2025 Volkswagen Jetta review: Nearly 40 MPG

The Jetta continues for another year, and it's aging like wine.

2025 Volkswagen Jetta review by The Road Beat

Words and pictures: Mitchell Weitzman

Not all cars age well. When the current Corolla debuted in 2018, it represented a huge step forward for the brand and one of its core economy cars. Fast forward to today, and the unchanged Corolla feels stuck in the last century, aging like milk instead of wine. Other models have had significant revamps, like Honda's superb new Civic and the uniquely styled and practical Hyundai Elantra—both of which I've tried and liked (or loved in the case of the Civic). Yet, in the thick of it all, the VW Jetta hasn't really changed much in the past five years, yet it has aged astoundingly well and makes a seriously compelling case on its own. The Jetta is a pretty good car, and I did not expect to arrive at that conclusion before spending a week with it.

Picks

For a vehicle costing $30,680 with options and destination factored in, this is a remarkably well-equipped car. Beyond the basics, here are some standout features that impress for $30K all-in: leather seats, a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and even heated rear seats. I can't think of another car that combines all those attributes at this price—it’s frankly astonishing, especially with real leather instead of some faux material. Of course, the usual suite of active safety systems is included, along with radar cruise control (which I actually despise), Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Even the BeatsAudio stereo is impressive for the price and, dare I say, beats (pun intended) the JBL-branded option in cheaper Toyotas.

So, we have fantastic value with a capital F, but that's not the only thing worth raving about. For commuters, there’s the nearly 40 MPG I averaged after a week of mixed driving. Sure, 40 sounds better than 38.8, but hey, that's pretty damn close! For a non-hybrid vehicle to achieve this figure is an impressive feat, especially when recently tested Corolla Hybrids only manage a few solitary MPG more. And unlike some competitors, Volkswagen builds a much smoother four cylinder engine, avoiding the yelping coarseness that plagues Toyotas. Here, you get a low-frequency, muted tone that plays in the background when you step on the throttle—not exactly pleasant, but far from the annoying cry of competing compacts.

The 1.5L turbocharged engine also punches above its weight, making real-world acceleration effortless thanks to its flexible midrange power. It doesn't require screaming at 4,000-5,000 RPM just to maintain speed up freeway grades. While 0-60 MPH in 7.5 seconds isn’t headline-grabbing, it’s still worlds better than those Corollas I keep mentioning—and notably quicker in real-world driving where it matters most.

Jettas, though well-equipped, aren't going to win awards for luxury or build quality. However, on the surface, the Jetta’s interior looks decent and interesting enough—not the drab dungeon of a Corolla. The touchpoints may not impress, but the cabin at least gives off the visual impression of quality. For buyers shopping under $30K, perception can be just as important. More importantly, it never feels outright cheap, even if the leather seats can look a little rumpled at times. One thing that cannot be overstated is how roomy the Jetta is, with a deep and spacious rear seat that easily accommodates adults and a humongous trunk perfect for a Costco haul.

Driving is another positive for the Jetta. It’s reasonably quiet at speed and delivers a very comfortable ride that keeps occupants happy. It’s not particularly athletic or dynamic, losing ground to Honda and Mazda on that front. However, when pushed, the front differential does an admirable job resisting understeer and tucking the nose toward an apex. Despite being turbocharged, there’s zero torque steer, and the light steering makes for effortless driving on long cruises. It’s not a party animal in the bends like a Golf GTI or Jetta GLI, but it holds its own well enough—even if it rolls a bit—maintaining control with a strong and resilient front axle.

Nicks

Let’s get right into it: I think the steering is too overboosted. While some drivers will appreciate the featherlight wheel that requires zero effort—you can practically drive with just a pinky—I think it dulls engagement and makes the handling feel more rubbery than it actually is.

Despite my general liking for this little turbocharged engine, the eight-speed automatic sometimes shifts into second gear too early, causing it to bog down. It’s not as much of an issue as it is in other Volkswagens like the Taos (which has the same engine but far more weight to lug around), but it still happens and can be frustrating. Fortunately, you can adapt and find a sweet spot to avoid either lurching or the second-gear bog, so it’s not the end of the world.

Another recent bit of big news: Volkswagen has killed the manual transmission in all Jettas except the hot GLI. It won’t matter to most buyers, but for those on the "Save the Manuals" political action committee, it’s a sad reality. I always enjoyed rowing gears in modest VWs.

Most of the controls are straightforward, but there are some annoying touch-sensitive switches—most notably the sliding temperature control, which is needlessly difficult compared to a simple knob. Worse, it requires you to take your eyes off the road to adjust. Thankfully, the steering wheel doesn’t have the same idiotic sliders for volume that other recent VWs have suffered from, and there’s still a normal volume knob in the center. However, the steering wheel itself is still too crowded with small buttons. The top-right switch for the heated steering wheel deserves a special callout for being awkwardly placed and tiny enough that anyone with large hands will need an angled fingernail to press it.

And the largest issue with the VW Jetta? The Honda Civic, doing everything the Jetta does, but with fewer annoyances, a more dynamic and involving driving experience, and a has a further upscale interior on top trims.

A solid, value-packed alternative

I really expected to kind of hate this Jetta, but I came away pleasantly surprised. The gas mileage is fantastic, it has all the features you could ever want in a car, and it even slightly resembles one of its more expensive Audi brethren. Whether my nitpicks matter to you is another question, but overall, this is a seriously impressive car for the $30,680 asking price. It’s not as good as a Civic, but it’s closer than I previously thought. And for a car that hasn’t meaningfully changed in years, I actually find myself enjoying the Jetta more than before. Like finding a partner with a solid skincare routine, aging well is always a good sign for the future. Maybe not quite like a vintage Cheval Blanc, but one of Trader Joe's finer and surprisingly terrific bargains? You bet.

2025 Volkswagen Jetta 1.5T SEL

Price as-tested: $30,680

Pros: Spacious interior; Comfortable to drive; Excellent economy

Cons: Honda Civics exist

Engine and Performance:

• Engine: 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4

• Horsepower: 158 hp

• Torque: 184 lb-ft

• Transmission: 8-speed automatic with Tiptronic

• Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive (FWD)

Fuel Efficiency:

• City/Highway MPG: 29/40 MPG (EPA estimated)

• Real world economy: 38.8 MPG

• Fuel Tank Capacity: 13.2 gallons

Dimensions:

• Overall Length: 186.5 inches

• Wheelbase: 105.7 inches

• Width: 70.8 inches

• Height: 57.7 inches

• Curb Weight: Approximately 3,071 pounds

Interior Features:

• Seating: Leather upholstery with heated and ventilated front seats; heated rear seats

• Infotainment: 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility

• Audio System: BeatsAudio premium sound system

• Climate Control: Dual-zone automatic climate control

• Sunroof: Panoramic sunroof

Safety and Driver Assistance:

• Standard Features: Volkswagen's IQ.DRIVE suite, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking

Wheels and Tires:

• Wheels: 18-inch alloy wheels

Warranty

• Basic: 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first.

• Corrosion: 7 years or 100,000 miles.

• Roadside Assistance: 3 years or 36,000 miles.

• Scheduled Maintenance: 2 years or 20,000 miles.

More photos of the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta

Thank you for reading The Road Beat's 2025 Volkswagen Jetta review. Please subscribe if you enjoy our candid takes and photography. All images by mitchellweitzmanphoto.com.