The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta lasts around 150,000 miles with some serious transmission and engine issues reported. At $16,950 to $25,225, it’s too expensive for a small car with a lot of mechanical problems showing up as they age.
Is the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – 2019 is a bad year for the Volkswagen Jetta since there are transmission problems reported, giving it a lower overall score. Owner reviews complain about expensive repair bills, cheap plastic buttons on the dash, along with oil issues.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are luxurious for a small sedan, the seats are very supportive for longer trips, cargo space is also great in the trunk.
- Reliability 6/10 – There are reports of transmission & engine problems on the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. Avoid models from 2019, while 2012–2018 & 2020-2022 are more reliable years.
- Performance 8/10 – The base Jetta model is similar to other sedans, while the turbocharged four-cylinder in the GLI is relatively quick.
- Safety 8/10 – The 2019 Jetta is a safe car, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. There’s a standard rearview camera. Optional upgrades include lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, along with forward collision warning.
- Gas Mileage 9/10 – Fuel economy is great at up to 34 MPG, giving 448 miles of range from the 13.2 gallon tank. Gas costs are $58 cheaper than average at $124 per month.
- Value 7/10 – The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is affordable for a German car, although there are some costly problems which lower its overall value score.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the VW Jetta?
- Consumer Reports says the 2019 VW Jetta has a responsive engine with straightforward controls, and average owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Jetta at 3.9/5, praising the comfortable ride quality, but doesn’t like the brakes which feel grabby.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Jetta a 4.2/5, enjoying the upgraded technology, but owners don’t like the shorter warranty than some competitors.
What Common Problems Does the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta Have?
Common problems found on the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta include grinding noises from the transmission, excessive oil consumption, as well as worn-out front sensors. Overall, these problems are worse than some other small sedans on the market, leading to higher repair bills.
Grinding noises from the transmission are the most widespread complaint from 2019 Jetta owners at around 5,000 miles. The eight-speed automatic transmission has serious problems which lead to total failures. Usually transmission failures happen early enough in the ownership experience to be covered under warranty. Out of warranty, a transmission replacement costs over $3,500.
Excessive oil consumption is another issue mentioned by Jetta owners at around 20,000 miles. Often excessive oil consumption is normal for a Volkswagen, and it just needs to be checked and topped off regularly. Some owners had various seals throughout the engine replaced, costing around $1,500.
Worn-out front sensors have also been reported on the Jetta in the first 10,000 miles. The sensors at the front control many of the advanced safety features, and simply wear out and get damaged. Replacing the sensors costs around $400, depending on local labor rates.
There are eight recalls on the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta, which is more than many other small sedans. The most serious recalls cover the rear coil springs, which can fracture and increase the risk of an accident. Other recalls cover air bags, as well as tire issues which are more common on all makes and models.
How Long Will the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta Last?
A well-maintained 2019 Volkswagen Jetta can last around 150,000 miles, which is only half as long as the very dependable Toyota Corolla. Regular annual maintenance costs are more expensive than other small sedans, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $444 per year.
As a used 2019 VW Jetta reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the camshaft position sensor for $250, engine front cover gasket costing $500, as well as the stabilizer bar link which costs $150.
It is reliable, only had to take it in for a recall and you are required to change the oil every 10000 miles.
For the most part it has been very reliable. It only has a few thousand miles on it so I cannot say for sure if it will be a long lasting vehicle.
Yes the Jetta is very reliable it is get you from point a to point b with no problem. And the drive is really smooth.
It's reliable, however the tranny makes a grinding noise. I don't have anything else to say but it's making me type more things.
My 2019 Jetta is reliable. My 2019 Jetta has not had any issues at all. Dependable. Reliable. Trust.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is great with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen which has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Available upgrades include more powerful stereo systems as well as a larger 8-inch touchscreen.
Safety technology is very good with a standard rearview camera. Optional advanced safety features include automatic high-beam headlights, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, as well as lane departure warning.
Is the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta a Good Value?
No, the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is not a good value since there are some mechanical issues reported which can be expensive to fix. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $16,950 to $25,225, making it similar to a Honda Civic or Mazda3. When new, the price range was $18,745 to $29,995. Depreciation is similar to other sedans, losing about 8% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the VW Jetta?
There are six main models of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta offered, from the base S model all the way up to the sporty GLI model. The Jetta also comes standard with front-wheel drive.
