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Volkswagen

2015 VW Jetta, new where you can't see

USATODAY

MIDDLEBURG, VA. — Volkswagen's gone from a dearth of new cars to so many they're hard to track.

The latest: the refreshed Jetta sedan, VW's best-selling U.S. model. The short version, for those with short attention spans: It's a sweet car made even more impressive, mainly by brand-new engines.

Jetta follows VW's redesigned 2015 Golf, the hatchback that's VW's global best-seller, which started rolling out in the U.S. with the GTI performance version in April, followed by the models most people buy. The e-Golf electric goes on sale in some states in November. A Golf SportWagen (formerly Jetta SportWagen in the U.S.) comes first quarter.

New Jetta's mainstream gasoline and diesel models go on sale next month followed by the GLI performance model in November and the hybrid in spring.

The 2015 Jetta gets VW's new, third-generation EA888 1.8-liter turbo gasoline engine and new EA288 2-liter TDI (diesel, to us regular folks). Those are very evident, very welcome updates — though you'd never know from the carried-over styling how new and engaging the new Jetta is.

Low-end models of the new Jetta have a 2-liter, non-turbo, gas four-cylinder. But, once into the high-volume trims, the 1.8 turbo four is the starter engine.

And it's a honey. Quick, smooth, an invitation to jump and go. And even driving it as invited, the whiz returned 30 mpg. It's tuned for so much low-speed responsiveness that you almost welcome traffic to remind yourself how well-integrated the turbo engine and transmission are.

A midlevel SE TSI (VW's designation for gasoline power, as opposed to TDI for diesel) was the first model tested during a day on the back roads of Virginia — and we didn't want to turn it in.

In addition to the drivetrain that always seemed in a sweet spot, that test car had near-perfect steering that stayed on-center until otherwise tasked, and then responded in proportion to the driver's tug. The brakes were just right in feel and function, and the supposedly un-sporty suspension/tire combination felt dead-on to us.

An SE TDI driven next had a diesel worth a lot of bragging on every front. Still a 2-liter four-cylinder, it's wholly unlike the engine that it replaces.

Like the TSI, the TDI rolls on the power with easy grace at most any speed. If you're a fan of rocket-launch acceleration, you won't be impressed, but if you appreciate appropriate power delivered artfully, you'll smile a lot.

And the TDI gives stunning fuel economy. Nearly 48 mpg — better than the government highway rating — on a back-road hustle with lots of hard acceleration.

But the steering, which VW insists should feel identical to the gas model, was twitchier, needing more tiny corrections to keep centered in the lane. Not tragic, but disappointing after the delicious SE TSI.

The final test car was a high-end SEL TSI. Take it, please. Driving sensations felt muted vs. the SE, and acceleration — while likely the same — felt slower.

The ride felt harsh and grainy, as if all the asphalt's texture was coming through the steering wheel. It had bigger wheels and wider tires with stubbier sidewalls — great for intense cornering, not so in ordinary driving.

VW checked later and said the tires were over-inflated 5 pounds per square inch in front, 4.5 psi at the rear. That would have aggravated the situation.

The SEL trim has a nicer interior, but we found nothing lacking in the SE cars, so didn't find the extra posh worthwhile.

Front and rear seats in all test cars were comfy, legroom generous for a small car. The trunk is as roomy as cars a size larger.

VW doesn't seem to "get it" when it comes to U.S. buyers' electronic wants. As with the new Golf, Jetta has no USB port for full command of your phone or music player with the car's controls. Or even just for charging.

There's an iPhone cable on some models, but not one with the Lightning connector current iPhones use. That one's $65.

Pairing phones, controlling streaming music was awkward.

The 2015 Jetta looks so much like the 2014 that you won't know it's new until you drive it. The styling is handsome and not begging for change, but VW didn't do itself any favors hiding very desirable upgrades under a bushel.

What stands out:

--Engines: New gas, diesel are very good.

--Infotainment: Still awkward to use — and no USB.

--MPG: Good.

About the 2015 VW Jetta:

--What? Update of front-drive, four-door, five-passenger, compact sedan that's best-selling VW in U.S. New gas and diesel engines, improved crash structure, more features.

--When?On sale in September. GLI upscale performance version in November. Hybrid next spring.

--Where? Made at Puebla, Mexico.

--How much? Starting prices with $820 shipping range from $18,145 for S to $32,490 for SEL hybrid. Special-order, bare-bones base model (no air conditioning, no cruise control, etc.), $17,035.

Test cars: SE gasoline, automatic, $24,100. SEL, gasoline automatic: $27,690. SE TDI diesel automatic, $25,995.

--Rivals?VW says they're Honda Civic, Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze, Toyota Corolla.

--What makes it go? Most models have 1.8-liter, four-cylinder, turbocharged gasoline engine rated 170 horsepower at 4,800 rpm, 184 pounds-feet of torque at 1,500 rpm.

Optional diesel: 2-liter, four-cylinder, turbo rated 150 hp at 3,500, 236 lbs.-ft. at 1,750.

Base engine: 2-liter, four-cylinder gas rated 115 hp at 5,200 rpm, 125 lbs.-ft. at 4,000 rpm.

Gas models come with five-speed manual transmission; diesel with six-speed manual. Six-speed automatic is optional.

--How big?Four inches longer, an inch wider than Honda Civic sedan. Weighs 2,859 to 3,296 lbs. Interior, 94.1 cubic feet.; trunk, 15.7 cu. ft. Turning circle diameter, 36.4 ft.

--How thirsty? 1.8-liter gas engine with automatic rated 25 mpg city, 37 highway, 30 combined. Manual 25/37/29.

Diesel: 31/45/36 (automatic), 31/46/36 (manual).

2-liter base gas engine: 25/34/28 (manual), 23/34/26 (automatic).

Test cars: 1.8-liter gas, automatic: 30.4 mpg (3.29 gallons per 100 miles) in frisky driving on rural two-lanes. Diesel, automatic: 47.6 mpg (2.1 gal./100 mi.) in similar driving.

Gas engines burn regular, diesel takes ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel. Tank holds 14.5 gal.

--Overall: Very nice car made better in important ways.

Volkswagen feels the competitors for the 2015 Jetta are the Honda Civic, Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze and Toyota Corolla.
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