Topic: Day-by-Day Review: 2014 Volkswagen Jetta 1.8TSI Highline

[Autos_Editor]

James steps into a Volkswagen Jetta with their new-for-2014 1.8T powertrain, but will it be enough to overcome the plain looks and beige interior?
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[quadzilla]

Will be following along to see what James thinks of the engine/transmission as this will be in the 2015 Golfs which I'm more interested in. Any chance you can get it flashed while you have the car. 

[Blueprint]

Drove the same press car not too long ago. Beige interior looks good, but maybe for 2 mins, after that it's dirty!

As usual with recent VWs, the soft brake pedal gives away a weird message, but the brakes do work. There's a stop-sale for that engine / tranny combo (oïl cooler leak), but it ran fine when we had it. The power reminded me of my 1.8t Passat, lots of torque and plenty of juice.

[bombastic]

There's a stop-sale for that engine / tranny combo (oïl cooler leak), but it ran fine when we had it.

Are you referring to the old 1.8T engine? This is a new one and has nothing to do with the old one except the same displacement.

[OliverD]

I actually like the brown, would choose it over beige, silver, or grey.

[dkaz]

The brown Jetta was one of the three finalists in my car buying decision. This 1.8 TSI was a year too late.

[Noto]

Base price: $26,890

In a compact, that's about $2,000 too brutal, even without the $1,500 package.  When the near-base Corollas and Civics include a backup camera, how can they still justify requiring these 'top of the line' packages to get one?  It'll soon change for the upcoming 2018 mandate.

I just have an issue with the exterior blandness and the interior hard plasticness.  I don't deny that its competitors tend to also be hard plastics all over inside, but the Jetta's just feels cheaper and harder than all others, in my experience.

If they could use nicer interior materials, especially for the rear area side walls, I'd 'maybe' consider it a decent value at $26k given its size, powertrain, and handling abilities.

...and then there's the question of reliability.

[mlin32]

VW should have put in the 6 or 7-speed DSG while they were updating the drivetrain. I've driven the Jetta and the Tiguan with the 6-speed automatic and it's mediocre at best......slushy and not as efficient as a dual-clutch. But hey, it's engineered to a price point......

[quadzilla]

Are we going to go through this pricing crap again? You DON'T have to buy top trim models, there is NO LAW saying you have to.

Trendline $14,990
Trendline+ $17,190
Comfortline $20,090
Highline $25,490

[carcrazed]

Are we going to go through this pricing crap again? You DON'T have to buy top trim models, there is NO LAW saying you have to.

Trendline $14,990
Trendline+ $17,190
Comfortline $20,090
Highline $25,490

I agree.  IMO Comfortline is the sweet spot for best value.

[OliverD]

Are we going to go through this pricing crap again? You DON'T have to buy top trim models, there is NO LAW saying you have to.

Trendline $14,990
Trendline+ $17,190
Comfortline $20,090
Highline $25,490

This x1000.

[OliverD]

Base price: $26,890

In a compact, that's about $2,000 too brutal, even without the $1,500 package.  When the near-base Corollas and Civics include a backup camera, how can they still justify requiring these 'top of the line' packages to get one?  It'll soon change for the upcoming 2018 mandate.

I just have an issue with the exterior blandness and the interior hard plasticness.  I don't deny that its competitors tend to also be hard plastics all over inside, but the Jetta's just feels cheaper and harder than all others, in my experience.

If they could use nicer interior materials, especially for the rear area side walls, I'd 'maybe' consider it a decent value at $26k given its size, powertrain, and handling abilities.

...and then there's the question of reliability.

The Jetta has always been a half-step (or even a full step) above other compacts like the Civic and Corolla. To expect it not to be more expensive doesn't make sense, especially when it offers a more powerful engine than the competition.

The Jetta's interior has also improved since this model debuted. The '14 is quite nice IMO.

[PJ]

Are we going to go through this pricing crap again? You DON'T have to buy top trim models, there is NO LAW saying you have to.

Trendline $14,990
Trendline+ $17,190
Comfortline $20,090
Highline $25,490

Do they use the 1.8T in the cheaper versions?

