Big Updates In Store For The 2014 Volkswagen Jetta

There's a big update in store for the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta, and it involves a number of changes underneath the compact sedan's skin aimed at improving its driving experience.  In fact, it's not a stretch to say that these upgrades are worth waiting for, especially for buyers currently considering the base model Jetta.

The most prominent news is that the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta will be saying 'good-bye' to its 2.5-liter, five-cylinder entry-level motor, which is being replaced with a 1.8-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder unit.  What makes this an engine swap so noteworthy?  The 2.5-liter's coarse character and middling fuel economy have not endeared it to the masses, and given the turbo mill's 170 horsepower matches that of the larger five-cylinder while delivering slightly more torque and a roughly 10 percent improvement in efficiency (thanks in part to direct fuel injection), there is much cause for celebration for its replacement.

The Jetta also gains electric power steering and a new rear axle design that moves from a torsion bar to a multilink setup that offers significantly better handling and comfort.  It's the same rear hardware that is used underneath the Volkswagen GLI, which is the sportiest version of the Jetta available.