2022 Volkswagen Jetta

History/Overview

The Jetta compact sedan is now Volkswagen’s sole non-performance-oriented car model, thanks to last year’s disappearance of the base Golf hatchback. It’s a handsome car that is well-suited to the task of competing for buyers with some of Canada’s most popular small cars.

What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year

For 2022, the VW Jetta gets a mid-cycle refresh that follows up on the car’s last full redesign in 2019. Exterior styling has been updated, and the Jetta gets a new, more-powerful 1.5L turbo engine borrowed from the Taos crossover.

Available Trims

Volkswagen offers the Jetta in Trendline, Comfortline, and Highline trim levels. All three use the new 1.5L motor, which comes with a six-speed manual in Trendline and Comfortline models. Highline gets an eight-speed automatic that is optional in the lesser packages. As mentioned, the sporty GLI is available too, but it’s covered in its own article.

Standard Features

Jetta Trendline comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, auto on/off LED headlights, heated side mirrors and windshield washer nozzles, air conditioning, heated front seats and steering wheel, digital gauge cluster, a 6.5-inch infotainment display, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, forward collision detection/mitigation, and hill hold assist.

Comfortline’s additions include 17-inch wheels, rain-sensing wipers, an auto-dimming mirror, 8.0-inch touchscreen, six-speaker audio, passive keyless entry, automatic climate control, wireless smartphone charging, a power driver’s seat with lumbar, leatherette upholstery, blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and, in automatic cars, highway driving assist.

Finally, Highline trim adds adaptive headlights, sunroof, heated rear seats, wiper de-icer, leather seating, ventilated front seats, ambient cabin lighting, an upgraded digital gauge display, navigation, and an eight-speaker stereo.

Key Options

The Jetta’s sole option package is a Comfortline Sport group with unique wheels and bumpers, sunroof, ambient lighting, upgraded digital gauges, LED reading lights, and a sport suspension.

Fuel Economy

As we write this, Volkswagen has only published fuel consumption estimates for the Jetta’s automatic transmission, which is rated for 7.7/5.7 L/100 km (city/highway) when matched with the car’s new-for-2022 engine.

Competition

As VW’s entry in the compact sedan category, the Jetta goes up against the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, Nissan Sentra, Subaru Impreza, and Mazda3.