DETROIT — Volkswagen introduced a redesigned Jetta on Sunday at the Detroit auto show, aiming to renew interest in the compact sedan after it was tarnished in the company’s global emissions scandal.
One thing that might help: more car for less money.
VW revealed the bigger and cheaper 2019 Jetta with only an internal combustion engine, as the German automaker continues to distance itself from its diesel emissions affair.
Despite the changes, the new Jetta is born into the world facing an uphill battle. Although it remained VW’s best-selling model in 2017, sales tumbled 4.4% to 115,808 vehicles, as Americans rapidly ditch small cars in favor of crossovers and SUVs.
Unlike many of today’s new vehicles — which fetched an average transaction price of $35,126 in 2017, according to Cox Automotive — the Jetta is priced to sell.
The vehicle carries a starting price of $18.545, or $100 less than the previous model.
Designers gave the new model a “coupe-like exterior” with a quickly sloping roofline. The new model gets a 1.4-liter engine with 147 horsepower and six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission.
It’s slightly longer, wider and taller than its predecessor, too — which is not unexpected as Americans seek out roomier rides.
Volkswagen itself has capitalized on the transition to bigger vehicles, introducing a redesined Tiguan and creating a new large SUV called the Atlas, which is an early hit after sales began in 2017.
But the Jetta is still central to the automaker’s American lineup. The Jetta’s new design includes a large front grille aimed at presenting what VW called “bold character.”
The Jetta also gets several new safety features. They include a standard rearview camera and optional forward collision alert, emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.
The new Jetta hits dealerships in the second quarter, adding to the more than 3.2 million units sold to American customers since it debuted.
