VW isn’t rocking the boat with its best-seller, the Jetta. But this sedan doesn’t need a major make-over. Even though the 6th-generation version debuted in the 2011 model year, the 2014 model year Jetta is absolutely relevant. The car’s cabin isn’t decked out in gaudy gadgets, and that’s a really good thing because Jetta’s simplicity is one of its strongest draws. It’s fanciful in ways that matter, and that includes a Fender® Premium Audio System (standard equipment on the test-driven TDI Clean Diesel with Premium & Navigation packages). Jetta’s roominess is nice for all occupants. And there’s plenty of stow space (15.5 cubic feet) in the trunk as well as a 60/40 split rear seatback with pass-through to the trunk.

The front wheel drive 2014 Jetta replaces the 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine previously offered on SE and SEL trims with a new 1.8-liter 4-cylinder. This third-generation engine kicks out 170 horsepower and 184 pounds-feet of peak torque. The test-driven 104.4-inch wheelbase Jetta was powered by a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder TDI clean diesel (releasing 140 horsepower and 236 pounds-feet of torque) mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain combination easily handled low-speed and higher speed driving tasks. A multilink independent rear suspension replaces a torsion-beam that was used on the 2.0-liter S, 2.5-liter and TDI models in 2013. Jetta with 2.0-liter TDI collected estimated mpg of 30 city/42 highway and carried an MSRP of $27,415.