Jetta
- New 1.8-liter turbocharged and direct-injection four-cylinder engine replaces 2.5-liter five cylinder; electro-mechanical power steering replaces a hydraulic setup
- Jetta 1.8T, 2.0, and TDI models receive rear multilink suspensions
- Media Device Interface (MDI) cable moved from glovebox to center console on SE and higher trims
- VW Car-Net becomes available on SE with Connectivity and higher trims
- Rearview cameras added to SEL, TDI Premium, and TDI Premium and Navigation
- 30th Anniversary edition GLI (late availability)
- Jetta Hybrid SE, SEL and SEL Premium trims receive new high-resolution MFI display in the instrument cluster
The best-selling model in Volkswagen’s lineup receives a number of key enhancements for 2014, including powertrain, chassis, and technology updates.
The SE model will add a new 1.8-liter turbocharged and direct-injection four-cylinder engine, electro-mechanical power steering, a multilink independent rear suspension, SiriusXM® Satellite Radio, and power reclining front seats. The SE with Connectivity trim adds the option of VW Car-Net connected services, while the SE with Connectivity and Sunroof adds Keyless access with push-button start.
The SEL trim is now available with an automatic transmission only. It also offers VW Car-Net, a rearview camera, the RNS 315 navigation system, and the Fender® Premium Audio System.
Similar to the 1.8-liter gasoline trims, all TDI Clean Diesel models will offer VW Car-Net, a relocated MDI cable (now in the center console), and new independent rear suspension. TDI Premium and Premium and Navigation trims also get a rearview camera. The performance-driven Jetta GLI model now has the relocated MDI cable and the option of VW Car-Net, as well as the latest 210-hp version of the EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged engine.
Volkswagen’s first hybrid compact, the Jetta Hybrid, was launched late last year. For 2014, updates are minimal and include the availability of VW Car-Net and the addition of a new high-resolution color MFI display in the instrument cluster.
2014 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN: SPORT AND UTILITY
Being sensible and practical has never been so much fun
- Offers “Vroom to spare” with 66.9 cubic feet of versatile load-carrying space
- Available panoramic sunroof provides airy, open feel
- Fuel-sipping TDI® Clean Diesel gets an impressive EPA fuel economy rating of 42 mpg highway
- Two powertrains that deliver fun and fuel efficiency
- Rearview camera now fitted to TDI Clean Diesel models
Not all lifestyle load-carriers need to be tall-riding SUVs. With the rear seats folded, the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen can pack a remarkable 66.9 cubic feet of ‘stuff’ into its load space—then drive like a sport sedan while getting it to its destination.
And by opting for the Jetta SportWagen TDI with its fuel-sipping 2.0-liter TDI® Clean Diesel engine, that destination can be more than 600 miles away, because it can cover that distance on just one tank of diesel fuel, with an impressive EPA estimated 42 highway miles per gallon.
Available with a choice of TDI Clean Diesel power or Volkswagen’s refined 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder gasoline engine, the Jetta SportWagen offers German engineering in a sleek, stylish, blast-to-drive package. For 2014, the Jetta SportWagen carries over largely unchanged, although all models now have LED-license plate illumination and all TDI models gain a rearview camera.
Exterior
Here is a car that melds a sleek sport sedan with a versatile Euro-style five-door wagon, in a package that’s been described as having “Vroom to spare”.
The narrow grille incorporates horizontal chrome strips found across the Volkswagen line. It features twin gloss-black horizontal blades running between the headlights, with similar horizontal vanes in the lower bumper section. They’re designed to visually lower and widen the car’s stance.
In profile, the gently-arcing roofline, with its sweep echoed by long roof-rack rails, gives the Jetta SportWagen a sleek, fast look. Black trim surrounding the side windows of the S model—it’s in chrome on both SE and TDI Clean Diesel versions—visually stretches the car, helped by the body-colored tailgate spoiler.
At the rear, the sleek, stretched look continues with the fastback-like tailgate that opens almost full-width for ease of loading. The contoured rear bumper with its tailgate cut-out adds to the SportWagen’s dynamic look.
Interior
The 2014 Jetta SportWagen has impressive load-carrying abilities. With the 60/40-split folding rear seats in place, there’s a spacious 32.8 cubic feet of usable cargo space in the fully-carpeted load area. A roll-out blind keeps the contents away from prying eyes. Lift up a panel in the luggage compartment floor and there’s a full-width tray that’s perfect for storing away a laptop or briefcase. And it’s perfectly-proportioned for pizza boxes. Family-size, naturally. Fold the rear seats forward and the load area increase to an impressive 66.9 cu ft. And loading is easy thanks to the low bumper height at the rear, and the wide-opening tailgate.
When it’s not doing the heavy lifting, the Jetta SportWagen can carry five adults in comfort.
Throughout the cabin, high quality, soft-touch plastics are integrated with tasteful, brushed metallic trim and chrome highlights. The 2.5 S model features Titan Black cloth for its seating surfaces, while the SE and TDI Clean Diesel models offer Volkswagen’s hallmark perforated V-Tex leatherette.
To let the outside in to the Jetta SportWagen’s cabin, there’s an XXL-sized panoramic glass tilt/slide sunroof. The aerodynamically and acoustically optimized roof comprises one glass segment for opening, and one fixed glass panel over the rear seat. It features pinch protection and an electrically-operated sunshade that covers the inside of the entire glass area. It’s offered on the SE and TDI Clean Diesel models.
Music needs are taken care of by Volkswagen’s RCD 310 radio/sound system. On the 2.5 S model it features a single CD player with eight speakers, aux-in and MP3 readability. Bluetooth® connectivity is also standard. A step-up to the SE trim sees the system expanded to 10 speakers with a six-disc changer, Media Device Interface (MDI) with an iPod® cable, and SiriusXM® Satellite Radio.
