It’s much more than a “Rabbit and a trunk.”
This year’s Volkswagen Jetta has been completely redesigned. It’s been tested and it’s great. It’s smooth, simple to use, quiet, practical, smart, and easy to maneuver. The seventh generation of the compact sedan is being compared to the original Jetta by the German manufacturer. This was done to highlight the many improvements over the past nearly 40 years.
The Jetta was launched in the United States in 1980. It was basically a “Rabbit without a trunk.” It was offered alongside the Rabbit and Dasher, Scirocco and Vanagon in the 1980 VW lineup.
The main features of the new Jetta are a direct legacy from the first generation. They include a healthy list standard features, streamlined engine portfolio with just one motor and tight steering. The original Jetta came with a 1.6-liter naturally-aspirated gasoline engine. It was also equipped with power-assisted brakes, AM/FM cassette-player, and power-assisted brakes. There was only one option: a three-speed manual transmission for the 2018 model and an eight-speed automatic.
The new Jetta has more interior space and boot space than the previous Jetta, despite being larger in all dimensions. This is a quick comparison of 39 years worth of automotive development. Even a simple comparison between the side rearview mirrors of the first and latest Jetta reveal just how much cars have evolved – the 1980 Jetta had a side mirror that you could adjust without rolling down the window, while the 2019 Jetta has an electrically-adjustable mirror, which can offer the Blind Spot Warning system that alerts drivers to vehicles they might not see otherwise.