Overview & Reviews

Few small cars have the following of the Volkswagen Jetta, one of the company's best-selling models in the United States. The name, says VW, refers to the Atlantic jetstream, "combined with the luxury and power of a modern jetliner." We're not sure about comparing the cabin and performance of this compact sedan and wagon to a Lear jet, but for much of its history, the Jetta appealed to buyers with its upscale design, refined cabin and strong engine options. It essentially bridged the gap between everyday compact economy cars and entry-level premium brand compact sedans. It was a niche almost unto itself.

More recent times, however, have seen VW go mainstream with the Jetta, cutting its price to make it a more viable option for small car shoppers. One of the most notable downsides of the associated cost-cutting was cheaper cabin trim. So more modern versions are cheaper but less distinctive. That said, a new or used Jetta remains a solid pick for shoppers looking for a compact car with European flair, good performance and, in the case of the TDI-powered versions, impressive fuel efficiency.

Current Volkswagen Jetta
The Volkswagen Jetta is VW's most affordable sedan. There are five trim levels available: base, S, SE, SEL and TDI. The Jetta Hybrid and the performance-oriented Jetta GLI are both reviewed separately.

The base car is a stripper that must be special ordered and doesn't even come with air-conditioning. The S comes more reasonably equipped, with power/heated side mirrors, power door locks, air-conditioning and keyless entry. Both of these trims are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces a wheezy 115 horsepower. A five-speed manual transmission is standard and a six-speed automatic is optional.

Stepping up to the SE and SEL trims gets you a more desirable 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 170 hp and 184 pound-feet of torque. The SE gets the same transmission choices as the lower trims, while the SEL is automatic-only. Besides the engine, these upper trims have access to more standard and optional features like heated front seats, Bluetooth and an iPod interface. The TDI, which is equipped similarly to the SE, features a 2.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder that is 50-state compliant and produces 140 hp and very impressive fuel economy. A six-speed manual or Volkswagen's DSG dual-clutch automated manual transmission are available.

In reviews, we've found the latest Jetta to be a fairly refined, roomy and comfortable compact sedan. The improvements made this year, such as the replacement of the humdrum five-cylinder engine with a perkier turbocharged four-cylinder and the fitment of an independent rear suspension for all trim levels, have boosted both overall performance and handling composure. As such, the current Jetta stands as one of the more appealing choices in this segment.

Used Volkswagen Jetta Models
The current, sixth-generation Jetta debuted for 2011. Compared to the previous generation, this Jetta is bigger and has a roomier backseat. But it also lacks the upscale interior of prior models.

The original engine lineup consisted of the base 2.0-liter inline-4 (115 hp and 125 lb-ft), a 2.5-liter inline-5 (170 hp and 177 lb-ft) and the turbocharged 2.0-liter diesel inline-4 (140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque). The first two engines could be had with either a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission, while the diesel offered a choice between a six-speed manual and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic.

The following year saw only minor changes, while four-wheel disc brakes were made standard across the board for 2013. Potential buyers should note that these Jettas, though otherwise similar, lack the current Jetta's notable improvements. The latter include a more sophisticated fully independent rear suspension (previously exclusive to the Jetta GLI) for all trims as well as the substitution of the peppy yet more fuel-efficient turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine for the previous five-cylinder engine. These years also lack the availability of a rearview camera and VW Car-Net telematics.

The previous VW Jetta marked the fifth generation of Volkswagen's venerable four-door. It was introduced for 2005 (overlapping with the previous generation for one year) and ran through 2010. The sedan was the only available body style until the debut of the Sportwagen in 2009. Unlike the current car, the sedan and wagon were nearly identical save for the latter's extra cargo space.

Trim levels originally included the Value Edition, 2.5, TDI, 2.0T and GLI. The base engine was a 2.5-liter five-cylinder that initially made 150 hp, while the 2.0T and GLI featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produced 200 hp. This engine was available with Volkswagen's appealing DSG dual-clutch automated manual transmission.

The first diesel-powered fifth-generation TDI became the victim of new emissions regulations after 2006, but for those interested in getting excellent fuel economy, a used 2005-'06 Jetta TDI with its 1.9-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder (100 hp, 177 lb-ft of torque) should be a good pick. The TDI returned for 2009 with a new, cleaner-burning 2.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder that produced 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual was standard and DSG was optional.

For 2008, VW reorganized the trim levels to S, SE, Wolfsburg (featuring the 2.0T engine) and SEL trims. The base engine's output rose by 20 horses (to 170 hp) and the GLI became its own distinct model within the VW family. The following year VW added more standard equipment (including stability control) and introduced an improved navigation system. Notably, '09 was the only year you could get the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine in the Sportwagen; it came with the SEL trim level. For this Jetta's final year, VW improved the interior and created the sport-tuned TDI Cup "Street" Edition.

In reviews, we found this Volkswagen Jetta set itself apart from domestic and Japanese economy sedans by offering a distinctly European interior and driving experience. It was a bit more expensive, but its higher-quality cabin, generous features list and quality engineering made it seem worth the extra investment. This Jetta was also a bit bigger than before, offering generous legroom, a large trunk and a more compliant ride than before. The GLI was also quite fun to drive. If there was anything that held this Jetta back, it was its styling, which just didn't resonate with buyers like its hugely successful predecessor.

The fourth generation, sold in sedan form from 1999-2005 and as a wagon from 2001-'05, was the most popular Jetta yet, and arguably the best-looking. It received minor styling and interior updates for 2004. Front seat-mounted side airbags were standard throughout the run; full-length side curtain airbags were added for 2001. It was also an entertaining car to drive and had top-notch build and materials quality. Scant rear-seat legroom was its major shortcoming. Although reliability has been spotty, a fourth-gen Volkswagen Jetta is still a good buy on the used market if its service history checks out clean.

