You might be wondering is the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta a good car. Well, if you stick around, I will give you my personal opinion on the ownership of the car.

This time, I purchased my new car from a Volkswagen Group – a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta at the local dealership in Jacksonville, Florida, which they acquired from an Enterprise rental company. 

As a side note, the place was called CarHeros, and it was the best car-buying experience in all my years of buying cars.

And believe me; I purchased many ( I usually change them every 2-3 years). It was quick, smooth, and had no hustle as advertised without any typical car-buying BS.

Is The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta A Good Car?

I owned my 2019 Volkswagen Jetta from March 2020 until March 2021.

It was a platinum grey metallic exterior with a dark grey interior color combination—base model with around 24000 miles, a 1.4L turbocharged motor with eight-speed automatic transmission. 

2019 Volkswagen Jetta Exterior

The exterior of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta presents a refined aesthetic.

With a wheelbase measuring 105.7 inches, it’s only slightly larger than its predecessor, which stood at 104.4 inches.

The dimensions of a car, including its width, play a crucial role in its overall performance and handling.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta, with its specific dimensions, offers a certain driving experience that might differ from other cars.

If you’re curious about how the size of a car impacts its functionality and why it truly matters, you might find our article on the ‘Average Width Of A Car | Secrets Why Size Truly Matters‘ enlightening.

It provides a detailed look at the importance of car dimensions and how they influence various aspects of driving.

However, the overall styling has significantly improved, with a more defined sideline adding to its appeal.

The rear of the Volkswagen Jetta has undergone a considerable redesign compared to the previous generation.

It’s lost its rounded shape and now boasts full LED taillights, white LED lights above the license plate, and a standard backup camera.

Interestingly, the exhaust pipe is hidden beneath the bumper. My 2019 Volkswagen Jetta was an entry-level model, so it didn’t come with a shiny, chrome tailpipe.

However, this didn’t detract from its appearance; it added a sleek touch to the rearview.

From the side, the car maintains the classic sedan look.

Even in the base trim, the door handles and mirrors are painted the same color as the rest of the vehicle, providing a uniform look.

One peculiar feature is the ‘shark fin’ – the radio antenna located above the rear window, which is matte black. This is an unusual choice against the car’s overall color scheme.

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It’s puzzling why Volkswagen chose to leave a small piece of plastic unpainted on the car.

As for the rims on my base Volkswagen Jetta, they weren’t to my taste.

They were made of aluminum and had a ‘closed-in’ design, similar to what you’d find on many electric and hybrid vehicles today.

While I understand this design choice improves aerodynamics and fuel efficiency,

I found it aesthetically unappealing. If you prefer more attractive, ‘open’ rims, you must opt for a higher Jetta model, such as the SEL, GLI, or the top-of-the-line Volkswagen Jetta R line, which boasts the most stylish rims.

The front of the car underwent a significant redesign.

To my surprise, even the lowest trim came equipped with full LED headlights for both high and low beams.

This was a first for me, and I must say, the bright LEDs quickly became my favorite feature of my Volkswagen Jetta.

Driving on dark country roads populated with wildlife, I found the bright LEDs invaluable.

They illuminated the road far better than traditional halogen headlights, making it easy to spot animals or debris in the road.

So here’s some advice: if you’re in the market for a new or used vehicle, opt for LEDs.

They’re far brighter than halogen headlights and provide a wider illumination field.

Even on a multi-lane highway like I-95, you can see across multiple lanes and beyond the shoulder.

Given my experience, I don’t plan to return to halogen headlights.

Plus, LEDs are designed to last for the lifetime of the car, although, with modern vehicles, that might not be as long as you’d think, LOL,

2019 Volkswagen Jetta Interior

The car’s interior was dark, accented by faux aluminum elements on the dashboard and steering wheel.

In typical German vehicle fashion, the instrument cluster is well-organized and features a central digital screen.

This highly customizable screen displays information from radio settings and phone connectivity to average fuel efficiency and current speed.

While these features are standard in most modern vehicles, it’s worth noting that the base model does not include rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, or keyless entry.

The base model’s center console is minimalist yet comes with all the necessary features.

