The 2025 mannequin yr marks the Volkswagen Jetta’s forty fifth yr in the USA, and regardless of quite a lot of change between 1980 and now, the Jetta stays an inexpensive compact automotive 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 stored 2025 Jetta costs nearly the identical because the outgoing 2024 mannequin, and it’s nonetheless a decent alternative.
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 coated in a separate assessment.
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, however it doesn’t really feel previous — particularly notable given how most of its opponents have obtained whole redesigns in that point. The Jetta feels uncomplicated, spacious, stable and peppy, all traits of a fantastic small automotive.
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 commonplace 8-inch tablet-style infotainment display screen with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment is typical VW, so when you’re acquainted with the corporate’s consumer interface you then’ll be superb. Some issues aren’t as clear as they may very well be, like how you can mute your navigation directions, however you’ll get comfy with the menus fairly shortly. Additionally new is touch-sensitive local weather management show that’s not as pure to make use of because the 2024 mannequin’s dials, however it’s well-lit and higher than VW’s different touch-sensitive local weather controls.
Many 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 ends in a slight step down in high quality with extra laborious plastic on the highest of the rear doorways, however not less than the armrests within the again seat are effectively padded, in contrast to some opponents. The 2025 Jetta additionally receives upgraded charging accoutrement together with higher-output USB-C ports and a normal air-conditioned higher-output wi-fi charger when you want life with out cables. These inside niceties make the Jetta an interesting alternative on this class. Annoyingly the backup digicam’s video feed appears prefer it was shot on a ‘90s camcorder, however it nonetheless does the trick.
Powertrain choices are carried over from final yr, which suggests 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 computerized transmission. The Jetta GLI is the one Volkswagen supplied 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 presents aggressive horsepower numbers to different compact sedans just like the Corolla, Civic and Elantra whereas producing considerably extra torque than most of its opponents, except for the Mazda 3. One other profit to purchasing a Jetta is its good old style computerized transmission in a sea of CVTs. Each compact competitor except for the Mazda is saddled with a fun-sucking CVT, in order that’s one thing to contemplate when you’re making an attempt to make a purchase order choice on this class of high quality compact automobiles.
Driving the Jetta is an innocuous expertise except for one gripe: extreme tire and suspension noise, particularly coming from the rear of the automotive. 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 in regards to 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 optionally available 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 automotive’s up to date entrance finish is efficient in modernizing the Jetta and bringing it according to the remainder of the present Volkswagen lineup, although the entrance mild bar that’s commonplace on all trims except for the bottom S feels gimmicky to me. Styling is subjective, however I believe the facelift properly modernizes the Jetta’s vibe each in and out. I believe 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 supply good worth propositions.
The bottom 2025 Jetta S now comes commonplace with an computerized transmission and begins at $23,220 (together with $1,225 vacation spot), which is $240 cheaper than final yr’s computerized S. The Sport trim provides a lowered sport suspension and different fascinating choices for simply $24,500, $110 cheaper than final yr, and it’s more likely to be the candy spot for many patrons. SE trim begins at $26,200 which is $100 costlier than final yr, and SEL trim begins at $30,225 which is $175 pricier than final yr, and the worth of my check automotive. The brand new 2025 Jetta presents extra of what we’ve grown to count on from Volkswagen: stable construct high quality, an elevated feel and look, peppy powertrains with a touch of driving pleasure, and a ton of inside house at an inexpensive worth. Within the crowded and aggressive compact automotive section, the Jetta remains to be a sensible choice.
