    2015 Volkswagen Jetta TDI. Click image to enlarge |
Originally published September 2, 2014
Review and photos by Peter Bleakney
Middleburg, Virginia – Arriving now in Canadian Volkswagen dealerships is the 2015 Jetta, a car that the VW press release trumpets as a “new model”. We won’t go that far. You’ll be hard pressed to tell the difference between this car and the 2014 model, such is the subtle refreshing of the front and rear fascias. The Passat-ish snout does indeed look a bit cleaner, and according to VW this new Jetta cuts through the air better too, helped along by new underbody panels and active grille shutters.
The real giveaway for this 2015 refresh will be the available bi-xenon headlights with requisite LED bling that gives the front end some extra sparkle.
Inside we see a few light brushstrokes too – new air vents, a nice piano-black-trimmed multifunction steering wheel and chrome-ringed instruments. Higher trim levels get ambient lighting, more chrome accents and piano black trim.
So visually, the 2015 Jetta takes a few baby steps towards a more premium experience. And so it has been with this latest generation Jetta that bowed as a 2011 model.
That car took heat for some blatant cost-cutting that burdened it with a hard plastic dash, rear drum brakes and a twist-beam rear suspension. Now all Jettas sport independent rear suspension, four-wheel disc brakes and, with the exception of the Trendline models, dashes rendered in soft touch plastics.
Go for the entry-level Trendline that bows at $14,990 and you’ll be powered by VW’s ancient 115-hp, 2.0L naturally aspirated eight-valve inline-four that came over on the Hindenburg and apparently cannot be killed.
They say when Armageddon hits, cockroaches will rule the world. My money is on this Vee-Dub 12-valve 2.0L four-pot.
But that bit of Precambrian hardware is not why we’re here in the beautiful rolling countryside of northern Virginia. The biggest news in Jetta-land is the implementation of VW’s all new EA288 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel turbo-diesel engine. The only thing carried over are the bore-centre measurements – those big machines that mill the holes in the blocks are bloody expensive, ya know.
Horsepower jumps from 140 to 150 horsepower, torque output remains a prodigious 236 lb-ft from 1,750 to 3,000 rpm and fuel economy is predicted to improve by seven percent. According to the new 5-cycle testing recently adopted by Transport Canada, the 2015 Jetta TDI with six-speed DSG returns 7.5 L/100 km city, 5.3 highway and 6.5 combined. The six-speed manual car is 7.7 city, 5.2 highway and 6.5 combined.
The big impetus behind this new oil burner is a more cost-effective modular construction and reduced emissions. With regards to the latter, the clever head design incorporates built-in “header” plumbing for faster warm up, trick variable valve timing, new injectors and a fuel delivery system that ramps up the max pressure from the previous 1,600 bar to 2,000 bar.
The biggest contributor to the cleanliness of this engine, which now exceeds North American Bin 5 and Euro 6 emission requirements, is the addition of an AdBlue exhaust treatment system – one these VW diesel four-bangers had previously done without.
Other cool technical bits include an intercooler built into the intake manifold, and all the exhaust gas treatment hardware, including the AdBlue, are nestled right against the engine.
Out on these smooth and winding roads through Virginia’s affluent horse country (where we had to keep our speeds in check for fear of the overly diligent local constabulary) both the six-speed manual and six-speed DSG (twin-clutch automatic) equipped 2015 Jetta TDIs showed their stuff… stuff that we here at Autos.ca like.
To be sure, the Jetta is not the most exciting car to gaze upon, both inside and out, but once on the move it displays a level of maturity, refinement and power delivery that is a step up from the competition. Factor in an impressive marriage of ride compliance and handling poise, and you’ve got a darned convincing argument for all this German engineering hoopla.
  2015 Volkswagen Jetta TDI. Click image to enlarge |
Without having the previous generation TDI engine there for comparison, it’s hard to say if this new one is markedly different. It’s still a bit gravelly when stepping off, but once underway it pushes the Jetta down the road quietly and effortlessly. Combine the Jetta’s fine steering with a hushed cabin and all that torque, and it’s pretty easy to get a decent pace going along these sinuous roads.
Somewhat dull interior styling aside, VW ensures all the touch points are in order. The seats show the expected blend of comfort and support and the steering wheel is a delight. The controls are large and logical and work with quality precision. Kudos for the clear backlit major gauges too, but the smallish LCD screen falls behind much of the competition. As does VW’s practice of not including a USB port. They say you just need to get a cord with the USB connector. They also say the company has 40,000 engineers. Maybe one of those fellers can whip up a USB port on his lunch hour.
Volkswagen includes a new suite of safety kit in the 2015 Jetta Highline models. Forward collision warning uses radar to sense potential crashy situations, then alerts the driver with visual and audible warnings. Rear cross traffic alert helps with backing out of tight spots and will apply the brakes if necessary. Also included is blind spot detection. VW will gauge customer interest in these driver’s aids to see if it’s worth offering them on the Comfortline and Trendline trims.
   2015 Volkswagen Jetta TDI gauges, centre stack, engine bay. Click image to enlarge |
The Jetta’s upright architecture translates to good outward visibility, generous room for two in the back and a good sized trunk.
Also on hand to drive here were 2015 Jettas equipped with the new-last-year 170-hp 1.8L direct-injection gasoline turbo-four (TSI). This is a honey of an engine – smooth, torquey and efficient. It replaces the thirsty and gruff 2.5L five-cylinder, and wisely, it runs on regular grade fuel.
The 2015 Jetta 1.8 TSI starts at $20,690 for the Trendline+ with five-speed manual transmission, and runs to the leather-lined Highline from $25,990.
  2015 Volkswagen Jetta TDI taillight, . Click image to enlarge |
Getting into 2015 Jetta TDI Clean Diesel will require $23,890 in Trendline+ trim. This gets you a fine-shifting six-speed manual transmission, heated front seats, 16-inch alloys, block heater, fog lights and proximity key with push-button start. An available sunroof package ($715) includes chrome window mouldings and front reading light. There’s also an available sport package, but at the time of writing we have no details on content or pricing.
The mid-level 2015 Jetta TDI Comfortline starts at $25,290, and here we see upgraded seats, soft-touch dash, dual zone climate control, sunroof, upgraded audio, chrome window trim and a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel.
The hi-zoot TDI Highline from $28,290 gets the suite of safety tech. Another $2,495 buys the Technology Package with Fender audio, navigation and bi-xenons with LED mascara.
There might not be a whole lot new with this “new” 2015 Jetta, but the gentle improvements make this already fine driving sedan that much better. Most importantly, the clean-sheet 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel ensures that those who appreciate the outstanding drivability and fuel economy of VW diesel plants will be well served down the road, as this engine has its sights on emission regulations well into the future.
Competitors:
Cruze Diesel
Ford Focus
Honda Civic
Hyundai Sonata
Kia Optima
Mazda 6
Toyota Corolla
Crash Test Results:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
