2022 Volkswagen Jetta

2022 Volkswagen Jetta Overview

Is the Volkswagen Jetta a Good Car?

The 2022 VW Jetta is a solid compact car . This VW is a comfortable cruiser, with generous seating space for adults in both rows, and its engines are capable and fuel-efficient. These are the makings of a good daily commuting vehicle. However, many class rivals are more well-rounded than the Jetta.

Should I Buy the Volkswagen Jetta?

The Jetta is worth considering, but this Volkswagen falls off the radar when compared to a majority of the competition. Both the Honda Civic and Mazda3 are more enjoyable to drive and nicer inside than the Jetta.

Compare the Jetta, Civic, and Mazda3 »

Why You Can Trust Us: 25 Reviews Analyzed

We’ve analyzed 25 Volkswagen Jetta reviews – as well as performance specs, interior dimensions, fuel economy ratings, and more – to give you all the information you need to make a smart car-buying decision.

This 2022 Jetta review incorporates applicable research for all models in this generation, which launched for 2019.

U.S. News Best Cars has been ranking and reviewing vehicles since 2007, and our staff has more than 75 years of combined experience in the auto industry. To ensure our objectivity, we never accept expensive gifts from carmakers, and an outside firm manages the ads on our site.

2021 vs. 2022 Volkswagen Jetta: What's the Difference?

For 2022, Volkswagen gives the Jetta a midcycle refresh. One of its most notable changes is a new base 1.5-liter engine that provides more pep than the previous base power plant. In addition, VW revised the trim lineup, adding the Sport and dropping the R-Line, SEL, and GLI S trims. There’s also updated interior and exterior styling, and several advanced safety features are newly standard, including forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert.

Compare the 2021 and 2022 Jetta »

Here are the key changes for the Volkswagen Jetta over the last few years:

• 2022: peppier 1.5-liter engine now standard, revised trim lineup, more standard active safety features, and refreshed styling
• 2021: updated infotainment system with wireless connectivity added for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, power-adjustable driver's seat available in more trims, and more active safety features in GLI Autobahn
• 2020: SEL trim gained heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and wireless device charging; Wi-Fi hot spot added to standard features list
• 2019: fully redesigned with two new engine choices, a performance-oriented Volkswagen GLI trim, larger infotainment touch screens, and more optional features

If you're considering an older model, be sure to read our 2019 Jetta , 2020 Jetta , and 2021 Jetta reviews to help make your decision. Also, check out our Best New Car Deals and Best New Car Lease Deals pages to learn about savings and discounts you can find on new vehicles.

Pricing

How Much is a 2022 Volkswagen Jetta?

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta starts at $20,195 in its base S trim, which is roughly average for the class. Opting for an automatic transmission bumps up the price to $20,995.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Volkswagen dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Volkswagen deals page .

Volkswagen Jetta Versus the Competition

Volkswagen Jetta vs. Honda Civic

The Honda Civic is a much better compact car than the Jetta. The Civic is fun to drive while also remaining comfortable over most roads, and all of the Honda's available engines have plenty of oomph. In addition, the Civic offers both sedan and hatchback models (versus the sedan-only Jetta), as well as a few more standard safety features. Even with the Jetta's more user-friendly infotainment controls, the Civic is our recommended pick.

Compare the Jetta and Civic »

Volkswagen Jetta vs. Volkswagen GTI

The Volkswagen GTI carries one of the heftiest price tags in the class, but it's the better choice for performance-oriented shoppers. The GTI comes standard with the same potent 228-horsepower engine found in the Jetta GLI. That engine paired with the GTI's deft handling makes it extremely fun to drive. The GTI also boasts superb interior materials and way more cargo room thanks to its hatchback construction.

Compare the Jetta and GTI »

Compare the Jetta, Civic, and GTI »

Jetta Interior: Large for its Size

Jetta Interior Quality

Mostly high-quality materials are found throughout the Jetta's cabin. Despite that, some hard plastics are present on the center console and doors that take away from the Jetta's interior quality as a whole.

Jetta Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation

The Jetta's MIB infotainment system has both touch and physical controls that are easy to use. However, the base 6.5-inch touch screen is small, so you may want to step up to the 8-inch touch screen. The larger, upgraded display has more features and faster response times and provides wireless App-Connect smartphone integration through Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

• Standard infotainment features: a 6.5-inch touch-screen, a four-speaker stereo, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, two USB ports, and a Wi-Fi hot spot
• Available infotainment features: an 8-inch touch screen, navigation, satellite radio, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless device charging, and a nine-speaker BeatsAudio stereo
• Additional standard features: an 8-inch digital cockpit
• Other available features: a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, dual-zone automatic climate control, proximity keyless entry, push-button start, remote start, and a panoramic sunroof

For more information, read What Is Apple CarPlay? and What Is Android Auto?

Jetta Cargo Space

There's 14.1 cubic feet of cargo room in the Volkswagen Jetta, which is good compared to other compact sedans . However, hauling longer items may be challenging since the 60/40-split-folding rear seats don't fold all the way down. Also, the trunk hinges impede the cargo area a bit.

How Many People Does the Jetta Seat?

The VW Jetta seats five people. The back-seat area is especially spacious, but some reviewers wish the front seats were more supportive.

Jetta and Child Car Seats

There are two complete sets of LATCH connectors for the Jetta’s rear outboard seats and a tether anchor for the rear middle seat.

