What to look for when buying a used Volkswagen Jetta?

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is completely new, from the ground up. Redesigned to improve comfort and spaciousness, this new Jetta also begins a return back to the car's original roots as a more precision driver with an upscale feel. In short, the 2019 Jetta is a big improvement over the previous-generation's somewhat lacking personality.

The Jetta is now longer and wider than its predecessor with a much longer wheelbase and shorter overhangs. This improves handling and maneuverability as well as vehicle balance and interior roominess. Styling is more distinctive as well. Inside, a more contemporary, premium appeal has been added to the Jetta.

What hasn't changed is the overall powertrain and the option for a six-speed manual transmission. VW enthusiasts will be glad for that. We also note that the fuel economy of the new Jetta is slightly better than before, despite gaining size and weight. VW enthusiasts will also be happy to hear that a sporty GLI variant is on its way for the 2019 Jetta, though it wasn't released at the time of this writing.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is a compact sedan that seats up to five and comes in five trim levels. The engine and transmissions remain the same throughout the trim points and advanced safety systems are available at all trim levels.

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The four-door Volkswagen Jetta sedan has an unbeatable mix of roominess, affordability and a solid driving experience unlike anything available at similar prices from automakers in Japan and North America. Volkswagen has managed to stick it out in the US market through good and bad sales years.

Now many are questioning if Volkswagen has the stuff to bounce back from the recent Dieselgate scandal that robbed the brand of one of its most popular and fuel efficient powertrains. Admittedly it appears that Volkswagen may manage to survive thanks to a high-margin three-row SUV called the Atlas, which will no doubt appeal to buyers of the Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, Kia Sorento and GMC Acadia. But will Volkswagen's core fan base, which is fanatical about performance versions of the Jetta sedan and Golf hatchback, be swayed?

It's doubtful that those who love their GTI and Jetta GLI sport sedans will suddenly long for a rather large family SUV unless situational matters force them to sell their fun car. And, oh yes, the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta GLI tested here is a whole lot of fun.

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The 2014 Volkswagen Jetta is a model that may seem to some new car buyers as a somewhat long in the tooth design that perhaps has seen more appealing days in previous generations of this iconic three box German sedan. The Jetta was created, quite simply, when Volkswagen decided that its top selling hatchback Rabbit needed a cousin in the lineup just with a trunk. And while the formula has changed and the Rabbit is now known as the Golf in the United States finally, the Jetta has remained pretty true to its formula even when now and again bad luck befell this still loved compact.

First there have been quality issues in the past that have put off buyers, the cost of repair and maintenance (part of why VW gives 2 years/24,000 complementary service and now has a parts and manufacturing site in Tennessee) but the biggest betrayal to Jetta loyalists had to be the latest redesign which saw the interior cheapened, a moaning 5-cylinder engine which you never wanted to push very hard made standard and most disturbingly the usual Germanic driving fun was somehow missing.

Volkswagen did have a point; the latest Jetta has been a sales success even with some slight interior built backsliding mainly because they also made it much cheaper to buy. And quite frankly, the Jetta's interior as it is may now look a tad plain and Spartan but we really aren't sure we could ask for more from VW given our SE tester tested out at only $18,895 with air conditioning, power everything, cruise, Sirius XM radio, an AM/FM/CD/Aux input jack audio system with surprisingly fine sound and a handy USB/i-Pod connectivity cable in the center cubby. Features like Bluetooth, moonroof, navigation, full leather, alloy wheels and a 6-speed automatic are all available.

Wait, what? Yes, you read that right. The 2014 Volkswagen Jetta is not only available with either a 5-speed manual (our test model was so equipped) and that autobox but the car was treated to a new entry level engine in the form of the now class-leading 1.8 liter turbocharged 170 horsepower/184 lb. feet of torque 4-cylinder that simply out powers and outperforms the competition. When it comes to base engines no one can compete for driving fun—not Civic, Corolla, Forte, Elantra, Cruze, Focus, Dart or wait...there is one. The slightly pricier 2014 Mazda3 is quite simply a hoot and a half to drive, has an amazingly perfect manual gearbox option, has a more modern interior but still it goes without the VW's motor which might force us to make a purchase decision based on Eeenine, Meanie, Minie, Moe.

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The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta continues a long and storied history of the German-engineered compact sedan, dating back to its inception in 1979. The Jetta is still in the sixth generation of production, known as Volkswagen's New Compact Sedan (NCS) line, which began in 2010.  This model year continues the hybrid line of the Jetta as well as maintaining the diesel option in the standard line.

One of the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta is the cost-cutting measure that needed to be taken in the North American versions. Volkswagen needed to make the model cheaper to produce in order to compete with the rival Toyota Corolla in the North American market. This led to some corner-cutting on interior materials quality and it shows in several of the reviews.

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