Now riding on the same MQB platform as the Golf, the Jetta will be offered in five trim levels; S, SE, R-Line, SEL and SEL Premium, with motivation coming from a 1.4-litre TSI developing 110 kW and 250 Nm of torque. An eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox is standard on all models, bar the S which can be had with a six-speed manual.
Priced at $18 545 (R222 984), $100 (R1 202) less than the equivalent outgoing models, the S comes equipped with 16-inch Rama alloy wheels, a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, reverse camera, auto on/off LED headlights, multi-function steering wheel, daytime running LEDs and cloth seats.
An additional $800 (R9 619) gets the aforementioned automatic ‘box while forking out a further $450 (R5 410) nets the Driver Assistance Package that consists of heated mirrors, Rear Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Monitor, Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking.
Stepping one up, the SE builds on the S and not only adds the Driver Assistance Package as standard but comes equipped with a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, push-button start, keyless entry, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob and heated front seats. Pricing for this model is $22 155 (R266 391).
The sporty R-Line, as its name points out, adds a number of model-specific exterior enhancements, namely R-Line front and rear bumpers, a gloss black grille with R-Line badging, black mirrors, 17-inch dark grey Trenton alloy wheels and on the inside, a black roof liner, two-tone black and grey interior and a R-Line steering wheel with contrasting stitching. An XDS electronic front differential is also included in the $22 995 (R276 491) sticker price.
On the luxury side, the SEL starts off at $24 415 (R293 565) and foregoes the 6.5-inch touchscreen display for an eight-inch setup as well as the 10.25-inch Active Info Display, while also featuring a 400-watt Beats Audio sound system, projector LED headlights, rain sense wipers and interior ambient lighting with 10 colours.
Available as an option from mid-year, the SE, R-Line and SEL will also offer a so-called Cold Weather Package for an additional $495 (R5 951), that comes with a heated steering wheel, remote start, heated rear seats and a heated windscreen complete with the same function for the wipers and washer jets.
Priced at $26 945 (R323 986), the flagship SEL Premium comes as standard with the R-Line’s rear bumper and Cold Weather Package, and also adds 17-inch two-tone Tornado Metallic alloy wheels, leather interior with sports front seats which are also ventilated and have a memory function for the driver’s chair and indicators integrated into side mirrors.
Unlike the previous Jetta, the newcomer will not be offered with a diesel engine, although the performance GLI, powered by the same 2.0-litre TSI engine as the Golf GTI, will likely become available early next year.
As previously indicated though, the new Jetta will not be offered in South Africa for the first time in its nearly 40 year production run, due to Volkswagen phasing out right-hand drive in light of soaring compact SUV sales, and a decline in the small sedan market.
