The 2014 Volkswagen Jetta SE has subdued exterior styling, but the 5-speed manual transmission paired to its 1.8L turbocharged 170 horsepower engine with 184 lb-ft of torque makes it a ridiculous amount of fun to drive. Add fuel economy ratings that put some hybrids to shame, and it simply knocks the ball out of the park.
This is a compact sedan, and from the outside that’s exactly what you see, but the interior is comfortable and even spacious. There is enough headroom so that you don’t feel claustrophobic and when you add the optional sunroof it let’s in plenty of light to make if feel much larger than its dimensions.
The interior is the typical clean, uncluttered, well-mannered design that comes with any Volkswagen, with every dial and button easily accessed and nothing extra or fussy thrown in to complicate matters. But what really sells this is that 5-speed manual transmission and 1.L turbocharged engine.
It’s a sad fact that a lot of people don’t even know how to drive a manual these days, but no matter how unpopular they may become with the general public, they can be exhilarating and fun in a way that an automatic transmission simply can’t touch. In the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta SE, that manual transmission paired to such a peppy little engine makes it so much fun you’re not going to want to park the car.
Check out this 0-60 MPH Test and Review of the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta GLI…
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.
