Volkswagen Jetta Through the Years

From multiple names to multiple models, the Volkswagen Jetta has gone through some changes. Explore all of the Jetta generations in one read.

An Evolution into Popularity

Over 14 million Volkswagen Jetta vehicles have been produced and sold since the first one was manufactured. As one of Volkswagen’s top-selling models, the Jetta hasn’t missed a year of production since 1979. Although it started as a compact car, the Jetta has grown in size and power with every one of its seven generations. Through the years the Jetta has evolved inside and out. From shape to features to capability, the Volkswagen Jetta evolved. After initially filling a void in the compact car segment, the Jetta remains a popular choice with wide appeal. Take a look at some of the highlights below.

First Generation (1979-1983)

1982 Volkswagen Jetta – media.vw.com | Shop Volkswagen Jetta on Carsforsale.com

The idea of the Volkswagen Jetta came from the demand for a compact car, like the Volkswagen Golf, with a trunk.
It was built on the same chassis platform as the VW Golf / Rabbit but was longer due to the addition of a trunk.
The Jetta Mark 1 was assembled in the Wolfsburg, Germany factory and released in 1979 at the Frankfurt Auto Show.
The 1980 model year Jetta had 76 horsepower from a 1.1L four-cylinder, 1.8L four-cylinder, or 1.6L diesel motor.

An automatic transmission was optional in the 1980 Volkswagen Jetta.
With full carpeting, styling inside the Jetta was more upscale than the Rabbit or other vehicles in the subcompact sedan segment.
The Jetta Mark 1 was rebadged as the ‘Fox’ in South Africa and was offered there until 1999.
There were no major changes to the 1983 Volkswagen Jetta, but it continued to be a good seller due to high fuel economy, staying on budget, and enough of a kick to keep drivers happy.

Second Generation (1984-1992)

1986 Volkswagen Jetta - volkswagen-newsroom.com

Volkswagen introduced the Mark 2 for the 1985 model year.
After customer feedback, Volkswagen increased the output to 100 horsepower.
The 1985 Volkswagen Jetta was bigger in all dimensions.
It moved up to the compact category, now able to seat five people.
Introduced in 1985 with 100 horsepower, the 1.8-liter SOHC motor got a slight bump to 102 for 1986.
The 1986 Volkswagen Jetta was offered as a two-door or four-door sedan

It was also offered in four different trims: the base trim, GL, GLI, and Wolfsburg GLI.
A 1.8-liter 16-valve engine was introduced for the 1987 Volkswagen Jetta, making 123 horsepower.
The Carat, a luxury trim of the 1989 Volkswagen Jetta, had standard power windows and locks, cruise control, air conditioning, and a cassette player.
The Carat, GLI, and GL were trims offered in the 1990 Volkswagen Jetta.
In 1991, the Jetta became the best-selling European Volkswagen car in North America, outselling the Volkswagen Golf by two-to-one.
Volkswagen dropped the 2-door body style for the 1992 Jetta.
Radios in the 1992 models were rewired so they shut off when the ignition was turned off.

Third Generation (1993-1998)

The 1993 Volkswagen Jetta kicked off the latest generation with an optional V6 engine that distributed 172 horsepower.
The 1993 models also had more of a rounded, aerodynamic design.
The Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) engine achieved 41 mpg in city driving conditions.
Volkswagen rebadged and sold as the Jetta as the ‘Vento’ in Europe, hoping to attract a younger audience.
Beginning with the 1994 model year, front driver and passenger airbags were introduced as options.

1998 Volkswagen Jetta GLX V6 - Diego Arias on youtube.com

Those airbags were made standard starting with the 1995 Volkswagen Jetta.
Volkswagen added the Jetta Jazz to the lineup in 1997.
The Jetta Jazz was equipped with an upgraded CD changer sound system.
Also added in 1997 was the Jetta Trek, with a roof-mounted bike rack, special cloth seats, and fog lights.
Finally, the 1997 Volkswagen Jetta GT added a sporty flavor to the lineup.
The Jazz and Trek were eliminated with the 1998 Volkswagen Jetta, but the Jetta K2 was added for the winter sports enthusiasts.

Fourth Generation (1999-2005)

1999 brought the arrival of the Jetta Mk4.
Volkswagen added a wagon model to the mix.
Several a few powertrain options, including: a 115 horsepower four-cylinder gasoline engine, a 2.8-liter V6.
The fourth-generation 1999 Volkswagen Jetta was sold in Europe as the ‘Bora.’
An antitheft-coded ignition key was a new part of the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta offering.

