The 2025 mannequin 12 months marks the Volkswagen Jetta’s forty fifth 12 months in the US, and regardless of a whole lot of change between 1980 and now, the Jetta stays an inexpensive compact automobile with a splash of elevated German panache. Modifications for the seventh-gen Jetta’s second facelift are minimal, together with restyled entrance and rear ends, and a reworked dashboard with a brand new tablet-style infotainment display. The larger information is that Volkswagen has stored 2025 Jetta costs nearly the identical because the outgoing 2024 mannequin, and it’s nonetheless a good alternative.
Full disclosure: Volkswagen let me pattern a 2025 Jetta SEL and drive it via the intoxicating roads of Angeles Forest to see what I considered the updates. VW additionally loaned me a handbook 2025 Jetta GLI Autobahn for per week, however that’ll be lined in a separate overview.
Regardless that the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta hasn’t modified a lot from the 2024 mannequin, that’s not essentially a foul factor. This technology of the Jetta was launched in 2018, so it’s been round for some time, nevertheless it doesn’t really feel outdated — particularly notable given how most of its opponents have obtained whole redesigns in that point. The Jetta feels uncomplicated, spacious, strong and peppy, all traits of an ideal small automobile.
I used to be impressed by the inside of the SEL trim that I sampled on the launch occasion. There was actual big-car room up entrance for my six-foot-eight body, a spacious again seat, and a really cavernous trunk. The Jetta has a brand new customary 8-inch tablet-style infotainment display with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment is typical VW, so in the event you’re aware of the corporate’s person interface then you definitely’ll be fantastic. Some issues aren’t as clear as they could possibly be, like tips on how to mute your navigation directions, however you’ll get snug with the menus fairly rapidly. Additionally new is touch-sensitive local weather management show that’s not as pure to make use of because the 2024 mannequin’s dials, nevertheless it’s well-lit and higher than VW’s different touch-sensitive local weather controls.
Many of the surfaces you contact contained in the Jetta are top quality, from the middle armrest to the highest of the entrance doorways to the satisfyingly squishy dashboard. Transferring to the again seat ends in a slight step down in high quality with extra arduous plastic on the highest of the rear doorways, however not less than the armrests within the again seat are effectively padded, in contrast to some opponents. The 2025 Jetta additionally receives upgraded charging accoutrement together with higher-output USB-C ports and a typical air-conditioned higher-output wi-fi charger in the event you choose life with out cables. These inside niceties make the Jetta an interesting alternative on this class. Annoyingly the backup digicam’s video feed seems prefer it was shot on a ‘90s camcorder, nevertheless it nonetheless does the trick.
Powertrain choices are carried over from final 12 months, which implies each Jetta that’s not a GLI is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 that sends 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque to the entrance wheels via an eight-speed automated transmission. The Jetta GLI is the one Volkswagen supplied with a handbook transmission within the U.S. in 2025, and although we mourn the lack of any handbook transmission, we’re grateful the GLI retains it.
The 1.5-liter engine feels fairly peppy and gives aggressive horsepower numbers to different compact sedans just like the Corolla, Civic and Elantra whereas producing considerably extra torque than most of its opponents, apart from the Mazda 3. One other profit to purchasing a Jetta is its good old school automated transmission in a sea of CVTs. Each compact competitor apart from the Mazda is saddled with a fun-sucking CVT, in order that’s one thing to think about in the event you’re making an attempt to make a purchase order determination on this class of high quality compact automobiles.
Driving the Jetta is an innocuous expertise apart from one gripe: extreme tire and suspension noise, particularly coming from the rear of the automobile. I don’t have the perfect listening to, however the rear suspension on the Jetta SEL that I drove produced some bizarre low-frequency booming noises that made my eyes water. It was an odd expertise that I’ve solely ever felt on buses earlier than, however one thing in regards to the mixture of the tire roar and the booming suspension over bumps actually bothered my ears. Usually I’d flip up my music to drown out the noise, however the non-compulsory Beats Audio system was less than the duty. The system sounds low-cost and tinny regardless of together with a subwoofer, so audiophiles look elsewhere.
The automobile’s up to date entrance finish is efficient in modernizing the Jetta and bringing it according to the remainder of the present Volkswagen lineup, although the entrance gentle bar that’s customary on all trims apart from the bottom S feels gimmicky to me. Styling is subjective, however I believe the facelift properly modernizes the Jetta’s vibe each in and out. I believe the perfect worth of the Jetta comes on the decrease finish of the mannequin vary. Earlier than you begin upgrading and including a bunch of choices, Jetta S, Sport, and SE provide good worth propositions.
The bottom 2025 Jetta S now comes customary with an automated transmission and begins at $23,220 (together with $1,225 vacation spot), which is $240 cheaper than final 12 months’s automated S. The Sport trim provides a lowered sport suspension and different fascinating choices for simply $24,500, $110 cheaper than final 12 months, and it’s more likely to be the candy spot for many patrons. SE trim begins at $26,200 which is $100 costlier than final 12 months, and SEL trim begins at $30,225 which is $175 pricier than final 12 months, and the value of my check automobile. The brand new 2025 Jetta gives extra of what we’ve grown to count on from Volkswagen: strong construct high quality, an elevated feel and appear, peppy powertrains with a splash of driving pleasure, and a ton of inside area at an affordable worth. Within the crowded and aggressive compact automobile phase, the Jetta continues to be a sensible choice.