S is the entry-level model with:
- 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- LED Headlights
- Air Conditioning
- LED Tail Lights
- 5-Inch Touchscreen
- Rearview Camera
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Four-Speaker Sound System
SE is a step up, adding:
- Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
- Sunroof
- Simulated Leather Upholstery
- Heated Front Seats
- Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
- Keyless Entry
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Push-Button Start
R-Line has minor upgrades such as:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Gloss Black Exterior Trim
- Contrast Interior Stitching
- Electronic Differential Lock
SEL is next in the lineup with:
- 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
- 10-Color Adjustable Ambient Lighting
- 8-Inch Touchscreen
- Satellite Radio
- Digital Gauge Cluster
- Optional Cold Weather Package
- Eight-Speaker BeatsAudio Audio System
SEL Premium has more features including:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Leather Upholstery
- Heated Seats
- Power-Adjustable Driver’s Seat
- Ventilated Front Seats
- Heated Rear Seats
- Remote Start
GLI is the flagship model which has:
- 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Limited-Slip Differential
- Ventilated Leather Seats
- DCC Adaptive Suspension
- Unique Exterior Design Cues
What Engines Come In the VW Jetta?
- The base engine is an average 1.4L 4-cylinder which makes 147 horsepower at up to 34 MPG. It comes standard with either a six-speed manual transmission or eight-speed automatic transmission.
- An available upgrade on the GLI model is a stronger 2.0L 4-cylinder which produces 228 horsepower while getting 28 MPG. This engine has either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Performance is good, taking only 5.6 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the VW Jetta Come In?
How Comfortable Is the VW Jetta?
The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is a comfortable car, with enough room for five passengers. The car’s suspension system does a good job of absorbing bumps in the road, which helps to provide a comfortable ride for passengers.
The car’s seats are also well-padded and offer good support, making them comfortable for long trips. The front seats are also heated, and some models are available with a power driver’s seat, which can be adjusted to a wide range of positions for added comfort.
The 2019 Jetta also has a spacious interior, which offers plenty of legroom and headroom for both front and rear passengers. The car’s cabin is also quiet, thanks in part to using sound-deadening materials.
How Much Storage Space Does the VW Jetta Have?
The storage space in the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is good for a sedan. The trunk of the 2019 Jetta typically has a storage capacity of 14.1 cubic feet. This should be enough space to hold several pieces of luggage or a lot of bags of groceries. In addition to the trunk, the Jetta also has a lot of other storage compartments throughout the cabin, such as door pockets and a center console, which can be used to store smaller items.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The seventh generation of the Volkswagen Jetta was introduced for the 2019 model year.
2015: Improved interior quality and minor exterior styling changes.
2016: Standard touchscreen stereo system, new entry-level engine, diesel engine gone for this year.
2017: USB port added to the stereo system, standard rearview camera on all models.
2018: New wheel choices offered, Wolfsburg Edition model added to the lineup.
2019: Fully redesigned for the seventh generation with new technology, engines, and styling.
2020: Wireless charging added, standard Car-Net telecommunications system, six-speed manual on R-Line model.
2021: Improved stereo system on the SEL and higher models
How Does the VW Jetta Compare to the Competition?
The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is a bad compact car for the 2019 model year since there are more engine and transmission problems than other small sedans, making it a year to avoid.
The Volkswagen Passat is another sedan offered by VW, which costs about $2,000 more. Passenger room is better in the Volkswagen Passat, while the Volkswagen Jetta offers a sportier driving experience. We recommend the Volkswagen Passat for 2019 since they are a more reliable choice worth the extra money.
The Honda Civic is another compact sedan, which is about $1,500 more. Standard technology is better in the Honda Civic, while the Volkswagen Jetta has a nicer interior for the money. We recommend the Honda Civic since they have lower ownership costs and much higher reliability ratings as they age.
Do Owners Recommend the VW Jetta?
Yes. Simple, comfortable, gets 40 mi/gal. It is roomy, has heated seats, sunroof, back up camera, lights that come on in the side mirrors if someone is in your blind spot, good fog lights and nice led headlights.
Yes it is an incredible vehicle. 6 speed manual is easy to shift, it gets great gas mileage. It has a ton of cargo space. It has been reliable so far.
Yes because it is a really good gas saver, and it is very spacious and comfortable feel of a car and it is really nice looking. The only thing I would change is making the driver seat setting automatic allowing me to adjust my height to a good comfort overall great car.
YES, it's a very great vehicle. It's very safe, feels sporty, looks amazing, and gets unbelievable gas mileage.
I love it!! Solid, peppy! I have the R Line. Interior is roomie. Handles well. Elegant classy auto. Overall excellent!