2023 Volkswagen Jetta

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Rating5.9

Ranked #5 in 

Sedan
Write Review
$20,655 - $32,385
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on July 19, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Refined ride quality.

Dull plastic interior trims.

Remote start function is now available for all trims.

User-friendly and customizable instrument cluster.

Confusion steering mounted controls.

Ample in-cabin storage.

Stiff brake pedal.

Specs & Features

$20,655

price

158 hp @ 5500 rpm

horsepower

184 lb.-ft. @ 1750 rpm

torque

6-speed Manual

transmission

1.5L 4cyl FWD 6M

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The Volkswagen Jetta received a noticeable update for the 2022 model year and hence, the 2023 Jetta would be a carryover model and as per reports, the brand intends to give the model a refresh only for the upcoming model in the near future. On the outside, the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta retains the current design that consists of prominent body lines, wide lower air intake, and plain lighting. The GLI trim of the Jetta is the sportier version of this compact sedan and it features red accents, sharped redesigned bumpers, and larger 18-inch wheels. The Volkswagen Jetta comes standard with a 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that churns out 158 horsepower paired with either a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Jetta GLI comes with a slightly bigger 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that has a maximum power output of 228 horsepower mated to a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic transmission.

Buying Advice

The S trim definitely is a bargain for the price it sells for but we would highly recommend picking the SE variant of the Jetta as it comes with a larger set of wheels and also additional creature comfort that manages to hide the dull appearance and feel of the standard cabin. The Jetta SE also has enough adjustability options that make sure to keep the drive as comfortable as possible.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The only expected changes on the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta is the inclusion of remote start on all trim levels and a bump up in price for all models of a mere $50 and this gets the price of the base S trim up to $20,415. Volkswagen intends to keep the GLI variant of the Jetta separate from the mainstream variants as a part of the fully equipped Autobahn trim. The Jetta is spread across S, Sport, SE, and SEL trims and these cars carry enough power and equipment needed in a daily drivable sedan. However, Volkswagen isn’t the only manufacturer focusing on such a demanding market and they are up against the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, and the Mazda 3.

Features
7.0/10

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta will be available in 4 trims and the base variant will be called the S trim which begins at $20,415 and proceeds to Sport, SE, and SEL which sells for $28,145. Even though the pricing of the Jetta is kept very accessible for many, Volkswagen has made sure to provide an array of features that makes this sedan a value-for-money deal. All the models are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible and Volkswagen has decided to include remote start on all the Jetta which is a feature that was only available on the higher trims previously.

Trim

S

Sport

SE

SEL

MSRP

$20,416

$21,315

$24,145

$28,145

Key Features

LED headlights

17-inch alloy wheels

Optional sunroof

Adaptive headlights

16-inch alloy wheels

Gloss-black front grille

Rain-sensing wipers

8-inch touchscreen

6.5-inch touchscreen display

Black window trim, mirror caps, and headliner

Leatherette upholstery

10.25-inch digital instrument cluster

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Front accent lights

Power-adjustable driver’s seat

Wireless phone connectivity

2 USB ports

Rear-seat center armrest with cup holders

Heated front seats

Wireless phone charging pad

4-speaker audio system

 

Dual-zone automatic climate control

9-speaker audio system by Beats

8-inch digital instrument cluster

 

Keyless entry with push-start button

Leather Upholstery

Volkswagen Car-Net mobile app

   

Ventilated front seats

     

Heated rear seats

     

Heated steering wheel

     

Ambient cabin lighting with 10 colors 

We Recommend

The S trim definitely is a bargain for the price it sells for but we would highly recommend picking the SE variant of the Jetta as it comes with a larger set of wheels and also additional creature comfort that manages to hide the dull appearance and feel of the standard cabin. The Jetta SE also has enough adjustability options that make sure to keep the drive as comfortable as possible.

Release Date

According to the production bulletin issued by Volkswagen, the 2023 Jetta could begin production in late July and hit the dealers by the end of 2022.

