How it looks when you see on the street: The Jetta, once a little spunky sedan, is now more sedated and sensible. It’s a small car that gets the job done in a nimble package refreshed in 2025.The Jetta first arrived on the scene in the early 1980s. It grew out of the beloved Golf hatchback at a time when families still drove cars not SUVs.The Jetta had a little personality when I first rode in one in the late 90s. Over the years, it has become more non-descript.
How it makes you feel when you get in: For a relatively small car, it feels spacious on the inside.A puny 8-inch touchscreen is standard. The SEL model we drove had the 10.3 inch touchscreen. We like that knobs are still intact. Two standard USB-C ports and wireless smart phone charging are included. The mobile hot spot is convenient, too. Safety tech, like lane keeping assist, rear-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring are available.
How it drives: It produces 158 horsepower. The Jetta GLI is a more zippy upgrade that produces 228 horsepower and also has the added bonus of six-speed manual transmission, which are becoming rare finds. Jetta wins high marks for gasoline-powered fuel economy, up to 40 miles per gallon on the highway.
What to compare it to: Honda Civic, Mazda 3.
How much does it cost: The price on our test vehicle was just under $30,000.