2019 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta presented a slightly longer and wider profile compared to its predecessor, maintaining the same height but adding about an inch in width. This change, along with a new wide, angular grille inspired by the VW Arteon sport sedan, gave the Jetta a more upscale presence. The new design was far more dramatic than the previous generation's staid appearance, aiming to bring an upscale aura to the compact sedan. Inside, the cabin mirrored the exterior's angular design language, creating a spacious and attractive environment with a premium feel, despite not all surfaces being soft-touch. The seats were impressively comfortable, suitable for long drives.

In contrast, the 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI maintained a stealthy, innocuous appearance, appealing to those who preferred not to draw unnecessary attention. Despite its conservative styling, the GTI featured a honeycomb grille, red accents, and twin exhaust outlets, hinting at its performance capabilities. Inside, the GTI's straightforward dashboard design, quality materials, and whimsical Clark Plaid cloth upholstery in the S and Rabbit Edition trims added a touch of character. The cabin was functional and comfortable, with ample storage and a clear, sensible layout of controls.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta was powered by a single engine option: a 1.4-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder producing 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Despite having 3 fewer horsepower than the previous year's engine, the new engine felt more responsive, thanks to its tuning and the new 8-speed automatic transmission. The Jetta handled both city and highway driving well, with smooth and sporty steering and minimal body roll. The ride quality was refined yet soft, providing comfort over rough roads. Both the manual and automatic transmissions offered impressive fuel efficiency, returning 30 mpg city, 40 highway, and 34 combined.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI, on the other hand, featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with an increased output of 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The GTI's performance was enhanced by a torque-sensing limited-slip differential, which maximized traction and reduced understeer. The GTI's handling was exceptional, with precise steering and a stiff, sporty ride. Acceleration was quick, and the manual transmission provided a satisfying driving experience. The GTI's fuel economy was rated at 27 mpg combined, though real-world driving often resulted in slightly lower figures.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta offered comfortable front seats, even on long trips, and adequate rear-seat space despite a slight reduction in legroom. Trunk space was reduced to 14.1 cubic feet but remained average for the class. The cabin layout was practical, with the touchscreen positioned above the front climate vents and the shifter moved back for easier access. The Jetta's blend of touchscreen functions with real buttons and dials emphasized practicality and ease of use.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI provided a versatile interior, suitable for both family use and spirited driving. The front seats were height-adjustable and offered robust bolsters, with a sliding and height-adjustable center armrest. The cabin featured ample storage, including a large glove box, deep door-panel bins, and a smartphone tray. The backseat offered acceptable comfort, though leg space was tight. The GTI's trunk had a capacity of 22.8 cubic feet, though this figure seemed optimistic. Maximum cargo space was 52.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta came standard with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display, Volkswagen’s Car-Net App-Connect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims, such as the SEL and SEL Premium, featured Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a customizable digital display that replaced the conventional instrument panel. This display allowed drivers to project navigation and other information directly onto the screen.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI's infotainment system included a 6.5-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, and Car-Net App Connect with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Mirror Link support in the S and Rabbit Edition trims. The SE trim offered an upgraded system with an 8-inch display, HD Radio, satellite radio, and a Fender-brand premium sound system. The GTI Autobahn trim included a navigation system and a semi-autonomous parking assistant system.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta was equipped with a full array of front and side airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Driver-assist systems such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward-collision avoidance were standard on higher trims and optional on the base S. The SEL and SEL Premium trims also included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI offered forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and a blind-spot-monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert as standard on the Rabbit Edition and optional on the S trim. The GTI SE included additional safety features through the Car-Net Safety & Security plan, while the GTI Autobahn added adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. All GTIs featured an automatic post-collision braking system. The GTI received high safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, though it had some minor shortcomings in specific tests.