Overview & Reviews

For 2013, upper-level trims get a few new features and all but the base model get four-wheel disc brakes. An all-new hybrid model also joins the lineup later in the model year.

• Fuel-efficient diesel TDI model.
• Smooth ride quality
• Spacious interior and trunk

• Lackluster interior materials
• High price of TDI
• Sluggish throttle with automatic
• Weak base engine.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 42.00

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  75K needs new timing belt - 2013 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Lawrence - October 18 - 5:09 am

  Be careful when looking at this car or you will end up like me. I bought this car new for the very reason I was looking for a car that can hold up to high mileage. Well what a mistake I made. The car has 75K miles on it now and the dealer says the timing chain is stretched and needs to be replaced. The dealer could not give me a reason why this happened. They did say that some screen came loose and jammed into the tension pulley of the timing chain and deprived it of oil. They told me that they have had others in with the same problem. The extended warranty people are fighting paying for the repair. The dealer could not give me a reason why this happened The repair is $2900. Not at all what I expected from a VW. It is sad that they do not back their cars. No reason for this to have happen

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  Early Impressions - All positive - 2013 Volkswagen Jetta
  By TheMagicTiki - October 7 - 5:03 am

  I was looking for a small commuter car that, while reasonably priced, had a bit of style and personality for the daily commute. While some excel in certain areas, nothing else we test drove had the same combination of features, and style that this Jetta has. After two weeks of ownership, we are very pleased so far. Plenty of interior room for adults (or big kids) in the front/back seat. Rides & responds like a solid German car should. Great torque and acceleration (Ill give up the 2-3 MPG for that over others in the class). SEL adds some great creature comforts. Sure, its not a BMW... but it is close enough to stand out as a cut above the class of economy appliances in this segment.

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  Grinding Noise 2013 Jetta - 2013 Volkswagen Jetta
  By sparkfire - September 11 - 9:00 am

  I really like the car, it handles very well in the city and on the road, however, it makes a grinding noise when simply driving 25-30 mph down a city street. The noise is right under my feet! At first they couldnt find anything so I had one of the guys ride with me and when he heard it he was puzzled. I was told to bring it back one day and theyll have a Tech ride with me so when I have a chance, Ill take it back! Had I known it was assembled in Mexico I never would have purchased it! I thought they were being assembled at least in Tenn. Im so disappointed that I wished I had purchased a Chevy or Buick!

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  Maybe biased because I had a Bimmer - 2013 Volkswagen Jetta
  By happy163 - September 3 - 11:52 am

  Alright, so this was a trade in for another lease I had which was a 2013 Passat SE. This Jetta was better and a lot more fun to drive than the Passat. The TDI engine is a lot more lively and engaging than the 2.5 Liter in the Passat. The electronic steering was fun as well. The wishbone suspension however, was very noticeable for someone who knows a thing or two about handling. The back end is just too unstable on curves and wishy washy. I had this unpleasant rattling noise in the center console where the cup holders are. It would never go away. The gas mileage in the vehicle was excellent as I put on more miles on the car, the better the gas range was. At one point i was getting 45MPG.

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  2013.5 Jetta TDI - 2013 Volkswagen Jetta
  By hlisle - August 21 - 2:01 pm

  Great car for distance travelling. I have put nearly 4,000 miles in almost 2 months... No problems - and have enjoyed the the car overall...

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  Surprisingly poor driving car - 2013 Volkswagen Jetta
  By dm3 - July 10 - 12:29 am

  The 6 speed auto transmission is one of the most unresponsive that I have ever driven. The engine is underpowered. Throttle response is not smooth. Initially the car does nothing then surges. The transmission is too reluctant to downshift making for a frustrating drive. The transmission downshifts much too slowly. Mash the throttle and I sometimes forget that Ive done it as the seconds count down (2-3 seconds). That can be dangerous is you try to jump lanes. Interior feels unusually cheap for a VW. No cup holders in the rear. No cruise control. Rear view mirror can obstruct.

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  The gooad and the bad - 2013 Volkswagen Jetta
  By maninva - June 9 - 2:30 pm

  Like other reviewers I had a bit of buyers remorse upon driving this car home from the dealer. No auto headlamps, compass, auto dimming review mirror or back up cam left me a little disappointed. The car grew on me once I got used to it. It is fun to drive and I enjoy getting 50mpg on the highway. At 8k the paint on the front bumper started to chip off very easily. After three different attempts to have VW repaint the bumper they refused to do so. This was my first VW and will be my last. I will not buy cars from a manufacturer that doesnt stand behind its product.

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  Not bad, not bad at all - 2013 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Chris - April 8 - 7:14 am

  Decent starter car for 21 yr old.

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  Good car with great space. - 2013 Volkswagen Jetta
  By ecwhite - March 16 - 9:22 pm

  This is a big car for its class but needs the 2.5 litre to make it work. The 5 speed manual transmission seems too tall in an attempt to gain fuel mileage. An extra gear in the manual gear box is needed to bring some life to it. The space is off the charts compared to any competitor which is a big asset when you have a family to fit in the back seat and luggage in the trunk. The Civic and Elantra might win the "fun" category but the space, quiet ride and solid road performance in weather trump the fun factor for me. It is not a TDI (my previous car was a 05 Jetta TDI before the moose destroyed it) and if you can afford it, go with the TDI. The TDI is a Santa bag of fun with crazy torque!

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  Cheaply Built Junk - 2013 Volkswagen Jetta
  By wriley999 - February 2 - 10:23 pm

  Garbage. VW does not stand behind their product. Begins to fail immediately after warranty.