Fuel Economy
5.0/10

The Volkswagen Jetta has the upper hand in using the smaller engine here as it is supposed to make the car much more efficient than the rivals that use a larger engine. The Volkswagen Jetta with a highway driving condition with an average speed of 75 mph pumps out 43 mpg and in the city with tons of braking and gear shifts, the Jetta manages to churn out 29 mpg.

Model

2023 Volkswagen Jetta

2023 Honda Civic

2023 Hyundai Elantra

2023 Mazda 3

MPG (city)

29

30

33

28

MPG (highway)

43

38

43

36

MPG (combined)

35

33

37

31

Fuel capacity (gallons)

13.2

12.4

14.0

13.2

Range (City, highway, combined, in miles)

383/568/462

372/471/409

462/602/518

369/475/409

The Volkswagen and the Hyundai holds a very close result in terms of fuel economy and the numbers that both the cars have managed to put are extremely great. However, the Hyundai takes the lead and its bigger fuel tank gives the car a much larger overall range. Nonetheless, the Volkswagen Jetta is clearly a great

Interior
6.0/10

The Volkswagen Jetta comes with a tastefully designed interior, however, the quality isn’t the best out there and comprises a lot of dull finished plastic components. The users get features like heated rear seats, wireless phone connectivity, and ambient lighting just to name a few. Even though the Jetta is classified to be a compact sedan, the cabin offers plenty of space for a small family to comfortably commute in optimal comfort. The seats come wrapped in fabric but that is upgraded to faux leather or genuine leather upholstery depending on the trim you pick. The Volkswagen Jetta also has plenty of in-cabin storage spaces and cubbies but if carrying larger baggage is what you intend to, the trunk space of 14.1 cu-ft is ample enough, which can be extended further by folding the second row of seats.

Model

2023 Volkswagen Jetta

2023 Honda Civic

2023 Hyundai Elantra

2023 Mazda 3

Passenger Capacity

5

5

5

5

First Row (Head/shoulder/legroom)

38.5/55.9/41.1

39.3/57.0/42.3

40.6/56.5/42.3

38.0/55.7/42.3

Second Row (Head/shoulder/legroom)

37.2/54.0/37.4

37.1/55.0/37.4

37.3/55.6/38.0

37.3/53.5/35.1

Cargo Capacity (cu.-ft)

14.1

15.1

14.2

13.2

Even though the Jetta falls back slightly in terms of the front row legroom, the difference is barely noticeable and the car has ample space in both rows, making it a comfortable space to be in. The car that would be slightly cramped would be the Mazda 3 as the rear passenger legroom is going to be tight for taller passengers. Honda manages to offer the biggest cargo space while Mazda falls back again in this aspect.

Some standout interior features on the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta include- 

  • Heated front and rear row seats.
  • Ambient lighting with 10 colors.
  • Dual-zone climate control.
  • 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.
  • 8-way power adjustable driver seat with memory function.
  • Leather upholstery.

How intuitive is the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta infotainment system?

The Volkswagen Jetta will come with the same infotainment module that comprises a 6.5-inch touchscreen slightly tilted towards the driver to allow ease of operation. The display is responsive and lag-free but for those who crave a bigger screen, pick the SEL trim for an 8-inch display. Volkswagen has made sure to have a great balance between the physical buttons and touch interfaces, making the experience very engaging. The system also has wireless Apply CarPlay and Android Auto that works seamlessly with minimum to no lag between the phone and the module. The module also allows gesture controls and the higher trim carries a crisp audio system by Beats that consists of 8-speakers.

Some of the standout infotainment features on the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta are-

  • 6.5-inch or an 8-inch infotainment screen.
  • SiriusXM satellite radio.
  • Wireless charging pad.
  • Wireless phone connectivity.
  • 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.
  • 8-speaker audio system by Beats.

