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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  Great car, would buy another - 2000 Volkswagen Jetta
  By galluscio - January 5 - 9:10 pm

  I boughtmy 2000 Volkswagen Jetta GLS VR6 in early 2004, at the time it had 38,000 miles on it. I now have 65,000 miles, and am pleased to report I am happy with this car. I did have the notorious coil pack failure a while ago, and the cold-glove-box issue, but other than these Ive only done routine maintenance (oil changes, etc).

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  Problems After Warranty Expired! - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JaimeJ - January 4 - 9:23 pm

  The first four years that I owned my 2002 VW Jetta I didnt have any major mechanical problems. I havent been super happy with the car in general. I drive a lot for work, and its annoying that the car is loud on the highway. The main issue is that my warranty JUST ran out about two weeks ago and all of a sudden the driver seat adjustments stopped working and my power steering went out last night. I was driving downtown San Francisco and I heard "pop" and then all of a sudden it was like I was driving a dumptruck. I am sure that VW is going to kill me with the charges for this repair. I had planned on keeping this car until it stopped working, but now I may buy something else and never return to VW.

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  Not completely decided yet - 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
  By csxtrader - January 4 - 8:59 am

  I bought my Jetta about 2 weeks ago. I bought an SE with convenience and sunroof. The power is decent, and the fuel economy has been good "right out of the box" so-to-speak. I think it drives like a larger car than it is. I am experiencing a whistle from either the drivers side mirror or a-pillar. Most blogs Ive read suggest that this is kind of common, and with no known fix yet. Well see what my dealership says. There has been some obvious cost cutting compared to previous models. Yes, the price dropped significantly; however, some cust may not be worth it; and may have been things that people would pay a little extra for.

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  big improvement - 2005 Volkswagen Jetta
  By athanx4 - January 1 - 12:16 pm

  I was surprised at the quiet ride and the suspension absorbs bumps with no problem. Best steering feel Ive experienced--just the right road feel.

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  Happy So Far - 2017 Volkswagen Jetta
  By David - January 1 - 4:28 am

  Ive had now for about 3K miles. I came out of 15 Jetta TDI 6 speed manual. My 17 is not as peppy, but no surprise. Still adequate pep. I like the fuel economy. Great comfortable ride on the Interstate. Quite a bit of noise with sunroof open. So, will have to get a deflector. I love having satellite radio. I very much like the SE upgrades from the S. This vehicle is a great overall value, in my opinion.

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  Another happy customer... - 2010 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Andrea - December 30 - 11:33 am

  I bought my 2010 Jetta about a week ago so its still very new, but I absolutely love it! It handles very well and is a very smooth ride. The interior is spacious and standard features (including heated front seats, heated rear-view mirrors, and digital dash display) are convenient. The only issue Ive had is that the gas gap is very sensitive and you have to really tighten it otherwise the engine light will come on. Other than that, I am thrilled with my VW! Would definitely recommend this car to friends and family.

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  2003 GLS 1.8T Triptronic - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Cards28 - December 30 - 10:00 am

  Lucky me, I bought a 2003 Jetta in Jan 2003 after all the problems in previous years were ironed out. Just over 6,000 miles and havent had one problem yet. Sometimes I feel like the other shoe is going to drop, though. I just dont like the turbo lag with the Triptronic. I understand that you can go back and forth with it but sometimes I dont have the feel of what gear Im in. At the time of purchase my wife didnt want another manual trans in the garage. I think the manual would be easier to drive because I would always know what gear Im in. Other than that, Im happy soooo far.

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  Great Car for a Long Commute - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By S. Taylor - December 30 - 10:00 am

  I was not expecting to buy the diesel when I arrived at the VW dealership. I wanted the 1.8 T. The fule economy of the diesel made me curious so I took it for a test drive. I was amazed! It had a lot more power than had expected, and did not seem any louder than the gas engine. I bought the diesel and have had absolutly no regrets. I would recomend this vehicle to any commuter.

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  My First Car - 2003 Volkswagen Jetta
  By 1.8T Jettar - December 30 - 10:00 am

  Honestly, I like it much. But i dont feel the power of my 1.8T Engine yet :( need some mileage for brake-in. Overall, it is a nice car but I would like to have it to lower its price a bit. One more think I wanna tell, my front windshield get foggy easily.. :(

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  As Expected - 2007 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Babbo - December 28 - 6:26 pm

  This is not a sexy car, but it offers good service and comfort at a very favorable value. "The Peoples Car"