Dominating the console is a 6.5-inch infotainment system that controls and displays essential information, such as backup camera footage and Carplay and Android Auto interfaces.

The Carplay interface integrated seamlessly with my iPhone, providing a smooth and efficient user experience.

Situated below the infotainment screen are two air vents for the single-zone air conditioning or heating system.

Note that this is not an automatic climate control system, which is standard for the base trim.

The center console houses the gear selector for the 8-speed automatic transmission, surrounded by various buttons.

These include the ECO drive mode, electronic parking brake, and, surprisingly for a base model, a button to prevent the engine from shutting off at complete stops, such as at a red light.

It’s important to remember that the air conditioning is belt-driven, not electric, so it will cease to function when the engine shuts off at a red light.

One feature that particularly impressed me in the base model was the Stop and Go function.

It was incredibly responsive and smooth. THE ENGINE WAS READY TO GO QUICKLY when I lifted my foot off the brake pedal.

I’ve tested this feature in other vehicles, like the 2020 Ford Fusion Platinum, which had a super quick start, and the 2021 Ford F-150 XLT, which had a slower and less consistent start-stop feature.

This Stop and Go feature quickly became one of my favorite aspects of the Volkswagen Jetta.

One of the standout features of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is its impressive fuel efficiency, averaging around 40 miles per gallon.

This makes it a great choice for those conscious of fuel consumption. However, the fuel efficiency of a vehicle isn’t solely determined by its make and model.

You can employ several strategies to maximize your car’s miles per gallon.

To learn more about improving your vehicle’s fuel efficiency, check out our article on ‘How Many Miles In A Gallon: 5 Incredible Efficiency Tips‘.

It provides valuable tips to help you get the most out of each gallon of fuel.

Comfort And Seating

Another aspect of the car that pleasantly surprised me was the seating.

Like the rest of the interior, the seats were dark, featuring a two-tone design with black on the sides and grey in the middle.

The seats were remarkably comfortable and spacious despite being manually adjustable and lacking lumbar support or heating.

I can attest to this comfort, having undertaken around ten trips in 2020 from Florida to New Jersey in this car.

Each trip was around 980 miles.

If you’re considering purchasing a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta for long-distance travel, I would highly recommend it.

The car boasts excellent fuel efficiency, extremely comfortable seats, a quiet and spacious cabin, and a responsive turbocharged engine paired with a smooth-shifting transmission.

2019 Volkswagen Jetta Maintenance And Service

Beginning Of The End

Let’s talk about maintenance, specifically oil changes, which was the only service I needed while owning the car.

To provide context, I purchased the car with approximately 24,000 miles on it, and my first oil change was due after 10,000 miles.

Before I delve deeper, let me share my history with vehicle maintenance.

I’ve never been particularly concerned about who changes my oil or rotates my tires.

Over the years, I’ve consistently chosen Firestone for all necessary services across various vehicles.

They are the most convenient, quick, and, importantly, honest service provider.

Speaking of honesty, it’s important to be vigilant as plenty of unscrupulous individuals are out there, ready to overcharge you for unnecessary repairs and upgrades.

Returning to my experience with the Jetta, I took the car to Volkswagen in St Augustine for my first oil change.

After about an hour, the service was complete. My next oil change was scheduled for another 10,000 miles later.

However, things started to take a strange turn from this point on.

To elaborate further, during the initial few thousand miles of driving my 2019 Volkswagen Jetta, I noticed an unusual grinding noise emanating from the engine bay.

This noise was particularly noticeable when driving at relatively low RPMs and speeds, specifically around 25-35 MPH.

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Since the car was still under its factory warranty, I returned it to the same Volkswagen service center.

I discussed the noise issue with the service department manager, and his response shocked me.

He acknowledged that Volkswagen was aware of the problem, stating it was a common issue with the 2019 Jettas.

However, they were not willing to address it under warranty coverage.

I researched online to see if other 2019 Volkswagen Jetta owners were experiencing the same issues.

To my surprise, many were dealing with the same problem, and Volkswagen seemed hesitant to address it.

From what I gathered, they expected me to continue driving until a more serious issue arose, such as a transmission problem or torque converter issue.

It was as if Volkswagen had no valid reason to intervene with my car.

So, I continued driving. However, another surprise was waiting for me.

