Volkswagen’s New Sedan Makes The Jetta Look Stuck In The Past

Sedan Strategy Lives On

While some brands have focused their strategies on crossovers and SUVs, Volkswagen has said it is not walking away from sedans and hatchbacks. In the U.S., the sedan option is limited to the Jetta, which comes with a fairly conservative design language and practical features.

That stands in stark contrast to Volkswagen's new sedan in China called the ID. Era 5S, which has a more apparent modern appeal. ID. Era is a model line developed by the SAIC-Volkswagen joint venture, and the ID. Era 5S is its second model following the ID. Era 9X full-size crossover. CarNewsChina reported that the new sedan not only brings modern aesthetics, but also a plug-in hybrid system with a mixed range of up to 2,000 km, or 1,242 miles.

Following The Trend

At the front, the ID. Era 5S gets slim lighting elements and a full-width LED light bar, similar to modern cars like the Chevrolet Equinox EV, or, in VW's own lineup, the ID.4 EV. The new sedan, however, adopts semi-hidden door handles rather than the fully flush-type handles popularized by Tesla, a design China is moving to ban over safety concerns.

Speaking of Tesla, the ID. Era 5S also adopts a minimalist interior design similar to the Model 3 and Model Y. Available in either dark or light color schemes, the cabin is equipped with a floating infotainment touchscreen, a two-spoke double-D-shaped steering wheel, and an ambient lighting strip.

The 1,242-mile mixed range is made possible by a plug-in hybrid system that pairs a 1.5-liter combustion engine with a 174-horsepower electric motor. It also enables an all-electric driving range of 160 km, or about 99 miles. On paper, that beats every PHEV currently available in the U.S., including the Mercedes-Benz GLC, which is rated at 54 miles of electric range. However, it is worth noting that the ID. Era 5S’s EV range is based on China’s CLTC cycle, which is usually more generous than EPA standards in the U.S.

Volkswagen's Two Worlds

While the ID. Era 5S provides a more trend-conscious take on a Volkswagen sedan, the ID. Era lineup is focused on the Chinese market, so the new model won't directly challenge the Jetta anytime soon. Still, it shows what VW is developing in one of the world’s most competitive markets, and if it becomes a hit, it could influence future global models.

Back in the U.S., the latest Jetta update is that Volkswagen is dropping the manual gearbox option from the Jetta GLI after the 2026 model year, leaving the 7-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission as the sole option. The current Jetta generation debuted for the 2019 model year and has since received two major updates.

View the full article