The seventh-generation Volkswagen Jetta arrived in 2019, bringing in a fresh look, powertrain, and tech. In 2021, the Jetta was mostly a carryover, but it received an upgraded infotainment system in SEL and higher trims and dome feature shuffling. With this design still fresh, we expect the 2022 VW Jetta to be a carryover model, though we wouldn’t be shocked to see a mild refresh.
The seventh-generation Jetta wasn’t a huge departure from the previous generation, as it received mostly an evolutionary redesign. This included more angular headlights, a wider grille with revised chrome trimming, new taillights, updated bumpers, and more elegant body lines. We expect this design to remain the same in the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, but we also wouldn’t be surprised if it received a few small tweaks, like updated lighting and grille.
The seventh-gen Jetta retained the brand’s toned-down and mature interior with very little drama. VW errs on the side of caution to avoid offending buyers with an over-styled cabin. The current Jetta has a few styling points to note, though, including its slight angle of the center stack and infotainment screen toward the driver, its flat-bottom steering wheel, and its tasteful silver and metallic accents. We expect this cabin to remain the same in the 2022 Jetta.
The current Jetta comes standard with plenty of niceties, including a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 16-inch wheels, and more. Buyers can also add more upscale features, like leather upholstery, heated and cooled seats, a 10.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a Fender audio system, an 8-inch touchscreen, and more.
Under its hood, the most current Jetta models come with a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that pumps out 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This engine pairs with either a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional eight-speed automatic. The spicier Jetta GLI swaps in a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The Jetta GLI is available with a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. We expect these engine options to remain the same in the 2022 Jetta lineup.
The current Jetta performed well in IIHS crash safety tests, earning “Good” ratings in all six crash tests. However, it fell way short of Top Safety Pick classification with its “Marginal”- and “Poor”-rated headlights. Also, while automatic emergency braking is available in every trim level, it costs an extra $500 on the base Jetta S.
