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What do our experts think of the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta? We look at powertrain, interior options, trim levels, and more. Find out our thoughts here.
What’s new for the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta?
The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta has been improved with slightly updated styling, additional optional and standard features, as well as a slightly larger 1.5-liter engine with 11 more horsepower than the outgoing model.
2022 Volkswagen Jetta – vw.com | Shop 2022 Volkswagen Jetta on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Great fit and finish
Digital cockpit is cool
Striking interior styling
Cheap materials
Anemic drivetrain
Odd switchgear
Optional AWD would be nice
2022 Jetta Specs
- 158 horsepower from base engine
- 184 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 5 available trims
- 14 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- Standard 8-inch infotainment system
- Standard automated emergency braking
- 2 years of complimentary maintenance
2022 Volkswagen Jetta Powertrain
The base Jetta and every trim aside from the GLI comes with a 158-horsepower 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that sends its power to the front wheels only. A six-speed manual is standard but an eight-speed automatic is optional. It’s not a particularly engaging drivetrain no matter how you specify it. It has more body roll and less feedback through its wheel and pedals than rivals like the Honda Civic or the Mazda3.
The GLI trim uses a 228-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder which is more enjoyable. Thanks to an upgraded suspension it feels much more engaging though we’re not sure its $30,995 price tag is a good value when compared to cars like the Hyundai Elantra N. We would also like to see a Jetta with the option of all-wheel drive or even a hybrid drivetrain since it would offer better fuel economy and after all, this is ultimately meant to be an economy car.
2022 Volkswagen Jetta Fuel Economy & MPG
Still, the Jetta achieves reasonable scores of 31 mpg in the city and 41 on the highway according to the EPA. The GLI gets 26 mpg in the city and 36 or 37 on the highway depending on which transmission it has. That’s a solid performance for the class.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
The Jetta shines most in terms of the way it comforts its passengers. The fit and finish is above average and the switchgear feels upscale too. We also like how spacious the interior feels regardless of where you’re seated. Volkswagen offers a lot of cool interior features too. Ride comfort is solid so long as the driver doesn’t push the car too hard in turns. Very little road noise or drivetrain noise manages to find its way into the cabin.
If we have any complaints it’s with regard to the touch-sensitive controls that sometimes don’t react to touches and the cheap-feeling interior trim. Plastic and vinyl make up the vast majority of the passenger compartment which can be disappointing for a car that can cost $30,000 or more. At the same time, cargo space is a positive highlight where you’ll find just over 14 cubic feet of storage.
Entertainment & Technology
Volkswagen offers more technology for the 2022 Jetta. That includes a standard digital gauge cluster, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and LED headlights. Buyers can opt for things like ambient interior lighting, a sunroof, a digital cockpit, and a premium audio system. VW also includes more safety technology like blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise is available on the base models and standard for the SE and above. Those top trims also get wireless device charging and every trim has access to a Wi-Fi hotspot as well. The SEL and GLI both get adaptive headlights that turn into corners. Overall it’s a good package of quality technology.
Safety Features
The IIHS gave the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta mostly good scores but knocked it for marginal or poor headlight performance. The NHTSA hasn’t released its scores for the 2022 model year but the 2021 Jetta received a five-star crash test rating. We also like that VW is offering more standard safety technology for 2022.
2022 Volkswagen Jetta Trims & Pricing
S – $20,195
The base Jetta gets 16-inch wheels, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 16-inch wheels, LED headlights, a digital instrument cluster, two USB ports, and Android as well as Apple smartphone connectivity. It also gets blind-spot monitoring and forward collision mitigation as standard equipment.
Sport – $21,095
Opt for the Sport model and you’ll get 17-inch wheels, an electronically locking differential, a gloss-black grille, front accent lighting, a rear-seat center armrest, and black window trim.
SE – $23,795
Luxury features are the name of the game when it comes to the SE. It features heated front seats, power-adjustable driver’s seat, simulated leather upholstery, rain-sensing wipers, and dual-zone automatic climate control.
SEL – $27,795
The SEL comes with heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, leather upholstery, a wireless smartphone charging pad, wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay, a larger digital cockpit, and an upgraded infotainment system with more features.
GLI – $30,995
The GLI gets the same features as the SEL but adds a 228-horsepower four-cylinder engine.
Warranties
The Jetta comes with four years or 50,000-miles of Limited and Powertrain warranty coverage. For the first two years or 20,000-miles, customers will enjoy complimentary maintenance.
What we think
2022 Volkswagen Jetta – media.vw.com | Shop 2022 Volkswagen Jetta on Carsforsale.com
The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta is a dapper entry in the economy sedan ranks. It looks better than ever and offers more technology for the money than ever before. We’re really happy with its interior comfort and the way it looks. It’s not the car to get if you’re looking for the most dynamic car in the segment or the most technology packed, but it is the best German sedan you can get for $25,000 or less. It also offers decent cargo space and fuel economy without trading too much away. We just wish an AWD version was available.
