cars news 10: Volkswagen Drops Jetta Hybrid, Simplifies Lineup for 2017

Volkswagen has announced mostly minor changes to its lineup for the 2017 model year. One of the biggest changes we haven’t already reported is that the Jetta Hybrid says goodbye.

Originally brought out for the 2013 model year, the Jetta Hybrid had a short life. Although it scored a middling third place in our 2013 hybrid and diesel sedan Big Test, it won praise from our judges for its technical prowess. The most recent 2016 model topped out at 42/48 mpg city/highway.

VW is making other small but meaningful changes to the Jetta range for 2017. Rearview camera is finally standard on the base model, as are LED daytime running lights and two-tone cloth seats. There are now just four available trims, including the S, SE, SEL and SEL Premium. The model also adds new driver assistance features to lower trims.

For 2017, VW is consolidating its semi-premium, Passat look-a-like CC sedans. It has deleted the Trend, R-Line 2.0T, and V6 Executive trim levels.

As we knew, the Golf family adds the Alltrack model, a rugged-looking, outdoorsy version of the standard SportWagen. The GTI adds a Sport trim that includes the Performance Package as standard. Two-door models will only be available in the S trim. Another VW hatch, the Beetle, gains several new special-edition models for the new model year, including the #PinkBeetle, Dune, and Classic model.

The Tiguan ditches the R-Line and SE trims for 2017, although it adds Wolfsburg and Sport models. New standard features include an infotainment system with 6.3 touchscreen and USB, Bluetooth, and VW Car-Net.

Source: Volkswagen