An 8-speaker Monsoon sound system was standard on GLX trims, and optional on others.
A new 1.8-liter turbo four-cylinder delivering 150 horsepower could be found in the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta GLS.
The Jetta GLX included a sport suspension, 17-inch tires, and a 1.8 turbo VR6.
An in-dash cassette and CD player became standard on almost all 2002 Volkswagen Jetta models.
2005 marked the first time that the vehicle became available in Europe under the Jetta V name.
The Jetta received a mid-2005 redesign and was called the “2005.5.”

Fifth Generation (2006-2010)

The 2006 Volkswagen Jetta was unveiled alongside the New Beetle at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
The vehicle weighed an extra 340 lbs.
A new GLI performance model was added to the 2006 lineup.
Sleek styling, extra cargo room, and more passenger room were all part of the 2006 redesign.
Canadian buyers were reintroduced to MK4 as the “City Jetta” because VW wanted to offer urban dwellers a smaller alternative than the larger updated models.
A TDI Clean engine and new diesel particulate filter came with the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta.

2009 Volkswagen Jetta Wagon - media.vw.com

More name-changing happened in Canada with the arrival of the 2007 Sportswagen (a renamed Golf wagon from Europe).
The 2008 Volkswagen Jetta got a 20-horsepower boost, putting out a total of 170 horsepower.
Trims in 2008 included the S, SE, and SEL.
A wagon body style was added to the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta.
The SEL was discontinued in the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta lineup, but the Limited trim was added.
A 2010 Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition featured sport seats, 18-inch wheels, and sport suspension.
The Sportwagen, from 2007, didn’t reach American buyers until 2011.

Sixth Generation (2011-2017)

The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta was completely redesigned to start the sixth generation of the vehicle.
The Volkswagen Jetta continued to be the company’s top-selling U.S. model.
Volkswagen Jetta sales were up 54.5% in 2011.
A multilink rear suspension replaced a torsion beam.
The 2012 Volkswagen Jetta line-up featured 13 models, featuring various body styles, powertrains, and drivetrains.
A new honeycomb grille, a deeper front spoiler, and vertical fog lamps were part of a more dynamic look given specifically to the 2012 Jetta GLI.
Starting MSRP for a 2012 Jetta was $16,645.

2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI - netcarshow.com

Chrome-trimmed interior switches along with metallic trim on door panels and the dash came standard on the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta SE.
The SEL trim added a six-way power driver seat, a soft-touch dash, and two-tone black-and-beige interior accents.
New in 2014 was an available turbo 1.8-liter engine and standard independent rear suspension.
For the first time, the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta was offered as a hybrid model, too.
The starting price for a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid was $27,645.
2016 Volkswagen Jetta models added a 1.4-liter turbocharged and direct-injection TSI engine.

New infotainment included USB connectivity and smartphone integration.
Adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring were available on select models.
Volkswagen simplified their lineup to just four trims with the 2017 Jetta: the S, SE, SEL, and GLI.
Rearview cameras were standard across all 2017 Volkswagen Jettas.
Each of the six trims in the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta (the Jetta S, Wolfsburg Edition, SE, SE Sport, SEL, and GLI) received their own small styling changes, from a more coupe-like windshield incline to LEDs alongside and beneath the headlights in an L-shaped design.

Seventh Generation (2019-Current)

The latest generation of the Jetta was built from the Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) platform.
Designers were able to reshape the body, creating a longer wheelbase, wider track, and shorter front overhang.
The goal for the 2019 Jetta was to create an elegant, athletic look.
Like what happened in other generations, the Jetta, once again, grew in all directions.
A Wi-Fi hot spot became standard across all 2020 Volkswagen Jetta trims.
Wireless device charging was standard in SEL and SEL Premium trims.

A new infotainment system in 2021 Volkswagen Jetta models included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability.
We published in-depth details in our 2021 Volkswagen Jetta Review.
If you’re debating between a 2021 Jetta and a used Jetta, take a look at our New vs. Used Volkswagen Jetta piece.
2022 Volkswagen Jetta models are powered by a revised 1.5-liter EA211 engine, but the Jetta GLI is keeping the 2.0-liter EA888.

2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI – netcarshow.com | Shop Volkswagen Jetta on Carsforsale.com

The 2022 Jetta was given an updated exterior style, with new colors, new wheels, and revised front and rear ends.
Blind-spot monitoring and rear traffic alert are now standard on all 2022 Jetta models.
The inside of the 2022 Jetta was given a digital cockpit with Wi-Fi capability.
The trim lineup was also revised, so the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta is available as the S, Sport, SE, and the SEL.
The Jetta GLI is offered in one fully-loaded trim.
$20,195 is the starting MSRP for the Volkswagen Jetta.