2023 Volkswagen Jetta

While the Jetta can seat up to five people comfortably, its cabin falls behind rivals when it comes to interior quality. While some compact cars have moved upstream to feel as nice as luxury vehicles, the Jetta lags behind with a dark and drab interior. Hard plastics can be found throughout the entire cabin, while the all-black appearance can make things feel unwelcoming.

Comfort Comes First. Unlike other compact sedans in the segment, the Jetta puts athleticism on the back burner in favor of comfort. Instead of firm suspension that results in fun handling around corners, the Jetta’s softly-sprung suspension focuses on being comfortable for the daily commute. For most drivers, this will be preferable, but for shoppers seeking something that’s at least a little sporty, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

The Jetta’s suspension soaks up bumps in stride and without the harsh ride that most compact sedans are known for. On the highway, the Jetta turns into a compliant cruiser that’s happy on long drives. Aiding the Jetta in its comfortable experience, the front seats are supportive and have the necessary cushioning to keep passengers comfy on long drives.

Gutless, But Efficient Engine. Volkswagen offers the Jetta with a standard turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine. The motor is rated at 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This is one of the least powerful engines in the compact class and, as one could imagine, doesn’t get the Jetta down the road in a hurry.

Pinning the accelerator pedal to the floor results in a zero-to-60-mph time in the seven-second range. The Jetta certainly isn’t fast and passing on the highway can be a chore. One good thing about the engine is that it’s available with a six-speed manual engine as standard. That’s a rarity for non-performance vehicles in the compact segment.

The Jetta may be down on power to most of its competitors, but the sedan has excellent fuel economy figures. The sedan can get up to 35 mpg combined and has a range of 462 miles on a single tank.

Mixed Value. The base Jetta doesn’t come with a lot of features, especially when you compare the model to some of its competitors. The base S trim comes with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, four audio speakers, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, LED headlights, and two USB ports.

Surprisingly blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, which are usually optional, come standard on the Jetta S. With a starting price tag of $21,760 (with destination) for the S trim with a manual transmission, the Jetta offers decent value.

The higher up the lineup you climb, the more features you get, but the Jetta’s value proposition drops off. Higher trims bring more features, but they also cost a lot more money. So, choosing the right Jetta is more about what you can live without and sticking to a budget.

Unfortunately, VW only offers high-end tech and convenience features on the range-topping SEL trim. That model gets an eight-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a Beats Audio system, leather upholstery, a sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Jetta SEL starts at $29,480, which is close to what range-topping models of competitors cost but with fewer features.

Staid Styling. The recently redesigned Honda Civic arrives with an upscale design, while the Mazda3 has always stood out as the high-end option in the segment. The Hyundai Elantra is the sharply styled choice, with an aggressive front end. Against these options, the Jetta’s exterior design struggles to stand out.

The sedan’s soft lines, long wheelbase, and undramatic lighting come off as boring. The Sport trim livens things up a little with 17-inch wheels, a black grille, black trim, and front accent lights.

The Jetta’s interior also comes off as monotonous. The sedan features sharp lines and a slightly angled touchscreen, but the physical controls on the side of the infotainment system and the simple controls for the HVAC system date the vehicle. But they do make the sedan easy to use. Our main gripe with the cabin is the lack of color. On a rainy day, the Jetta’s interior can get grim.

Final Thoughts. Shoppers looking for a roomy compact sedan that’s efficient, comfortable, and easy to drive will like the Volkswagen Jetta. These qualities are enough to see the sedan rank highly in the class. But against rivals that come with more powerful engines, are more enjoyable to drive, are available with more high-tech features, and have more stylish designs, we have to say that there are better options in the market.

The Honda Civic retains its place as the class leader. It features a spacious interior, athletic handling, a fashionable exterior design, and is available with a nine-inch touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster.

Drivers looking for a luxury vehicle with a non-luxury budget should explore the Mazda3. Its premium cabin and high-end design will lead you to believe that it’s a real luxury vehicle. The Mazda3 also impresses with its available turbocharged engine, nimble handling, available all-wheel-drive system, and standard safety features.

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