Volkswagen Jetta – Review, Specs, Pricing, Features, Videos and More

As has been the case for decades, Volkswagen’s compact car entry continues to be the Jetta. Although, using the term compact is a bit of a stretch as the Jetta has grown over the years. Regular Jettas use a punchy, fuel efficient 1.5-liter turbocharged engine. The more performance orientated GLI gets a larger, more potent 228 hp 2.0-liter unit.

A six-speed manual can still be had on lower trim versions of the Jetta while the rest of the cars utilize a seven-speed dual clutch automatic. Compact car offerings aren’t as numerous as they once were, leaving the Jetta as one of the few choices left.

A few generations ago the Volkswagen Jetta took a seismic shift in direction.

The small, compact, premium German sedan transitioned into a large, value-packed family vehicle. Many faithful Jetta fans were aghast at the car’s sudden change in philosophy. But in hindsight, Volkswagen was right. While compact cars like the Chevrolet Cruze, Mitsubishi Lancer, Ford Focus, and Dodge Dart have been put out to pasture, the Jetta soldiers on. In fact, last year it even received a significant update.

So how does a vehicle like the Volkswagen Jetta SEL continue to survive? It’s a simple formula really; offering near mid-size sedan features and sizing, at compact car prices, all while offering a decidedly sophisticated drivetrain.

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When it comes to affordable, compact German sedans, there’s only one choice: the Jetta.

Volkswagen has been making small, people-pleasing cars for several decades and the brand’s current Jetta is no exception. There’s a reason it’s still on sale while many compact competitors have fallen by the wayside.

Part of the Jetta’s appeal is the low entry price. It offers a lot of car and features for not a lot of money. But is the lowest priced Jetta the best value? Or is it worth stepping up a few trim levels? That’s what we plan to find out in our head-to-head matchup of the Volkswagen Jetta S vs SE.

Read the Full Comparison Here.



Did you know that Volkswagen has, at least since the 1980s, mostly named its models after winds?

Yup, like “Scirocco,” “Tiguan,” and even “Golf,” which I guess is German for “Gulf.” But the most common wind blowing from Wolfsburg is Jetta, the German word for “Jet Stream,” apparently. Who knew there were so many words for wind?

If you didn’t know what Jetta meant, there’s a good chance you know the model. Volkswagen, at least in the US, where sedans were king before SUVs and CUVs came and pulled the rug out from under them, has sold 3.2 million Jettas since 1980. And VW still does well with the Jetta, with 2019 sales—and that was the last normal year—around the 100,000 mark, more than a quarter of all VWs sold.

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Manufacturers still care about enthusiasts and we have proof.

Sedans cannot match up to the utility and road presence of a crossover. True. Also true, a crossover can’t handle nearly as well as a sedan or look good while doing it. While the sedan has fallen out of favor among buyers in favor of the crossover, it’s heartening to see automakers still care enough about it (and us) to make sportier versions of their regular ones.

Volkswagen’s Jetta GLI has been around forever and is by far the best Jetta in the lineup has to offer. Plus, hailing from a brand that has produced greats like the Golf GTi and Sirocco R, the Jetta GLI will be a tough nut to crack for the rookie. But can it go toe to toe with the veteran or is the 2021 Hyundai Elantra N Line a second fiddle at best.

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For 2022, the Honda Civic came out with a redesign of the exterior and interior. The perennial favorite now sports a cleaner, less controversial design than the previous generation, with a larger wheelbase and corresponding price increase to offset the upgrade.

The Volkswagen Jetta also receives a minor refresh for the year, but the changes are minor and mostly cosmetic. A new engine borrowed from the Taos now finds its way into the lineup, and with a starting price of just $21,360 (including destination), it drives the bargain play against the competition.

Does the new Jetta offer enough to lure potential buyers away from the obvious choice? It’s the Honda Civic versus Volkswagen Jetta in a head-to-head comparison of features and capabilities.

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