2016 Volkswagen Jetta SE 1.4L Turbo - POV First Impressions

I share my thoughts on the new 2016 VW Jetta SE after spending a week behind the wheel.
-Filmed with the Yi 4K Action Camera amzn.to/2pQ422L
-Audio recorded with Roland CS-10EM Binaural Mics amzn.to/2qKRbwA
Zoom H2n recorder amzn.to/2pQqVkq
Full List of Video Equipment: kit.com/TheTopher
Patreon: / thetopher
Instagram: / thetopher2
Facebook: / thetopheryoutube
The audio in this video was recorded with in-ear binaural microphones. With headphones or earbuds on, you'll feel like you're sitting in the driver's seat.
I'm also the producer for the Winding Road KZbin Channel:
/ windingroadmagazine
TheTopher on KZbin is the place where I share my personal automotive adventures. Whether it's about any of my personal cars or reviews on weekly test vehicles, the goal is to give you an idea of what a certain car is like to drive and live with. Most of my videos are filmed from the driver's point-of-view, or POV, with in-ear binaural audio.

[@curseknight5]

i've always like Volkswagen interiors, simple and clean.

[@reza.r4454]

too much hard plastic though (not top top top model)

[@zhicaofang2354]

Totally agree. The simplistic design is a huge factor in my purchase of this car.

[@buildmorefarms1007]

All cars have hard plastic..it is durable.

[@buildmorefarms1007]

Did you get the 1.4 turbo?

[@LA_Unconfidential]

I have a 2016 1.4t auto. I put on 40000 miles in 14 months with pretty hardcore driving........not one single problem. The jetta runs strong. The 1.4 hauls trust me, especially when passing on the highway and it handles like a 3 series. I would definitely recommend this car.

[@chocolatewheelchair]

seany versace what do you do for work that you drive that much man?

[@jettajerms942]

I have same exact jetta can confirm she is reliable and definitely hauls considering the price

[@gzies1]

Very nice car. I've had mine for 4 months now and I'm completely satisfied. I love the peppy 1.4t engine and great handling.

[@buildmorefarms1007]

+gzies1 Manual or automatic?

[@gzies1]

I've been a 'manual guy' all my life. When I bought my new Jetta I made a switch to automatic. I love the logical and smooth shifting sequence and the fact that I can throw it into Sports mode, if more torque is needed. I'm impressed by the automatic transmission.

[@buildmorefarms1007]

gzies1 Ok and the handling is sporty?

[@gzies1]

The engine is peppy, the transmission is responsive and the car corners very well. The VW Jetta is a mid-size sedan, not a sports car, but it is built for "Autobahn" driving.

[@zhicaofang2354]

I've had this car for over a year now and the driving experience is just amazing. Smooth steering and control, cuts corner very well. Good horsepower and torque to do what you want on highway. And attractive mileage on gas too. This is of course not a sports coupe, but it definitely produces sporty enjoyment while providing space close to a mid-sized sedan.

[@mirabal1238]

Yeah I just bought a 2017 and its got some mid range power that will put you in your seat

[@bluntedpeace]

care to update on this car if you still have it? i found one for a really good price with only 45k miles and i want to get it asap

[@CanadianCarterson]

@@bluntedpeace any chance you bought it? are you liking it?

[@AmarChugg]

I had to give you a thumbs up after you hit the horn. Hilarious!

[@jetta.josh4]

I love the plastic dash and stuff. They only leather-ise the parts you interact with, like the seats, arm rests, and wheel.

[@isiahfriedlander5559]

Josh _ yeah, pretty clean and minimalist, love this

[@professorh8398]

I test drove this car. The briefest turbo lag you could ever imagine and then it pulls like a unicorn until you merge onto the highway. I enjoyed it more than the Audi A3 because that turbo doesn't spool until nearly 60mph which you'll never get to because of TRAFFIC. It was soo frustrating. This 1.4t jetta, however, is, how do I put this...genuinely, surprisingly and uniquely fun. You'll find yourself saying the same things that this guy said in his video. The engine and transmission are 100% in sync, to an almost artful degree and the steering wheel feels perfect to the hands. Like, I want to own this car. This car was made with just the right amount of unicorns.

