2023 Volkswagen Jetta

History/Overview

For decades, the Jetta represented Volkswagen in the compact sedan segment as a premium option in a field of true economy cars. More recently, the Jetta and its competitors have met in the middle: the rest of the fleet has moved upscale while VW has shifted the Jetta downmarket slightly. The current Jetta has been around since 2019.

What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year

For 2023, Jetta Trendline gains blind spot monitoring, and Comfortline models with the optional sport package add new badges and aluminum pedals.

Available Trims

VW offers the Jetta in Trendline, Comfortline, and Highline trim levels. In all, power is from a 1.5L turbo four-cylinder engine. Trendline and Comfortline start with a six-speed manual transmission that options to an eight-speed automatic; Highline comes exclusively with the eight-speed.

A high-performance Jetta GLI variant is covered in a separate buyer’s guide entry.

Standard Features

Trendline models come with 16-inch wheels, auto on/off LED headlights, LED taillights, and heated side mirrors/washer nozzles. Inside, there’s a 6.5-inch touchscreen, a digital gauge cluster, four-speaker audio, heated front seats/steering wheel, and manual A/C. The Jetta’s basic safety suite is limited to forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection.

Comfortline trim’s additions include automatic high beams, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise, and lane assist. Other upgrades include 17-inch wheels, passive keyless entry, rain-sensing wipers, and remote engine start. Inside, this configuration adds an 8.0-inch touchscreen, wireless phone charging, six-speaker audio, dual-zone A/C, a power driver’s seat, and leatherette upholstery.

Highline gains a locking differential, upgraded gauges, a Beats stereo with subwoofer, sunroof, wiper de-icer, navigation, LED reading lights, ventilated front/heated rear seats, and leather upholstery.

Key Options

A Comfortline sport package adds a sunroof, ambient lighting, an upgraded gauge cluster, wiper de-icer, a locking differential, sport-tuned suspension, and LED reading lights.

Fuel Economy

VW’s fuel consumption estimates for the Jetta are 7.7/5.7 L/100 km (city/highway) with the automatic transmission, and 8.2/5.6 L/100 km for stickshift cars.

Competition

The Volkswagen Jetta competes with the Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Sentra, Honda Civic, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla, Kia Forte, and Mazda3.