
The 2019 Bora has five gears: P, R, N, D, and S. 1. P is the parking lock gear, used when the car is parked or completely stationary; 2. R is the reverse gear. When using this gear, the car must be completely stationary before engaging. It is strictly prohibited to shift from a forward gear to reverse while the car is moving to prevent damage to the gears; 3. N is the neutral gear, used when the vehicle is temporarily stopped, such as waiting at a traffic light; 4. D is the automatic driving gear. In this gear, the transmission will automatically switch between 1st and 6th gears based on speed and throttle conditions; 5. S is the sport gear, generally used in situations like traffic jams, close-range racing, climbing slopes, and quick overtaking. The 2019 Bora has a length, width, and height of 4523mm, 1775mm, and 1467mm respectively, with a wheelbase of 2610mm.

I know the 2019 Bora like the back of my hand. The manual version comes with a classic 5-speed transmission, with tightly spaced gear ratios that give it plenty of low-end torque for climbing hills. The automatic has two options: one is the older 1.5L naturally aspirated engine paired with an Aisin 6AT, which runs at higher RPMs on the highway; the other is the newer 1.4T, equipped with Volkswagen's own 7-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission that shifts as fast as lightning in city driving. Some owners worry about the reliability of the dry dual-clutch, but the technology is much more mature now—just avoid prolonged half-clutch braking, and you'll be fine. For manual drivers, remember to press the clutch all the way down when shifting, or you might grind the gears.

Anyone who has driven the 2019 Bora 1.4T knows that its 7-speed dual-clutch transmission has seven forward gears. It automatically shifts when in D mode, while S mode keeps the revs higher. Once during rush hour traffic on an elevated road, frequent shifts between first and second gears caused slight jerks, but it was much more responsive than the older 6AT. Remember to change the transmission fluid at 60,000 km, or the valve body may develop issues. Personally, I find my friend's manual transmission more hassle-free—its five gears are crisp and easy to engage, and the clutch isn't heavy, though the left foot suffers in traffic jams.

The gear setup of the 2019 Bora depends on the specific configuration. The classic automatic version still uses the 6AT transmission, with PRNDS printed on the gear knob. The new-generation Bora automatic is equipped with a DQ200 seven-speed dual-clutch, and the gear lever has been replaced with a shorter electronic one. The manual five-speed has a relatively long shift throw; it engages crisply when new, but after prolonged use, third gear might occasionally stick. With the auto start-stop paired with the dual-clutch, note that pressing the brake firmly shifts to N, while lightly pressing keeps it in first gear—a detail many beginners find confusing.

After reviewing the materials, the 2019 Bora automatic transmission comes in two versions: the standard model uses a 1.5L engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission (6AT) with six forward gears; the 280TSI model features a 1.4T engine matched with a 7-speed dry dual-clutch transmission, offering a 15% wider gear ratio range. The manual transmission remains a 5-speed, but the synchronizers have been optimized. It is recommended that dual-clutch owners switch to manual mode and fix it in second gear during traffic jams to reduce clutch plate wear. I tested cruising at 90 km/h in seventh gear, with the engine speed at only 1800 rpm, which indeed saves fuel. The issue of the old 6AT being slightly slow to downshift has been significantly improved in the new transmission.

A colleague just bought a used 2019 Bora and let me test drive it. I noticed an interesting phenomenon: the 1.4T DSG shows 'D' in drive mode, but actually has seven different gear ratios. When climbing a parking garage ramp, switching to manual mode is more stable, as the system won't shift up randomly. The 'L' gear in the older 6AT is actually equivalent to the 'M1' gear in the DSG. Many owners mistakenly think the 'S' gear is the seventh gear, but it's actually sport mode, which essentially just delays upshifting while still using the same seven gears. When reversing with a manual transmission, be careful—the reverse gear requires pressing down to engage, which beginners often get wrong.


