The Jetta lives up to its German pedigree with an eminently stable and planted demeanor. Quiet and comfortable at highway speeds, it’s a solid road-trip companion that doesn’t mind being hustled down a back road. Light steering and good visibility combine with punchy turbocharged engines to make for a pleasant, responsive driving experience around town. The base 150-hp 1.4-liter turbocharged four-banger is strong enough for most buyers; the Jetta is quicker with the optional 170-hp 1.8T engine, and the 210-hp 2.0T that’s standard in the performance-oriented GLI makes the Jetta into a true sport compact.
Offsetting the absence of the high-mpg diesel model, the 1.4T engine offers an impressive EPA rating of 40 mpg on the highway when equipped with the standard five-speed manual transmission. Speaking of stick shifts, we appreciate that the Jetta offers a manual with each of its three engine options. That’s changing for 2017, however, as the elimination of the 1.8T Sport model means the manual will be limited to the 1.4T and the GLI.