[OliverD]

Are we going to go through this pricing crap again? You DON'T have to buy top trim models, there is NO LAW saying you have to.

Trendline $14,990
Trendline+ $17,190
Comfortline $20,090
Highline $25,490

Do they use the 1.8T in the cheaper versions?

It's available in the Comfortline and Highline.

[quadzilla]

Are we going to go through this pricing crap again? You DON'T have to buy top trim models, there is NO LAW saying you have to.

Trendline $14,990
Trendline+ $17,190
Comfortline $20,090
Highline $25,490

Just for reference, the 2012 Corolla XRS (which had the more powerful engine and was the last year produced) started at $24,840

[Noto]

Are we going to go through this pricing crap again? You DON'T have to buy top trim models, there is NO LAW saying you have to.

Trendline $14,990
Trendline+ $17,190
Comfortline $20,090
Highline $25,490

Do they use the 1.8T in the cheaper versions?

It's available in the Comfortline and Highline.

Yes, this pricing sh!t again.

Stop quoting sh!t trims as "reasonable" and "a step above".  The $20,090 comfortline you refer to has the 2.0L 115hp engine and a manual transmission.  To get the 1.8T and automatic is $23,690.  Rear-view camera is ONLY available on Highline trim, and then, not even standard.  So, yes, the Comfortline 1.8T is a step ahead for powertrain (though styling is now years behind even last gen's Corolla), and on a $4,000 premium over a Corolla, or $5,000 premium over a Civic, both of which have backup cameras, the powertrain is a very pricey proposition.  The rest of the car doesn't scream premium in any respect over the new Corolla, Mazda 3, or Forte, and I would argue is barely on par with the Impreza or Civic or Elantra.

"available" options (or base trims) when their uptake is <10% is hardly what I'd consider representative of sales and therefore cannot be considered "reasonable".

...and as for "you don't have to buy...", well, I don't have to buy a VW at all - and based on their pricing, which I find to be significantly higher than its competition, I haven't and won't buy a VW.  Nor will I recommend one to anyone.

At a $2,000 price drop (for the Jetta in particular), I would consider them again.

I feel the same way about the Focus - great car, but I can't recommend it to anyone based on its pricing (and "big discount" strategies keep people out of the showrooms in the first place).

[OliverD]

And yet both the Jetta and Focus sell in large numbers, so people are clearly willing to pay a premium for those cars.

[tortoise]

I could care less if my car has a backup camera.

A smooth shifting 6 speed and a 1.8 with a turbo, now those are things I do care about.

[tpl]

VW should have put in the 6 or 7-speed DSG while they were updating the drivetrain. I've driven the Jetta and the Tiguan with the 6-speed automatic and it's mediocre at best......slushy and not as efficient as a dual-clutch. But hey, it's engineered to a price point......

Having owned a  DSG in a GTI for 5 years I think that they should use it as the ONLY automatic transmission and just get rid of the VW slushbox.   Although I might make an exception for the new VAG ( ZF) 8 speed which is IIRC also the transmission in some BMWs now.

[dkaz]

With the edit: 2012 and 2013 Mazda 3, the Skyactiv engine was only available in the mid level GS which ranged from $19,695 for the base GS sedan manual all the way to $25,390 for a GS Sport (5 door) with moonroof, leather, touring package, and automatic transmission. The Skyactiv models made up about 53% of Mazda 3 sales.

My 2012 Mazda 3 GS sedan with moonroof and leather package MSRP'ed at $21,890. At the time the cheapest Jetta TDI was $23,500 I think for the Trendline+, I see it's dropped to $22,490 now. I would've had to forego a lot of features compared to the Mazda 3. They did a decent enough job with the rear torsion beam setup but the multi link rear setup was noticeably better in the 2014 I drove. Steering was German good either way.

If I were car shopping today, the $22,290 Comfortline 1.8TSI manual would be my trim of choice.

And let's call the base engine for what it is, the 2.Slow. The only thing quick about it is the fuel consumption.