[@mujjuman]

Nice description and review of your experience with the Jetta! Thanks for sharing your thoughts

[@stopweefn]

just bought it as my first car a day ago and i loved the look it was sporty but yet practical but still would do good w some cosmetic changes. the second i got behind the wheel i test drove it out the parking lot made a u & signed 😭 i love it

[@DeathToRoman]

I've got the 2017 Jetta Sport 1.4LT, I love mine to death. If the purge valve didn't wear out so quickly. After a new intake, exhaust, and rims, pretty sharp looking ride.

[@FordGuy100]

I just picked one up. 2016 Jetta SE 1.4t MANUAL (hard to find). 15K out the door. First highway tank, 75mph cruise with AC (95* and humid out) netted me 44mpg's.

[@buildmorefarms1007]

Is it quick? How is the handling? Is it sporty?

[@FordGuy100]

buildmorefarms100 It makes peak torque down around 1400 RPM's and holds it there up till around 4000 IIRC. It makes it a torque little engine, and it moves the car around just fine. Top end power is OK, but its not the fastest car out there by any means. Its a great commuter, and has plenty of power to pass. Best tank so far was 46.4 MPG driving 75 MPH from Lincoln NE to Oklahoma City. Handling is pretty good IMO.

[@buildmorefarms1007]

FordGuy100 Wow!

[@natehiger410]

Is that a new or used?

[@FordGuy100]

New

[@buildmorefarms1007]

I could live in that trunk.

[@faeinthebay]

I'm helping a friend shop for cars and the Jetta looks like an incredible deal. An automatic SE in the LA area is $10.5k and comes with keyless entry, CarPlay, heated seats, and blind spot radar. Even Hyundais are more expensive.

[@jeffbauer3425]

I bought a 2016 silk blue metallic 1.4 tsi 5 manual, in November for $ 11,000 in Delray beach Florida. A former lease , 18,000 miles ,CPO warranty . Love it ! Put 7500 miles on it since. A great fun and solid car. Well built !

[@MK6CHRIS]

@@jeffbauer3425 great deal, great buy! Good choice my friend

[@jeffbauer3425]

@@MK6CHRIS Thanks. A few minor mods...K&N drop in af and a pedal control module. ( Roar pedal) which is a great addition $100. No issues with the car after I put 18,000 miles on it. Still under cpo warranty. A great German roadcar.!

[@MK6CHRIS]

@@jeffbauer3425 agreed! I'm in Palm Beach county too. I'm still under CPO too, currently at 49k miles. I modded with more on the way. You can check out my car if you want on my channel

[@kevink7777]

Thanks for a very good review !! It's refreshing to see a real road test review, since most reviews are just annoying dealer-feature walk-arounds.

[@Not_Sure_2505]

I just picked a manual 2017 1.4t up after my 2011 2.5 manual died. Its got good pep in the lower rpms where I normally drive. The only thing is if you look at the hp/torque curves, the torque peaks around 1800 and falls.. but useable till about 4500. HP climbs quicker in the early rpms as well, then tapers. I've noticed its great fun for the car that it is when im solo driving. With more than one person though, the extra weight definitely makes the lack of hp noticeable.

[@071949]

Really like the "angry German" horn...

[@gregorytrane7828]

Good video, well focused with the essentials, people are interested in, when purchasing a car, and you kept the pace steady and interesting enough to grasp the first time. Good job!

[@user-zj2js8xn3w]

Yu

[@user-zj2js8xn3w]

YYY

[@user-zj2js8xn3w]

SFFGKŹĐERty

[@torijgarrett]

I love my Volkswagen Jetta I brought my Daugther the 2010 model and I got a 2016 a few weeks ago with only 50k miles and it’s a manual I love it perfect car and no one can drive it but myself 😂 the best part

[@Wolklaw]

Pros of driving stick, I'm the only one who can drive it too xD I'm actually getting a Jetta 2016 comfortline this week at 50 something miles as well, how does the clutch feel? I hated my focus ses for thatm

[@amkostar9358]

awesome car. just bought one today.

[@HadEnough745]

My 2016 SE 5 speed manual is quicker than I anticipated. I leave cars in the dust when I have to..

[@MK6CHRIS]

its the torque master

[@TheTopher]

Recorded in binaural audio, wear headphones if possible!

[@yongutsa]

+TheTopher How is the driving dynamic compared to the new Civic?

[@robertomachuca1525]

I noticed!!!! That's awesome.

[@mirabal1238]

This is my first vw car and I love it. Next car I want to buy is a gti tho.