Engines and Transmissions
The 2014 Jetta SportWagen is offered with a choice of two engines. Buyers can choose either the 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder gasoline engine or the highly-acclaimed, 50-state compliant 2.0-liter TDI® Clean Diesel.
The 2.5-liter produces 170 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. It features an aluminum-alloy crossflow cylinder head with four valves for each cylinder, double overhead camshafts, maintenance-free hydraulic lifters, and sequential multi-port fuel injection.
A six-speed manual transmission comes standard on the SportWagen 2.5 with the option of a six-speed automatic with Tiptronic® and Sport mode. Tiptronic allows the driver to shift manually with an up or down push of the gear selector. Fuel economy is an EPA estimated 33 mpg highway and 23 mpg in the city for the 2.5 with six-speed manual, and 30 mpg highway/23 mpg city for the six-speed automatic.
Volkswagen’s highly-efficient 2.0-liter turbocharged in-line four-cylinder TDI® Clean Diesel produces 140 horsepower and a muscular 236 lb-ft of torque delivered for strong low-speed response, between 1750 and 2500 rpm. This state-of-the-art diesel features turbocharging and an advanced common rail direct-injection fuel system. The valvetrain comprises double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, and maintenance-free hydraulic lifters.
The Jetta SportWagen TDI Clean Diesel has a standard six-speed manual transmission, with the option of Volkswagen’s acclaimed six-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission with Tiptronic® and Sport mode—providing drivers with the performance of the manual gearbox and the precision of an automatic. DSG helps the SportWagen TDI Clean Diesel deliver an EPA-estimated 39 mpg highway and 29 mpg in city driving, while the TDI with manual transmission gets 42 mpg highway and 30 mpg city.
Suspension and braking
Volkswagen engineers created a suspension that not only delivers fun, responsive, driver-focused handling, but does so when the car is loaded-up with heavy gear. They used a proven strut-type front suspension with coil springs, a lower control arm, and an anti-roll bar. At the rear, there’s a sophisticated fully-independent multilink arrangement with coil springs, telescopic dampers, and another anti-roll bar.
The electro-mechanical power steering system includes variable assistance and active return to help keep the driver confident and the Jetta SportWagen stable yet responsive, heading through every turn. In tight parking spots, it provides a 35.8-foot turning radius, with three turns of the wheel lock-to-lock.
Stopping duties are handled by a power-assisted four-wheel disc brake set-up that, in the Jetta SportWagen 2.5, utilizes 11.3-inch vented discs at the front and 10.1-inch solid discs at the rear. For the TDI Clean Diesel version, the diameter of the vented front discs goes up to 12.3 inches, with 10.7-inch solid rotors at the back.
An Antilock Braking System (ABS) is naturally fitted as standard to all Jetta SportWagen models, along with Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), Engine Braking Assist (EBA), and Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
Safety and Security
As with all Volkswagen models, the starting point for helping to ensure occupant safety is an extremely strong and rigid body structure. Key body panels are joined with seamless laser welds, instead of spot welds, for added strength.
To help protect those inside, there are driver and front passenger front and side thorax airbags, together with Side Curtain Protection® head airbags covering outward-seated occupants front and rear.
Additionally, the SportWagen comes with Volkswagen’s Intelligent Crash Response System that, in certain types of collisions, automatically shuts off the fuel pump to the engine, unlocks the doors, and even switches on the hazard warning lights.
Scheduled Maintenance
Like all 2014 Volkswagen models, the car is covered under the no-charge Carefree Maintenance® Program. Scheduled maintenance is covered for two years or 24,000 miles, whichever occurs first.
Model Line-up
Six models make up the 2014 Jetta SportWagen model line-up, each one extremely well-equipped and surprisingly affordable.
2.5 S
Starting at $20,995, the 2.5 S represents exceptional value. Its standard equipment includes 16-inch steel wheels with full covers and 205/55R16 all-season tires; power heatable exterior mirrors; rear window wiper with washer; LED license-plate illumination; adjustable front intermittent windshield wipers with heated washer nozzles; leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel; Climatic manual air conditioning; center console with adjustable armrest and integrated storage box; cruise control; multi-function instrument display; front and rear power windows with auto up/down; tilt and telescopic adjusting steering column; Bluetooth technology; heatable driver and passenger comfort seats with manual lumbar and power recline; split-folding rear seat with center armrest and pass-thru; RCD 310 radio/sound system with single CD slot, eight speakers, aux input, and MP3 readability.
2.5 SE
Opening at $24,885, the SE adds 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 205/55R16 all-season tires; a six-speed automatic transmission; chrome exterior window trim and front grille; leather-wrapped brake handle and shift knob; V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces; 10-speaker sound system with in-dash CD changer, HD radio capability, MDI with iPod® cable & SiriusXM™ Satellite Radio.
2.5 SE with Sunroof
This trim adds 17-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires and a panoramic sunroof with power tilt and slide, and starts at $26,685.
2.0 TDI Clean Diesel
With an MSRP of $26,565, it offers the same standard features as the 2.5 SE, but with the addition of: the140-hp TDI Clean diesel engine; six-speed manual transmission; a rearview camera; and a 115-volt power outlet. The six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission is an $1100 option.
2.0 TDI Clean Diesel with Sunroof
Starting at $28,365, this adds 17-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires and a panoramic sunroof with power tilt and slide.
2.0 TDI Clean Diesel with Sunroof and Navigation
This adds the RNS315 navigation system and Keyless access with push-button start: it is priced from $29,165 with a six-speed manual transmission.