The Volkswagen Jetta appeals to the buyer who wants plenty of space, solid feel and a European driving experience. The broad line offers a solid powertrains and tops out with a sporty, upscale GLI. While the current-generation Jetta started out as a coarse and decontented car, continual updates have significantly improved how the Jetta drives and how it scores in our testing. Now it's a solid, competent and well-rounded sedan with good driving dynamics, roomy interior, easy controls, and competitive performance and fuel economy -- all of which make it very competitive in its compact sedan class.
The 1.4-liter, 150-hp turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline variant, introduced for the 2016 model year, might be the most satisfying of all of the small turbos on the market.
Despite its small displacement, the Jetta 1.4T delivers healthy midrange torque. Occasionally the turbo can be caught off-boost, and the transmission may remain in too high a gear, but that is rare.
The 1.4T got a decent 32 mpg overall in our tests, and 47 mpg on the highway, making it a solid choice for those seeking greater fuel efficiency.
Uplevel gasoline-powered Jettas have a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder which feels effortless and gets 30 mpg overall.
Driving any version of the Jetta is a joy, with agile handling that makes the car fun to drive. It also rides quite comfortably. The suspension delivers steady composure on the highway with some underlying firmness at low urban speeds. The cabin is relatively quiet by class standards.
The most enjoyable Jetta is the GLI sporty version. Think of it as a budget alternative for those who can't quite swing the payments on a BMW 3 Series. Engaging to drive yet easy to live with, this credible sports sedan delivers high performance with upgraded handling and acceleration. The 210-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder delivers a real punch yet still delivers a frugal 27 mpg with the manual transmission that we tested. For 2018 the GLI is no longer available with the manual transmission but has a six-speed DSG automatic.
No matter which Jetta you choose, upright styling provides great visibility. Rear seat and trunk space are particularly generous for a compact sedan, although interior finish feels a bit cut-rate compared to most competitors. Controls are straight-forward. Connectivity features include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, as well as the availability of advanced electronic safety gear like forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.
While the Jetta delivers a lot, reconciling its higher price tag against the competition becomes a bit challenging, although added equipment for 2016 lessens the gap. Compact sedan rivals like the Toyota Corolla, Subaru Impreza, and Kia Forte approach the Jetta's spaciousness and cost less when compared feature-to-feature.