more memorable. Volkswagen understands this and for the first time ever, they’re adding BeatsAudio to the mix in the 2019 Jetta.
Tuned by musicians to deliver the music the way the artists intended it, BeatsAudio premium audio system comes standard on both the SEL and SEL Premium lines.
Our Spotify playlist showcases what sounds great in the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta
Last, what good is all this without great MPG??? A combined MPG of 35 and seating for up to five people, the Jetta leaves quite a bit of room for exploring our options. And if our path decides to go in a new direction, the Jetta now comes with a 6 year/72,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty. And – it’s transferrable! So if you decide to upgrade your Jetta after a year or three, you can advertise the warranty as a benefit of ownership. Pretty nice.
The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta comes with The People First Warranty | Photo: Mary Moore
Everyone Also Gets App-Connect to Stay Connected on the Road
That warranty is pretty great. But it seems that Volkswagen was in a giving mood in putting together the 2019 Jetta package: they also decided to include App-Connect technology for everyone. No matter which trim you choose, staying connected on the road is easy – and there is no subscription needed. This includes standard smartphone integration supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink.
So even if your car buying appetite doesn’t include demanding a premium trim level on your next car, at least these luxuries will be at hand for making sure you stay connected and don’t get off track on your next adventure. At least, not too far.
Take a Video Tour of the Volkswagen Jetta
Disclosure: I was Volkswagen’s guest for this test drive; travel and accommodations were provided but all opinions are my own.