Overview
Compact sedans may not be the hot sellers they were a couple decades ago, but the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta remains steadfast as one of the best affordable compact sedans sold today. Often referred to as a Volkswagen Golf with a trunk, it shares some of that model’s joie de vivre, which is good as the base, non-GTI Golf is no longer sold in the U.S. But that doesn’t mean it’s got the segment to itself; the Honda Civic and Mazda 3, for instance, put up some tough competition, and the latter offers all-wheel drive. Thankfully, the Jetta inherited some of the Golf’s better traits, including agile handling that goes a long way to make the most of its 158-horsepower turbocharged inline-four engine. Drivers ins search of more power and sportier handling are encouraged to check out the 228-hp Jetta GLI, reviewed separately. The standard Jetta’s kit includes a six-speed manual, but an eight-speed automatic transmission is on tap for a few hundred bucks extra. Heated power exterior mirrors, cloth upholstery, and a smattering of safety features including forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking are standard in the base S, and a host of excellent infotainment offerings and upgrades are available. Excellent fuel economy is standard, too: the last Jetta we tested returned an impressive 42 mpg on our real-world 75-mph highway fuel-economy test.
What’s New for 2024?
The big news for 2024 is the fitment of VW’s IQ.Drive driver-assistance suite as standard equipment from the base S trim up. Also added for 2024 are an eco-leather steering wheel, leather gearshift knob, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and rain sensing wipers. The next rung up Sport trim gets standard heated front seats and a space-saving, lightweight spare.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The Sport trim level brings some nice features over the base model for not a lot of investment. It includes 17-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, a slightly sportier front bumper design, and VW’s XDS brake-based limited-slip differential. The SE adds power seats, keyless entry and a few additional upgrades. The SEL brings ventilated leather seating (heated front and rear), a sunroof and other luxuries, but the sweet spot remains the SE.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
A turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder making 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque powers every Jetta. The base S has a six-speed manual transmission as standard, but an eight-speed automatic is optional. The last SEL we strapped our test gear to was equipped with an automatic, and it knocked off the zero-to-60-mph run in 7.1 seconds, 0.6 seconds faster than the previous automatic Jetta we tested. Our manual-equipped Jetta fared similarly, though it hit 100 mph 0.6 seconds sooner than the auto box. The chassis is tuned more for a quiet and comfortable ride than razor-edge handling, but that doesn’t mean it’s not entertaining within its limits; just know that steering isn’t as precise as its GLI sibling’s or even the Mazda 3‘s. In this case, “performance” means a pleasant personality that doesn’t mind stretching its legs when called upon.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The 2024 VW Jetta is fuel-miser regardless of trim. The base S with the automatic takes the top efficiency honors with an EPA-estimated 31 mpg city and 41 mpg highway while the manual-equipped version gets an EPA-rated 29 mpg and 42 mpg highway. Note however, that the Jetta Sport, SE, and SEL trims get slightly lower ratings due to equipment differences, checking in with 29 mpg city and 40 mpg highway. We’re pleased to report that both manual and automatic Jetta’s exceeded their EPA Highway estimates in our 75-mph fuel-economy route. The manual Jetta returned an impressive 44 mpg while the eight-speed automatic returned and equally as impressive 42 mpg. For more information about the Jetta’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Like its Golf sibling, the Jetta provides a satisfying amount of front passenger head, shoulder, and legroom. The design is contemporary, and although the feature content increases with each higher trim, every cabin caters to the driver and boasts excellent outward visibility. The base S has cloth upholstery, manually adjustable seats, useful door pockets, and a deep center-console bin. Features including ambient interior lighting, wireless device charging, and ventilated front seats are reserved for the most expensive models. Though the Golf GTI hatchback trades partially on its cargo capacity, our testing revealed the Jetta held seven bags out of sight in its trunk whereas the Golf swallowed only five behind its rear seat. Likewise, the Jetta held three extra bags more than the Golf (18 total) with the back seats folded, so there’s no need to feel like your forgoing cargo space by selecting the Jetta over a Golf.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Jetta S, Sport, and SE trims get a basic 8-inch digital gauge cluster; the SEL gets a 10.3-inch fully customizable setup. Likewise, Jetta S, Sport, and SE models are equipped with a small 6.5-inch touchscreen display with attendant hard knobs for volume and tuning that sidesteps the controversial new setup in the Golf GTI; the SEL utilizes the newer infotainment interface with a glass-covered 8.0-inch display, as well a 12-speaker stereo. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability are baked in (wireless is extra on most model, but standard on the SEL), and VW’s Car-Net feature allows for gesture controls such as swiping and pinch-to-zoom. Every Jetta has a mobile hotspot as long as you’re willing to pay for a subscription-based data plan, and wireless charging is standard on the top two trim levels.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Even the entry-level Jetta comes with a handful of standard driver-assistance technology, and upgraded equipment such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist are all available. For more information about the Jetta’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
- Standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
- Available adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Volkswagen has an above-average limited warranty and below-average powertrain coverage. To offset the latter, the company provides some complimentary maintenance.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for two years or 20,000 miles
Specifications
Specifications
2022 Volkswagen Jetta SEL
Vehicle Type: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $29,090/$29,090
Options: none
ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 91 in3, 1498 cm3
Power: 158 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque: 184 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/torsion beam
Brakes, F/R: 11.3-in vented disc/10.7-in disc
Tires: Bridgestone Turanza LS100
205/55R-17 91H M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 105.7 in
Length: 186.5 in
Width: 70.8 in
Height: 57.7 in
Passenger Volume: 94 ft3
Trunk Volume: 14 ft3
Curb Weight: 3131 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 7.1 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.5 sec @ 91 mph
100 mph: 19.2 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 7.6 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.1 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 5.4 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 126 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 189 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.81 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 27 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 42 mpg
Highway Range: 550 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 33/29/40 mpg
2023 Volkswagen Jetta Sport
Vehicle Type: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $22,650/$23,605
Options: Driver Assistance package (adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping system, blind-spot warning, rain-sensing wipers, leather-wrapped steering wheel), $955
ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 91 in3, 1498 cm3
Power: 158 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque: 184 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm
TRANSMISSION
6-speed manual
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/torsion beam
Brakes, F/R: 11.3-in vented disc/10.7-in disc
Tires: Nexen N FERA AU7
205/55R-17 91H M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 105.7 in
Length: 186.5 in
Width: 70.8 in
Height: 57.7 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 51/43 ft3
Trunk Volume: 14 ft3
Curb Weight: 2937 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 7.0 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.5 sec @ 92 mph
100 mph: 18.6 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.4 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 8.0 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 28.7 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 13.6 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 128 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 176 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.87 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 26 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 44 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 580 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 34/29/42 mpg
