The 2025 mannequin yr marks the Volkswagen Jetta’s forty fifth yr in america, and regardless of quite a lot of change between 1980 and now, the Jetta stays an inexpensive compact automobile with a splash of elevated German panache. Adjustments 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 just about 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 by way of the intoxicating roads of Angeles Forest to see what I considered the updates. VW additionally loaned me a handbook 2025 Jetta GLI Autobahn for every week, however that’ll be lined in a separate assessment.
Although the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta hasn’t modified a lot from the 2024 mannequin, that’s not essentially a foul factor. This era of the Jetta was launched in 2018, so it’s been round for some time, nevertheless it doesn’t really feel previous — particularly notable given how most of its rivals have acquired complete redesigns in that point. The Jetta feels uncomplicated, spacious, stable and peppy, all traits of an amazing 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 normal 8-inch tablet-style infotainment display with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment is typical VW, so for those who’re accustomed to the corporate’s person interface you then’ll be superb. Some issues aren’t as clear as they may very well be, like the way to mute your navigation directions, however you’ll get comfy 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.
A lot 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. Shifting to the again seat ends in a slight step down in high quality with extra onerous plastic on the highest of the rear doorways, however at the very least the armrests within the again seat are nicely padded, in contrast to some rivals. The 2025 Jetta additionally receives upgraded charging accoutrement together with higher-output USB-C ports and an ordinary air-conditioned higher-output wi-fi charger for those who want life with out cables. These inside niceties make the Jetta an interesting alternative on this class. Annoyingly the backup digital camera’s video feed seems to be prefer it was shot on a ‘90s camcorder, nevertheless it nonetheless does the trick.
Powertrain choices are carried over from final yr, 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 by way of an eight-speed computerized transmission. The Jetta GLI is the one Volkswagen provided 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 affords aggressive horsepower numbers to different compact sedans just like the Corolla, Civic and Elantra whereas producing considerably extra torque than most of its rivals, apart from the Mazda 3. One other profit to purchasing a Jetta is its good old style computerized 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 contemplate for those who’re making an attempt to make a purchase order determination on this class of high quality compact vehicles.
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 very best 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 a wierd 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 elective Beats Audio system was lower 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 normal 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 very best 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 supply good worth propositions.
The bottom 2025 Jetta S now comes normal with an computerized transmission and begins at $23,220 (together with $1,225 vacation spot), which is $240 cheaper than final yr’s computerized S. The Sport trim provides a lowered sport suspension and different fascinating choices for simply $24,500, $110 cheaper than final yr, and it’s more likely to be the candy spot for many consumers. SE trim begins at $26,200 which is $100 dearer than final yr, and SEL trim begins at $30,225 which is $175 pricier than final yr, and the value of my check automobile. The brand new 2025 Jetta affords extra of what we’ve grown to anticipate from Volkswagen: stable construct high quality, an elevated appear and feel, peppy powertrains with a splash of driving pleasure, and a ton of inside area at an inexpensive worth. Within the crowded and aggressive compact automobile phase, the Jetta continues to be a sensible choice.