When I was about two-thirds through the lifespan of my motor oil, the ‘check oil’ light illuminated on my dashboard.

It was absurd; I still had 2500 miles before the next oil change was due!

Naturally, I returned to the same Volkswagen service center to express my concerns about the prematurely low oil level.

They apologized for the oversight and promptly replaced my oil with a fresh batch, which was only fair considering it was their mistake.

I hoped that would be the end of it, but alas, another issue arose.

A couple of days later, while driving around town, I heard a scraping sound from the front of my car.

It turned out that the ‘professional’ mechanics at Volkswagen of St Augustine had neglected to reattach the plastic cover beneath the engine bay while addressing the oil level issue.

They had only secured the back of the cover, neglecting to fasten two more screws at the front, right under the front bumper.

Consequently, I ended up dragging it on the ground.

I was at a loss for words!

Frustrated and irritated with all these issues, I was further annoyed when, at around 75% of the oil life, the ‘check oil’ light illuminated yet again.

To add to my concerns, a knocking noise came from the engine, likely from the valves, a common symptom of oil deficiency.

• Pre-ignition 
• Low-octane fuel 
• Low-quality conventional oil 
• Bad Timing
• Unbalanced air/fuel mixture
• Worn Bearings, tensioners/pulleys

and so on…

The list of the issues for the engine making weird sounds could be extensive.

Keep in mind that when you hear an engine knock; something it’s not right, and you should visit a car mechanic as soon as possible.

While my 2019 Volkswagen Jetta didn’t require an engine replacement, the persistent oil-burning issue was a significant concern.

It’s a reminder that even seemingly minor engine problems can escalate if not addressed promptly. Engine replacements can come with their own set of challenges.

If you’ve ever wondered about the common problems that can arise after an engine replacement, you might find our article on ‘Common Problems After Engine Replacement | Triumph Over Troubles‘ insightful.

It provides a comprehensive overview of potential issues and how to overcome them.

My 2019 Volkswagen Jetta’s Biggest Problem?

That was the last straw.

I visited the Volkswagen customer service at the same dealership for the final time, lodging complaints about the recurring low engine oil level issues.

I had no expectations from those individuals anymore. As anticipated, they dismissed my concerns, stating, ‘It’s normal; there’s nothing wrong with it.’

I questioned how it could be considered normal to have oil intended for 10,000 miles run low barely after 5-6 thousand miles.

I had to drive with a motor oil bottle to top it off as needed. This was ridiculous for a car with approximately 40-50 thousand miles.

To clarify the issue, the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta has a significant problem with oil consumption.

It’s a widespread issue among many similar vehicles.

After reading countless articles, blog posts, and forum discussions, I realized the severity of the problem with my specific model year.

I’ve owned many cars in my life, and the Jetta was the newest I ever had, but none had an issue with consuming oil nearly as much as fuel.

A term known as ‘teething or baby problems’ refers to issues commonly experienced during a new car’s first year. In many instances and with most car manufacturers, this is entirely normal.

As time progresses, these minor issues are typically resolved in the second, third, or fourth year of the model’s production.

However, the issue I’m discussing here is not minor; it’s a significant problem that could potentially lead to catastrophic engine failure.

Welcome Honda Insight Hybrid and Goodbye Volkswagen Jetta

I ended my ownership of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta in April 2021.

It was the most frustrating and disappointing vehicle I’ve ever owned. I change cars every 2-3 years, and the Jetta didn’t last two years.

I sold it to Carvana at the end of April 2021. In its place, I purchased my first brand-new car, the 2020 Honda Insight Hybrid.

This car is extremely comfortable and has numerous features, including rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot camera, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring.

Plus, it’s incredibly fuel-efficient.

Conclusion

Upon reviewing the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta, it offers good value for money.

It’s a reliable vehicle with smooth handling, an efficient eight-speed automatic transmission, and excellent fuel economy. It also comes with a host of features across all trim levels.

It could be an ideal choice for those seeking value for their money.

However, it’s unfortunate that the 2019 model of the Volkswagen Jetta may not be the best choice due to the issues I’ve experienced, which is disappointing for a car from the Volkswagen Group.

If you have any questions about the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta review, please email me here.