In Malaysia, the Volkswagen Jetta was discontinued and the Passat is updated. In the USA, it’s the other way around.
Last month, Volkswagen of America announced that they would be discontinuing the Passat model. It’s not surprising. We broke down the reasons why Mazda too was giving up on their D-segment sedan in the same market.
What’s interesting is that the smaller Jetta model is still soldiering on. But not just that, it’s getting a thorough update to keep it abreast with the competition.
For 2022, the base-spec Volkswagen Jetta is adopting the 1.5-litre turbocharged EA211 engine with 158 horsepower and 250Nm of torque. This engine runs on a modified version of the Miller cycle for better fuel economy and has a high compression ratio. The cylinder liners are APS coated, a high-pressure injection system, a variable turbine geometry turbocharger It will be available with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or an 8-speed automatic.
As for the Jetta GLI, which is the equivalent of the Golf GTI, it runs the 2.0L EA888 engine with 228 horsepower and 350Nm of torque. This engine also gets a 6-speed manual but also a 7-speed DSG option.
The Jetta GLI is powered by the 2.0-liter EA888 engine, producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard and a seven-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission is optional.
Jetta Styling Updates
The Jetta models get new front and rear bumpers with a new grille with two chrome bars on either side of the VW logo. LED headlights with DRLs are standard with higher trim levels getting projector LEDs. The front face is drastically different on this new model, looking a little more bloated than athletic. Inside, the Jetta gets either an 8″ or 10″ infotainment system. Features like in-car Wifi, wireless phone charging and more are available. Both cloth and leather seating options are available.
The Jetta GLI gets red contrast stitching throughout the interior and perforated leather seats as well.
I don’t think the Jetta will make its way to Malaysia, but here’s the press release with more info about the updated Jetta if you’re interested.
PRESS RELEASE
For more than four decades, the Jetta has been a torchbearer for the Volkswagen brand, defining affordable German engineering. For the 2022 model year, Volkswagen of America will launch a refreshed Jetta family with new technology and styling to elevate both the value-oriented Jetta and the sporty Jetta GLI.
The refreshed Jetta adopts the 1.5-liter turbocharged and direct-injection EA211 engine found in the recently-launched Taos compact SUV. Making 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, the powerplant features Volkswagen’s modified version of the Miller cycle, where the intake valves are closed early in the induction stroke to help with fuel economy, and has a very high compression ratio of up to 11.5 to one. The upshot is a combination of low-speed torque and competitive fuel economy. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual or a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission.
Key features of the EA211, revised from the previous generation Jetta, include:
- APS coated cylinder liners—whereby iron powder is plasma coated onto the cylinder block—that reduce friction between the cylinder liner and piston rings. This process has been localized in the North American Region.
- A map-controlled cooling module that warms the engine more quickly than the previous EA211 by controlling water flow in different parts of the engine for efficiency.
- Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG). One of the first volume-production turbochargers with this technology in the North American Region, this turbo is more efficient, provides higher boost pressure, and avoids wastegate mass flow.
- A high-pressure injection system with up to 350 bar—raised from 200 bar—which produces better atomization of the fuel/air mixture, a shorter injection time, optimized mixture formation, and lower particulate emissions.
The Jetta GLI is powered by the 2.0-liter EA888 engine, producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard and a seven-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission is optional.
Jetta and GLI models are based Volkswagen’s Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) platform architecture. Both models feature a strut-type front suspension, with Jetta offering a torsion beam rear setup, while GLI models have a multi-link rear suspension. Dubbed the “GTI with a trunk,” GLI boasts the sophisticated VAQ electronically-controlled torque-sensing limited-slip differential, which works in tandem with the XDS® Cross Differential System, as well as the DCC® adaptive damping system.
Inside, the Jetta and GLI boast upgraded technology and design updates throughout their cabins. The Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster now comes standard with an 8-inch display on Jetta, and the 10-inch Digital Cockpit Pro on GLI. Both cars also feature standard Volkswagen Car-Net® with in-car Wi-Fi capability when you subscribe to a data plan. On top Jetta trims and the GLI, MIB3 infotainment is standard, along with wireless charging and wireless App-Connect for compatible devices. New rhombus cloth seats are standard, as is contrast stitching throughout the cockpit. Leatherette and leather seating surfaces are available on Jetta models, with the latter available in a new Volcano Brown and black two-tone palette. GLI features red contrast stitching throughout the interior and perforated leather seats with red underlay.
A leatherette-wrapped steering wheel is available on base Jetta models and standard on higher trims, with heating available, while GLI features a new leather-wrapped sport steering wheel with touch functions and a red “GLI” clip. Heated front and rear seats, along with front seat ventilation are available on Jetta, while GLI features standard heated and ventilated front seats. Power driver seat, Climatronic® automatic climate control, and KESSY® keyless access and push-button start are available from mid-trim models on Jetta and are standard on GLI. Additional available features include a sunroof, BeatsAudio® premium sound, and 10-color ambient lighting.
IQ.DRIVE® driver assistance technology is available from the entry Jetta trim. IQ.DRIVE includes Front Assist (Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring), Active Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Traffic Alert, Lane Assist (Lane Keeping System), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Stop and Go, Travel Assist (semi-automated driving assistance), and Emergency Assist (semi-automated vehicle assistance in a medical emergency). Base Jetta models come standard with Front Assist, Blind Spot Monitor, and Rear Traffic Alert, and can be optioned with the IQ.DRIVE package to round out the feature set (Emergency Assist available on automatic models only). Jetta models come standard with IQ.DRIVE from the mid-trim and up, as does the GLI. Light Assist (High Beam Control for headlights) is also available.
The new Jetta family is expected to reach U.S. dealers in the fourth quarter of 2021.
