2016 Volkswagen Jetta debuted with seven trim levels, from sporty to ultra-luxurious, and introduced the 1.4L engine to replace the 2.0L. Plus, VW’s Jetta Hybrid offered the same turbo 1.4, making 170 HP and accomplishing 44 MPG combined.
Key Points
- The Jetta’s 1.4T S trim is the most affordable of its seven trim levels, featuring a new 1.4L turbocharged four-cylinder worth 150 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque.
- It doesn’t include much more than standard equipment, but the 1.4T SE trim started at under $20k, and for $1,315 more, you got extras like 16-inch black aluminum wheels, heated front seats, and an upgraded HD radio.
- The 1.8T Sport trim provided more performance and added convenience features like navigation, fog lights, leatherette seats, and driver lumbar support.
- The 2016 VW Jetta’s 1.8T SEL Premium trim level adds dual-zone automatic air conditioning and 17-inch silver aluminum wheels, but this hardly warrants a cost increase to $25,380.
- Many trims also included add-on packages that provided extra safety and comfort, such as the Driver Assistance package that introduced features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear traffic alert.
2016 Volkswagen Jetta has Seven Trim Levels, Including Manual Transmission for Most
Lots of trim levels mean lots of options and opportunities to customize the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. Many of the seven trims are offered with a manual transmission and add-on packages to increase value and comfort. Overall, the 2016 Jetta is a handsome German sedan with plenty of optional equipment and 27 to 44 combined mpg.
The seven trims include:
- 1.4T S
- 1.4T SE
- 1.8T Sport
- 1.8T SEL
- 1.8T SEL Premium
- 2.0T GLI SE
- Hybrid
1.4T S Trim Offers Manual and Automatic Transmission, and Many Tech Upgrades
The 1.4T S is the entry trim, and its name refers to the new 1.4L turbocharged four-cylinder worth 150 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. It replaced the 2.0L engine in the North American market. Some of the accommodations on the 1.4T S include a standard five-speed manual transmission, front-wheel drive, 15-inch steel wheels, AC, heated mirrors, and remote keyless entry.
For an extra $1,100, you could add a six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic capability––a marketing term for VW’s “manual mode”––giving the driver more transmission control compared to normal automatic transmissions.
The trim came with 15-inch steel wheels, but you could add 18-inch silver alloy wheels for $1,295. Also notable was the Technology Package, which added a rearview camera, 6.3-inch touchscreen, HD radio, CD, USB, smartphone integration, Bluetooth connectivity, and SiriusXM Satellite radio.
All these features are enjoyed on a four-speaker audio system. The MSRP for this trim started at $17,680, though it is difficult to find a completely base version as the majority had some or all of the options above.
1.4T SE Trim Adds Style and Practicality with Leather-wrapped Steering Wheel, Heated Front Seats
The 1.4T SE started at $18,995 but didn’t add much more standard equipment. For $1,315 more, the extra standard options included 16-inch black aluminum wheels, heated front seats, and an upgraded HD radio with Sirius XM satellite capability. The largest increase of creature comforts was offered via the Connectivity package for an increase of $2,230.
Some of this package’s options include 16-inch silver alloy wheels, chrome window trim, body-colored mirrors with integrated turn signals, sunroof, leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, driver’s side lumbar support, and a six-speaker audio system.
1.8T Sport Trim is Equipped with Larger Engine and Optional Lighting Package
Increasing the engine size by 0.4 liters per cylinder nets the 1.8T Sport an additional 20 horses, but with a penalty of 29 mpg combined, which is a small price to pay for the better options in this trim level, which offers a sportier look and a little more pep in the gas pedal.
The standard features include the 1.8L four-cylinder engine (offering 170 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque), 17-inch aluminum wheels, fog lights, leatherette trimmed seats, and a navigation system.
For an additional $995, the Sport trim came with a Lighting package that further upped the cool factor with options including interior ambient lighting, bi-xenon headlights, and LED daytime running lights. MSRP started at $20,895, which is a great price point for such a well-equipped vehicle.
1.8T SEL Trim Offers Automatic Transmission as Standard, but no Manual is Offered
Crossing into the luxury offerings for the Jetta, the 1.8T SEL trim represents a few changes that focus a little less on sport and a little more on comfort. These appointments include a standard six-speed automatic transmission, sunroof, 17-inch aluminum wheels, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Offering an automatic transmission as standard equipment is offset by the increase in price, by $2,755, coming in at a total of $23,650.
For a $950 increase, the Driver Assistance package introduced standard safety features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear traffic alert.
1.8T SEL Premium Doesn’t Include Much More than the Standard Premium Trim
The 1.8T SEL Premium adds dual-zone automatic air conditioning and 17-inch silver aluminum wheels, but this hardly warrants a cost increase to $25,380.
2.0T GLI SE has Larger Engine and Optional Dual-clutch Transmission
The first of the Grand Luxe Injection (GLI) trim levels come in the form of a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder. Volkswagen has long used their GLI offerings as a focal point for performance and they appointed this trim with a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder with 210 horsepower and 207 lb.-ft. of torque. Also standard, a six-speed manual transmission, 18-inch aluminum wheels, and parking assist.
The GLI SE trim started at $26,920 and increased in cost based on packages. While the manual transmission is standard for this trim, a DSG dual-clutch is also offered for an additional $1,100 following the cost convention for the other automatic transmission in lower trim levels. The 2.0T GLI SE Premium, separated only by the addition of a Navigation System, had an MSRP increase to $29,280.
Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid: An SEL Premium Trim with a Hybrid Drivetrain
The 2016 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid was offered with the same turbo 1.4, but paired to a 1.1 kWh lithium-ion battery, making a combined 170 horsepower and accomplishing 44 miles per gallon combined. The SEL Premium trim had similar accompaniments as the standard SEL Premium, such as leatherette trimmed seats, heated front seats, navigation, driver lumbar support, sunroof and bi-xenon headlights.
Ultimately, Volkswagen decided to discontinue the hybrid Jetta in 2017.
Photos: Volkswagen, Deposit Photos