[@MK6CHRIS]

me and you both LOL. I wanted a GTI, next will be a 6mt 2019 Golf R :)

[@victoriafonova9692]

I'm so excited, just got one of these off of copart and itll be fixed up soon enough:) mines a manual

[@vaniko595]

what year and what was your bid at the auction?

[@JawannL]

Came for the horn test. I'm pleased

[@curtisogden3965]

I'm just gonna lease VWs from now on. Super affordable and they're great when they're new.

[@OceanPiper013]

Thanks for the review loved the horn test!

[@henrygarcia6167]

“for testing reasons of course” this man definitely fucks in the jetta

[@gloriapetruzcamorenolol8076]

Excellent Jetta and video excellent JETTA!!!! 😉

[@mujjuman]

lol love ur username!

[@brentaudi9354]

The 2018 Upwards is married to an 8 speed auto. Great combination.

[@erickar2634]

I enjoyed the review this car is really nice 👍🏼

[@hhvxsueus9771]

Plz make a video about changing the units

[@Kyle-nq5si]

good straight forward review I liked it.

[@Marylandfisherman]

Just bought one

[@deanhansen5041]

Fast forward 4 years later. Who owns one and is not having problems after 70k miles? I am looking at buying a used one.

[@jorbjorb1]

I haven’t had any issues at 40k miles yet. Car will be 5 years old in December.

[@MK6CHRIS]

a lot of people are well over 100k, I'm at 50k.

[@xxk4rilsxx]

Are these reliable? How many city miles do these generally last? I’m seeing 2018s pop up with 20-30K miles for 9,000$

[@jdcastle5462]

Mine is a 2016 with only 5k on it, drives so smooth.

[@amysuh4034]

How would it drive during winter in snow with winter tire vs all season tire?

[@chadsteffens1874]

I have the same car in Black but cloth interior. It only has a hair over 12k on it.

[@desotokid99]

How is visibility to the rear of the car ?

[@balazsmolnar9418]

Q: How many month did you wait for this car from the order

[@mujjuman]

thanks for this simple pov drive review and showing how the transmisson shifts while driving normally. i appreciate it. i wonder if this is an Aisin tranmsioin

[@jorbjorb1]

engine is from germany, transmission is from japan. various other parts are from mexico.

[@TheMlvswoll]

Not 100% but I believe Aisin. Same as Toyota uses.

[@grahamm4814]

I would prefer the 1.8l TSI

[@flee78]

You da man.

[@luuhsetty8074]

is it hard to maintain it?

[@TheSpeedyspeedster-s10]

I have a 2016 Vw jetta sti or tsi idk how it’s pronounced but it is pretty fast and awesome

[@bigapple3991]

I think the one u r driving is the SEL , which is 1.8T not 1.4T. Only S and SE comes with 1.4T

[@frankieh5277]

Don't get the 1.4t i just got it after i had 2014 se with 1.8t and i hate it its weak sauce compared to the 1.8 ... fml

[@laeme3199]

Single turbo 1.4 148hp/250nm?

[@mujjuman]

yes

[@chipdouglas3565]

Do you prefer the Golf or the Jetta ?

[@matthews95_]

as objectively as you can, how difference is the cost of ownership going to be with a Jetta vs a Civic, for the person who doesn't drive like a maniac?

[@benjaminrojas3166]

Ol leikn water them plants thought it was larry

[@buildmorefarms1007]

I wonder if the manual version of the 1.4 turbo is quicker/more fun?

[@5.7_TY]

I test drove a manual and I'll just say id never buy it in automatic lol

[@buildmorefarms1007]

Ty White Was it fun, peppy? Please describe!

[@5.7_TY]

+buildmorefarms100 yea it's pretty peppy. Clutch is very easy to use and there is minimal turbo lag. I didn't push it too hard cause it had 2 miles on it.

[@buildmorefarms1007]

Ty White Sounds fun for a big smaller car.

[@5.7_TY]

+buildmorefarms100 a lot more fun than my 2003 Jetta 1.8t auto for sure

[@mujjuman]

Asking people in the comments... Jetta 1.4T vs Civic vs Corolla which one would you choose and why?

[@MK6CHRIS]

The civic styling isn't for everyone. The Jetta is simple. The corolla matches that. Corolla doesn't really have a feeling of power when you drive it, but the civic and jetta both do. Jetta gets better real world gas mpg. The civic is slightly quicker than the Jetta. Just my thinking, I got the Jetta.