Read more about interior »

Jetta Performance: Peppy and Fuel-Efficient

Jetta Engine

The Volkswagen Jetta comes standard with a 158-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which is the same engine found in the Volkswagen Taos . Its additional 11 horsepower over the previous model’s 1.4-liter engine isn't much, but the new power plant makes the Jetta feel more energetic and capable. Those wanting something quicker can step up to the 228-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder found in the Jetta GLI.

You also can't go wrong with any of the Jetta's transmissions. The standard six-speed manual makes this VW more engaging to drive; the base engine is also available with a quick-shifting eight-speed automatic. The upgraded engine's optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic comes with paddle shifters, giving it even more driver engagement than the eight-speed automatic.

Front-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive is not available

Jetta Gas Mileage

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta gets up to 31 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway with an automatic transmission, which is outstanding for the compact car class . With the manual transmission, the Jetta gets 29 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway.

Jetta Ride and Handling

The Jetta's comfortable ride smooths out most road imperfections. However, its steering is light, which doesn't make for a very engaging ride. That's where the Jetta GLI comes in. The GLI's adaptive damping suspension delivers a more agile ride that also remains pleasant.

Read more about performance »

Jetta Reliability

Is the Volkswagen Jetta Reliable ?

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta has a predicted reliability score of 76 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average, and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.

Volkswagen Jetta Warranty

The 2022 Jetta comes with a four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.

Read more about reliability »

2022 Volkswagen Jetta Safety

Score: 9.1/10

Crash Test Results

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has not crash tested the 2022 Jetta. However, the IIHS gave the similar 2021 Jetta the highest rating of Good in all six crash safety tests.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2022 Jetta five out of five stars in the side crash test and four stars in the rollover test. The Jetta was not tested for frontal crash safety and did not receive an overall safety rating.

Safety Features

Standard driver assistance features:

• Rearview camera
• Forward collision warning
• Forward automatic emergency braking
• Pedestrian detection
• Blind spot monitoring
• Rear cross traffic alert

Available driver assistance features:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane keep assist
• Automatic high-beam headlights
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers

Jetta Dimensions and Weight

The Jetta is about 15.5 feet long. Its curb weight ranges from 2,915 to 3,355 pounds, and its gross vehicle weight rating is between 4,057 and 4,387 pounds.

Where Is the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta Built?

Volkswagen builds the 2022 Jetta in Mexico.

Which Volkswagen Jetta Model Is Right for Me?

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta comes in five trims: S, Sport, SE, SEL, and GLI Autobahn. The first four trims come with the new base 1.5-liter turbocharged engine. A six-speed manual transmission is standard in the S and Sport trims, and an eight-speed automatic is available. The SE and SEL come standard with the automatic transmission. The top-of-the-line GLI Autobahn comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, as well as a six-speed manual transmission or an optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

The base S trim's new stronger engine and additional safety features make it a solid pick, but consider the SEL trim for its larger touch screen.

Volkswagen Jetta S

The base S trim starts at $20,195. It comes with cloth upholstery, a six-way manually adjustable driver's seat, heated outside mirrors, a 6.5-inch touch-screen, a four-speaker stereo, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, two USB ports, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and an 8-inch digital cockpit. Many advanced safety features are also standard, such as a rearview camera, forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert.

It costs $800 to add an eight-speed automatic transmission. A Driver Assistance package costs $955 and adds adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, rain-sensing windshield wipers, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Volkswagen Jetta Sport

The Sport trim starts at $21,095 and adds black accents to the window trim, grille, mirror caps, and headliner. Other features include XDS differential sport seats and a rear-seat center armrest.

Volkswagen Jetta SE

The SE trim has a starting price of $23,795 and comes standard with the eight-speed automatic transmission. V-Tex synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, dual-zone automatic climate control, proximity keyless entry, and push-button start are also standard. A few safety features are also included, including adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

Adding a panoramic sunroof costs $850.

Volkswagen Jetta SEL

The automatic transmission-only SEL trim is priced at $27,795. It gains genuine leather upholstery, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, interior ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, an 8-inch touch screen, navigation, satellite radio, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless device charging, a nine-speaker BeatsAudio stereo, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, remote start, and automatic high-beam headlights.

Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn

The GLI Autobahn (MSRP: $30,995) adds an adaptive damping suspension, a limited-slip differential, variable-ratio steering, drive mode selection, performance front brakes, and a sport steering wheel. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic with paddle shifters costs $800.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Volkswagen dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Volkswagen deals page .

See 2022 Volkswagen Jetta specs and trims »

The Final Call

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta has lots of passenger and cargo space, straightforward infotainment technology, good fuel economy estimates, and energetic engines. However, it has numb handling, and the cabin isn’t as upscale as many of its compact car rivals .

Don't just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.

• "Whether you're looking for sport or not, the automaker's compact sedan has always been a solid value play, offering up plenty of room for both people and cargo while also providing a good ride, oodles of fuel economy and tech that doesn't frustrate." -- CNET
• "The 2022 VW Jetta, which has just gone through a mid-cycle refresh, is a good car offering a European feel at a built-in-Mexico price." -- Kelley Blue Book
• "… Volkswagen Jetta is a solid choice for folks who want a budget-friendly and fuel-efficient compact car. It costs less and sips fuel better than its hatchback sibling, the VW Golf, which is similar under the skin. Although the standard Jetta will satisfy pragmatists, it doesn't deliver the driving verve to entice enthusiasts. That mission is fulfilled by the sportier GLI model." -- Car and Driver (2021)