As the base 2.0-liter engine offered weak acceleration and mediocre fuel economy, we recommend getting a fourth-generation Jetta with the excellent turbocharged 1.8T four-cylinder. It was available on the sedan starting in 2000 and on the wagon starting in 2002. Horsepower on the 1.8T also went from 150 to 180 in '02, but both versions of this engine were enjoyable. For even more power (but worse fuel economy), the VR6 engine was available, first with 174 hp and later upgraded to 200 hp for '02. This engine was only available on the sport-tuned GLI model for 2004 and later. With its firmer suspension and sport-themed body modifications, the GLI could also be had with the 180-hp 1.8T engine.

The diesel-powered Jetta TDI was offered throughout this generation (2002-'05 on the wagon) and provided mileage in the 40s. The 1.9-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder initially produced 90 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque and was upgraded to 100 hp and 177 lb-ft for 2004.

Although not as upscale as its successors, the third-generation VW Jetta was also quite popular. It was on sale from 1993 to mid-1999, though a strike at the assembly plant significantly limited '93 sales. Dual front airbags were phased in during the '94 model year. Air-conditioning was standard on most Jettas of this era, and ABS was generally optional. None of the third-gen Volkswagen Jettas were quick, not even the GLX model, which had a 172-hp VR6 engine, but all exhibited responsive handling.

User Reviews:

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  Very Fun Car!!! - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By abnerutk - December 24 - 2:00 am

  I travel quite a bit, which requires me to rent cars. I have to say that everytime that I come home, the Jetta is like a new toy that I opened at Xmas. It is SOOO fun, fast, and SWEET looking. The only problem that I see is slight interior design problems and potential quality problems. At 2,000 miles I had an air conditioner compressor replaced, and now the clutch feels a little spongy and the gear shifter is rough going into first. Reading other customers complaints Im a little skeptical of the build quality, so well see!

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  Lots Of Fun To Drive - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By EricT - December 24 - 2:00 am

  I dont know what others are talking about! This car is great. I just bought it and really love it. It is very fast and comfy. The leather is awesome, and I really like the heated seats. Sure it is a bit pricey, but well worth it.

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  Diesel Jetta - 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Vence6 - December 22 - 11:13 am

  My 2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI is a great vehicle. It is fun to drive, incredibly fuel efficiency, and oh yeah it has pick up. It also has a good sound system, rich interior and oh did I mention that it is fun to drive!

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  good fun car - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By duja - December 22 - 10:00 am

  The Jetta is a good, fun, reliable (mostly) car. No major problems exept cosmetic (glove box door broke? how?, passenger side window fell in once, and the turn signals stopped working). This is all very minor compared to the problems in my previous american made cars. Good gas mileage, very sporty and fast for what it cost.

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  Great car for the money. - 2017 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jetta owner - December 21 - 10:03 am

  Comfortable, roomy, fast, car-net app and sat nav are great. Leather seats are better than the standard leatherette seats. If I could change anything would be to the cheap looking plastics on the dash and add auto lights/wipers and dimming rear view mirror and autonomous braking.

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  The Best Jetta Ever - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By H.Pfadt - December 20 - 9:53 pm

  This is my third Jetta in six years. Volkswagen has taken the previous model and improved it beyond my wildest expectations.The improvements in features alone are too numerous to mention.Fit and finish ranks up there with the best, any European Car maker has to offer.It is a quality Automobile.Drove my other two Jettas 140K each and passed them on in the family. They are still running great. Volkswagen , " Keep up the good work". You are gaining customers for life.

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  Got the Bad One Off the Lot - 2006 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Lemon Boy - December 20 - 6:36 am

  I purchased my 2006 Jetta in September 2005. The car spent over 60 days total in the shop until February 2006. It had a fuel injection problem with intermittent loss of power. VW bought it back in January 06. I noticed the new car had more power and drove nicely (except for the clutch was very light and required a little bit more gas pedal.) The shop that services my car checked out everything on my car and said everything is OK. I took it to another dealership and they were amazed that I could drive it because the clutch was not engaging properly. I told them that this cars clutch was exactly like the first one I had and that I was told that this was normal. I drove a new 2007 TDI and it was much better. I traded it in for a Rabbit.

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  99 Jetta GLX after 3.5 years - 1999 Volkswagen Jetta
  By brianSD - December 20 - 2:00 am

  My favorite car after owning five previous cars. Problems encountered: 1. False engine light @10000 miles. 2. Faulty brake lamp @14,000 miles, prevented shift from park to drive, fixed under warranty. 3. Sunroof liner popped out of track @15,000 miles, fixed under warranty. 3. Cracked oilpan on road dip, replaced my cost @35,000 miles. 4. A/C compressor failure @50,000 miles, replaced under extended warranty plan (bought at time of purchase). 5. Passenger front window failure @55,000, repaired and upgraded window kits installed by dealer, no cost.

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  Great car - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Jetta2 - December 20 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd Jetta. This is the first one I bought with the sports pkg and leather pkg. It is a MUST have. THe car is so good looking and fun to drive. Very fast! Howeever if I didnt have the 17" wheels and leather inside, it would not be nearly as fun to drive. This is the best car I have ever owned.

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  Me and my Jetta - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By STROSEN - December 20 - 2:00 am

  So far, so good. There was a problem with the front windows, that was resolved promptly and at no cost. The sound system is very good for factory equipment. Interior room is great, although the back seat area can be a little cramped. The safety features and air bag restraints are top notch. It has a cavernous trunk, even with a full size spare tire. But the best part is the fuel economy, Ive averaged 42-43 mpg combined. That with about 85% of my driving being open road. The TDI engine is very strong and reaches highway speeds without a problem.