Four years after its release, the seventh-generation Volkswagen Jetta is set to be slightly updated before the dawn of calendar year 2015, most likely for the 2016 model year. A recent report from our friends at Autoblog states that the German compact sedan would be ready for a mid-cycle refresh, with aspirations to stay relevant in the hotly-contested segment, battling the likes of the Mazda 3, Chevrolet Cruze, 2015 Ford Focus, and Honda Civic.
Volkswagen VP of marketing, Vinay Shahani broke the news in an interview with Autoblog just last week whilst attending the 2014 Chicago Auto Show, stating that the refresh will include the usual array of updates including subtle interior and exterior improvements. Having been updated for the 2014 model year, which introduced the new turbocharged 1.8L and 2.0L four-cylinders, the engine are set to remain as they are now.
Shahani stated the crucial difference between the company’s two compacts (Golf and Jetta) saying that Volkswagen viewed the Jetta as “complementary” while adding that, “hatchback consumers rarely jump to sedans.” This statement seems to be aimed at those concerned that the updated sedan Jetta would interfere with the market success of the all-new Golf, set to be released for the 2015 model year in the States.
Regardless, as the Jetta is set for some well-deserved refreshing, Volkswagen seems to be hoping that the subtle tweaks will translate into real sales that may have been lost to the competition, since the MK7 Jetta launched to an equal amount of critical acclaim and heavy criticism. The latter mostly surrounded the compact becoming a very cheap and plebeian appliance, thereby losing its unique character and value proposition compared to previous models.
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