2025 Volkswagen Jetta Review

Check out our comprehensive review of the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta for details on the cabin, technology, amenities, and safety of this second-generation crossover.

What is New for the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta?

2025 Volkswagen Jetta - vm.com

2025 Volkswagen Jetta – vw.com |  Shop 2025 Volkswagen Jetta on Carsforsale.com

For 2025, the Jetta has been refreshed. On sale since 2019 in 7th-gen form, it receives an updated front- and rear-end treatment. Engines in base and GLI models carry over from the prior Jetta, but the manual transmission has been dropped from base models. It is now only offered with the GLI. Other changes to this compact sedan are new wheel designs, a standard 8” central display, and the addition of Monterey Blue Pearl and Monument Gray to the color palette.

Carsforsale.com Score
8.6/10
Powertrain
Score
8/10
Interior
Score
8.25/10
Technology
Score
7.75/10
Value
Score
7.75/10
Body Style

Starting Price

MSRP $21,995

Drivetrain

Drivetrain

FWD

Drivetrain

Fuel Economy

29 City / 39 Hwy

Number of Seats

Seating

Seats 5

The Breakdown

Low starting price

Impressive highway fuel economy

Sporty GLI

No more manual on base models

Small infotainment interface

Lack of physical HVAC controls

VW keeps the competent sedan formula going

2025 Jetta Specs

Trims & Pricing

S - $21,995
Sport - $23,275
SE - $24,975
SEL - $29,000
GLI - $32,715

2025 Volkswagen Jetta Powertrain 8/10

2025 Volkswagen Jetta - vm.com
2025 Volkswagen Jetta - vm.com

In S through SEL trim, the 2025 Jetta comes with a turbocharged 1.5L inline-4 making 158 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed automatic transmission sends power to the front wheels only, there is no AWD option with the Jetta. Fuel economy comes in at 33 mpg combined for these models.

In Sport trim, the 2025 Jetta features an “XDS Cross Differential System” that VW says improves traction when hitting it hard on corner exits. But for those interested in a higher degree of performance, take a look at the Jetta GLI. Unlike base models that come with a torsion beam rear axle design, the GLI sports a multi-link rear suspension.

It also has a more potent 2.0L boosted four-pot up front making 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. A 6-speed manual is standard though the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic is a no-cost option. These Jettas also have Multimode Dynamic Chassis Control with adaptive dampers for a greater degree of ride and handling tuning. With the automatic, Car and Driver clocked the GLI at a quick 5.6 seconds in the 0-60 run.

2025 Volkswagen Jetta Interior 8.25/10

Technically a 5-seater, the back seat of the 2025 Jetta is best suited for just 2 adults or, depending on your patience, 3 kids. Leg room measures 37 inches back there and the bench does fold down in a 60/40 configuration enabling longer item stowage. The trunk itself offers 14 cubic feet of volume, a smidge more than the Toyota Corolla.

Upholstery ranges from black cloth on base Jettas to “Molekular” patterned fabric on the Sport, and genuine leather on top models. Heated front seats show up on the Sport model with climatized fronts and heated second-row outboard seats on the SEL and above.

2025 Volkswagen Jetta Technology Features 7.75/10

2025 Volkswagen Jetta Tech - vm.com
2025 Volkswagen Jetta Tech - vm.com

New for 2025, every Jetta comes with an 8” central touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android are also standard, but you’ll need at least an SE to enjoy wireless integration. There is also a Wi-Fi hotspot across the board, but the upgraded Beats Audio stereo system with 9 speakers is reserved for SEL and GLI trim levels.

Safety highlights on the Jetta include 6 airbags and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Be aware, however, that the IIHS gave the Jetta a Poor rating in the front overlap crash test, its lowest rating. Standard IQ.DRIVE advanced driver-assistance systems include forward collision mitigation, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a lane-keeping system, and adaptive cruise control.

2025 Volkswagen Jetta Trims & Pricing

2025 Volkswagen Jetta S - vm.com
2025 Volkswagen Jetta S - vm.com

S – $21,995

In base S trim, the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta comes with 16” alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, and all-LED exterior lighting. The black cloth cabin features dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual front USB ports, and 4 stereo speakers.

2025 Volkswagen Jetta Sport - vm.com
2025 Volkswagen Jetta Sport - vm.com

Sport – $23,275

Sport models get dressed up with 17” wheels, black exterior trim, and a light bar running across the front grille. Interior upgrades consist of a black headliner, special Molekular upholstery, heated front seats, and a black headliner.

2025 Volkswagen Jetta SE - vm.com
2025 Volkswagen Jetta SE - vm.com

SE – $24,975

The Jetta SE features keyless access, CloudTex upholstery on front “Sports comfort seats”, stainless-steel pedal caps, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. There are also 2 more USB ports for the back seats, 6 speakers, and a wireless phone charging pad.

2025 Volkswagen Jetta SEL - vm.com
2025 Volkswagen Jetta SEL - vm.com

SEL – $29,000

SEL Jettas are loaded with 18” wheels, a sunroof, ambient cabin lighting, ventilated front seats, and heated rears. Interior design schemes include a two-tone blue and gray look, while technology upgrades include a 10.25” fully digital gauge cluster and navigation.

2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI - vm.com
2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI - vm.com

GLI – $32,715

Sporty GLI trim comes with a bigger motor, a manual transmission, red-painted calipers, and the option for a two-tone exterior finish. These Jettas largely mirror the SEL for content but add a weirdly named Red Crust interior accent design.

2025 Volkswagen Jetta Overall Value 7.75/10

Unless you’re going to reach for the enthusiast-friendly GLI, stick with the value-packed 2025 Volkswagen Jetta S. Its bargain basement pricing is right in line with the Kia K4 LX, a car we compare to the Jetta here. The Kia does have a larger 12.3” central display and a 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, which is double what VW offers. But the Jetta comes with 2 years of complimentary maintenance, something the K4 can’t match.

Carsforsale.com Overall Score 8/10

2025 Volkswagen Jetta - vm.com

2025 Volkswagen Jetta – vm.com |  Shop 2025 Volkswagen Jetta on Carsforsale.com

First off, credit to Volkswagen for continuing to even build a sedan as so many competitors have abandoned the segment. Though it’s riding on an older platform, the 2025 Jetta looks nice from the outside and offers plenty of VW’s signature quirkiness like those Molekular seats.

The latest Jetta does sit behind the pack with a smallish infotainment screen and the touch-based HVAC controls are sure to drive some crazy. But at least you can still row your own gears with the GLI, something very hard to find in any new vehicle these days.

FAQ’s About the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta

2025 Volkswagen Jetta - vm.com
2025 Volkswagen Jetta - vm.com

How much is the Volkswagen Jetta?

The 2025 Jetta starts at $21,995 and goes up to $32,715 for the top-spec GLI.

Where are Jetta’s made?

Jettas for the North American market are made in Puebla, Mexico.

Is the Jetta AWD?

No, the VW Jetta is only sold as a front-wheel drive car.

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Niel Stender

Niel Stender grew up doing replacement work on his 1990 Cherokee and 1989 Starion, so it’s not surprising that he would put his mechanical engineering degree from the University of New Hampshire to use in the car world as a vehicle dynamics engineer. Now engineering sentence structures, his writing infuses his auto experience with his time in marketing and his sales experience. Writing about cars for close to a decade now, he focuses on some of the more technical mechanical systems that are found under the hood and throughout a vehicle.

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