Exterior
4.0/10

The exterior styling will not feature any new elements or features but even though it’s a carryover design, the Volkswagen Jetta looks absolutely elegant with the straight lines running on the side of the sedan with a cleaner-looking grille and bumper that was updated the last year. The Jetta Sport carries black accents on the grille, mirror cap, and roof, making it the best-looking trim but when compared to its rivals, the Jetta might feel a bit bland as their design is much more sporty and updated. The Jetta stands slightly tall than most other sedans and this makes it very easy to get in and out of while also increasing the ground clearance by a decent margin.

Model

2023 Volkswagen Jetta

2023 Honda Civic

2023 Hyundai Elantra

2023 Mazda 3

Curb Weight (lbs)

2,915

2,935

2,868

2,984

Length (in.)

185.1

182.7

184.1

183.5

Width (in.)

70.8

70.9

71.9

70.7

Height (in.)

57.4

55.7

55.7

56.9

Ground Clearance (in.)

5.6

6.7

5.3

5.5

Wheelbase (in.)

105.7

106.3

107.1

107.3

Being the longest car in the lot, the Volkswagen Jetta also is the tallest vehicle here. This does get the ground clearance up a little but the Honda Civic manages to provide maximum space between the ground and the car itself.

Some of the standout exterior features include -

  • 16” or 17”-inch alloy wheels.
  • Panoramic sunroof.
  • Power folding side-view mirrors.
  • Heated side-view mirrors.
  • Black exterior accents on the Sport trim

Safety
7.0/10

With the 2022 model bagging a 5-star rating on NHTSA, the same can be expected for the current model and Volkswagen has made sure to include enough driver assistance aid right from the base trim that includes adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The MQB platform that the Jetta is based on has a reputation for keeping the occupants safe at all times and that is well portrayed through the test result.

Some of the standout safety features available with the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta are-

  • Forward collision warning and automated emergency braking.
  • Blind-spot monitoring.
  • Adaptive cruise control.
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
  • Electronic stability control.
  • Rear-view camera.

Competition

2023 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2023 Honda Civic

The Honda Civic by far is the toughest rival to the Volkswagen Jetta and both these cars have their own distinctive character which may suit different audiences. The Volkswagen Jetta takes the win when it comes to being the quickest and the more fuel-efficient option but the Civic has a much better interior, larger cabin space, and also a better drive experience that doesn’t get boring unlike what’s provided by the Jetta.

2023 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2023 Hyundai Elantra

The Hyundai Elantra is very similar to the Jetta in most aspects and even has a similar gas mileage but the larger fuel tank on the Elantra lets it cover more distance in a single stretch. However, the Elantra is underpowered and is much slower than the Jetta, and considering the fact that Hyundai priced the car slightly over the Jetta, it is ideal to go for the latter as it holds better value overall.

2023 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2023 Mazda 3

Being the smallest car here, the Mazda 3 can be cramped especially in the rear row and despite its size, this sedan turns out to be the heaviest, and the weight has taken a slight toll on its fuel efficiency and performance, making it a less exciting car to drive. The only aspect that the Mazda is better than the Volkswagen is in terms of the braking performance but this difference isn’t enough to put the Mazda up on the priority list out of the two.

Final Verdict

Volkswagen decided to keep this as a carryover model due to the refresh that it received last year and the Jetta still manages to stand as the most powerful option among its competition. The Jetta might not be the best car to drive as it lacks driver engagement with steering that feels poorly connected to the road. The Volkswagen Jetta holds a very elegant styling in order to suit the masses and even though the car packs a smaller engine when compared, the Germans have managed to keep things very refined under the hood. Volkswagen aimed at providing a well-rounded sedan and they surely have delivered. The thing that would need an improvement in this car is the interior quality as the plastic finishes feel slightly cheap but otherwise, the Volkswagen Jetta is a great choice especially if you’re looking for performance, safety, and fuel efficiency all in the same sedan.

Trims

    S
    $20,655 onwards
    • