The 2014 Volkswagen Jetta has a sleek, understated design with a turbocharged engine and comfortably appointed interior that make it a standout in the competitive compact car market.
| STATS | Starting Retail Price | As Tested Price | HP / Lb-Ft |
| 2014 Jetta SE with Connectivity and Sunroof | $22,395 | $22,885 | 170/184 |
| EPA Rating MPG | As Tested MPG | ||
| Rating: BUY IT! | 26 / 36 Combined 30 | 30.1 Combined |
The exterior design of the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta is unassuming, yet there’s a simple elegance to its styling that lends it ample appeal. There’s nothing flashy here, almost as if it’s beyond having to prove itself after all these years. While other compacts are trying to grab your attention with lots of chrome and lines more suited to a sports car, the Jetta is simple, clean and unfussy.
Inside, there’s a bit more pizazz but don’t be expecting flashes of chrome and shiny piano-black finishes on every available surface. This is a German car after all, and it’s full of the practical efficiency you’d expect.
Every knob and button in the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta SE is optimally placed for easy access by the driver and passenger and they’re large and easy to grab without having to take your eyes from the road. You also won’t find buttons duplicated in a touchscreen, and the steering wheel, and the dash which avoids the airline cockpit complexity of some vehicles. It’s refreshing.
The tested model, a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta SE with Connectivity and Sunroof, had heated leatherette seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel that added a little dash of luxury to what is clearly an economy car. Starting price for the base model is just $16,895 with a variety of trims and engines including a hybrid that can take it to up to $31,895. But don’t be thinking that you have to hit that premium price level to get an exceptional ride from the Jetta.
Equipped with a 1.8L turborcharged in-line 4-cylinder engine with 170 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque and a manual transmission, it’s no slouch. Shifting is smooth with a short throw that takes no effort at all and steering is tight and on center. This is not a sports car, but if feels like it really wants to be one. Acceleration is strong making merging into highway traffic effortless.
A big change this year is the new independent suspension at all four corners of the vehicle. This greatly improves the ride giving it a smoother, precise, more controlled feel. It manages bumps and dips nicely without being tossed about the highway like a rag doll, instead offering a pleasant ride. The 2014 Volkswagen Jetta also benefits from excellent braking making it a package deal for the driver.
This is technically a compact sedan, but it manages to pull that off without feeling cramped. It’s 182.2 inches long with a 104 inch wheelbase which gives it an edge over vehicles like the Ford Focus. There is plenty of room for four adults and the trunk is larger than what you’ll get with some mid-size sedans. The 2014 Volkswagen Jetta SE also has a 60/40 split rear seat to make even better use of that cargo space.
Those focused on fuel economy will find plenty to like here, too. It’s rated 26 city/36 highway for a combined 30 miles per gallon that puts some hybrids to shame. Even better, we actually hit those numbers with a combined 30.1 miles per gallon without even trying to edge that number up. It truly is a fuel sipper.
The 2014 Volkswagen Jetta SE with Connectivity and Sunroof is a remarkably fuel efficient compact sedan that offers more room and comfort than others in its class along with a sporty driving experience.
On the TFLcar scale of:
- Buy it!
- Lease it!
- Rent it!
- … or Forget it!
I give the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta SE with Connectivity and Sunroof a Buy It!
Check out this 2014 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 0-60 MPH Test and Review…
Nicole Wakelin fell in love with cars as a teenager when she got to go for a ride in a Ferrari. It was red and it was fast and that was all that mattered. Game over. She considers things a bit more carefully now, but still has a weakness for fast, beautiful cars. Nicole also writes for NerdApproved and GeekMom.
