The 2025 mannequin 12 months marks the Volkswagen Jetta’s forty fifth 12 months in the USA, and regardless of quite a lot of change between 1980 and now, the Jetta stays an reasonably priced compact automobile with a touch 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 screen. The larger information is that Volkswagen has saved 2025 Jetta costs just about the identical because the outgoing 2024 mannequin, and it’s nonetheless a decent selection.
Full disclosure: Volkswagen let me pattern a 2025 Jetta SEL and drive it by means of the intoxicating roads of Angeles Forest to see what I considered the updates. VW additionally loaned me a guide 2025 Jetta GLI Autobahn for per week, however that’ll be lined in a separate evaluation.
Despite the fact that the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta hasn’t modified a lot from the 2024 mannequin, that’s not essentially a nasty factor. This technology 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 obtained whole redesigns in that point. The Jetta feels uncomplicated, spacious, strong and peppy, all traits of an excellent 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 screen with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment is typical VW, so should you’re acquainted with the corporate’s consumer interface then you definately’ll be wonderful. Some issues aren’t as clear as they may very well be, like methods to mute your navigation directions, however you’ll get snug 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 prime quality, from the middle armrest to the highest of the entrance doorways to the satisfyingly squishy dashboard. Shifting to the again seat leads to a slight step down in high quality with extra laborious plastic on the highest of the rear doorways, however at the least the armrests within the again seat are properly padded, not like 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 should you favor life with out cables. These inside niceties make the Jetta an interesting selection on this class. Annoyingly the backup digital camera’s video feed seems prefer it was shot on a ‘90s camcorder, nevertheless it nonetheless does the trick.
Powertrain choices are carried over from final 12 months, 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 means of an eight-speed automated transmission. The Jetta GLI is the one Volkswagen provided with a guide transmission within the U.S. in 2025, and although we mourn the lack of any guide 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, other than the Mazda 3. One other profit to purchasing a Jetta is its good old style automated transmission in a sea of CVTs. Each compact competitor other than the Mazda is saddled with a fun-sucking CVT, in order that’s one thing to think about should you’re making an attempt to make a purchase order determination on this class of high quality compact automobiles.
Driving the Jetta is an innocuous expertise other than one gripe: extreme tire and suspension noise, particularly coming from the rear of the automobile. I don’t have the perfect 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 an odd expertise that I’ve solely ever felt on buses earlier than, however one thing concerning 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 less 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 in keeping with the remainder of the present Volkswagen lineup, although the entrance gentle bar that’s normal on all trims other than the bottom S feels gimmicky to me. Styling is subjective, however I feel the facelift properly modernizes the Jetta’s vibe each in and out. I feel the perfect 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 provide good worth propositions.
The bottom 2025 Jetta S now comes normal with an automated transmission and begins at $23,220 (together with $1,225 vacation spot), which is $240 cheaper than final 12 months’s automated S. The Sport trim provides a lowered sport suspension and different fascinating choices for simply $24,500, $110 cheaper than final 12 months, and it’s more likely to be the candy spot for many patrons. SE trim begins at $26,200 which is $100 dearer than final 12 months, and SEL trim begins at $30,225 which is $175 pricier than final 12 months, and the value of my check automobile. The brand new 2025 Jetta affords extra of what we’ve grown to count on from Volkswagen: strong construct high quality, an elevated appear and feel, peppy powertrains with a touch of driving pleasure, and a ton of inside area at an inexpensive worth. Within the crowded and aggressive compact automobile section, the Jetta continues to be a sensible choice.