[@mujjuman]

VW Jetta best car

[@josephfelix5932]

can't find his night POV of this car

[@5.7_TY]

Look up winding road magazine

[@headlinesgenerator5426]

NOISY!

[@keyshawnrussell245]

Headlines Generator RAINING!

[@mjl7810]

2016 base model for 112537 miles for $9000 should I go for it?

[@GM-br7qj]

Yes if it's a clean carfax

[@torijgarrett]

I got the 2016 base model TSI S for $8900 with 50 thousand miles but that’s not too bad

[@MK6CHRIS]

wish i saw this sooner. NO!

[@drqtpatootie3128]

Nice car but I prefer my mk5 jetta

[@santyago24080]

6k revs on every junction? Engine taken out of a food processor, maybe?

[@RobertBrumley60]

Hell with apple, can other smart phones be used besides Apple? Not everybody has Apple junk.

[@lilyrae6698]

Yes, it has more options besides apple😂

[@AccountantByDay553]

Yes I own one and use my android every day.

[@jetta.josh4]

Yes, they have AndroidAuto and Mirrorlink (which I can't seem to make work)

[@masonresendes2865]

What trim level is that?

[@5.7_TY]

The title clearly says "SE"

[@torijgarrett]

I think he mint what the SE level carry as far as extras in the car

[@Max_ellis74]

Is the Volkswagen Jetta Gli reliable.

[@MK6CHRIS]

if you maintain and take care of it properly . Yes it can be

[@ogs1951]

32 MPG? i Have a juke and i get about 42-47MPG on average on a motorway, if your on a level road its goes up to about 52, however i am looking at getting a jetta but dont want to be forever filling it up, i believe the Juke has a small tank capacity

[@jc5604]

lol he said "I have a juke". Ha GAAAAYYYYYYY!

[@willcarlson8279]

There is a lot of wind in this video. Normally the Jetta does get about 40 mpg. He is most likely going into a headwind, clearly during a storm.

[@buildmorefarms1007]

Imperial gallon is larger than the USA gallon.

[@willcarlson8279]

I am talking about US gallons. In US gallons, the Jetta will top out at about 44 mpg and typically runs at about 38 mpg. Edit: I should say highway driving, not city

[@buildmorefarms1007]

Will Carlson My comment was for the opening poster not you. No Juke gets 52mpg on a US gallon of gas.

[@rdd2s403]

You’re supposed to floor it (;

[@froggydoes7092]

Hopefully the charge to service the transmission is cheaper than the $$$ to service the DSG.

[@njo2994]

It is. Mine was under $300 for transmission service and oil change with tire rotation.

[@mustasheolll2020]

This generation’s interior was a bit bland, they had to cheap out because the generation before this was too costly to make.

[@dominiclapointe6635]

jette 2.o is the best😊

[@BaldCreations]

Poor engine getting red lined like crazy lol

[@devh8173]

Please get rid off the head cam, invest in some mounts and mount a camera or a phone.

[@bullsfan2021]

I drive one of these and the horn sounds dinky and pathetic as hell

[@FriedChkn4Eva]

@0.29 .. Yes it is, ALL of the VW's (nearly, most models) come DSG... do you even know what it is to look at? That '+' and "-" signs next to your D- Economy mode... that's the DSG dummy! lol. And yes it Does have an impressive wastegate and manifold sounds if you learn to drive it shifting gears...that's why you think it isn't "impressive" as you say.

[@MK6CHRIS]

that's the tiptronic transmission. And I agree with the second part. Since I have one, I know

[@RealTeflonJuan]

The shocking mail mathematically march because pajama implicitly lighten sans a disastrous burn. overjoyed, swanky station

[@TheTopher]

My sentiments exactly

[@campampates]

all jettas are very nice the first 3 years or so...after that...you're plagued with eternal check engine lights and expensive repairs.

[@mujjuman]

i have 3 jettas... no CEL and no, the light bulb isnt burned out

[@0michoacano]

Automatic 🤢

[@jeffbauer3425]

I've got a 2016 Jetta 1.4 tsi 5 spd.

[@hellbent6344]

God damm I hate the way you drive, you twist that steering wheel so much, I drive the same car and I don’t turn it as far as you do.

[@caseyhall5125]

Loser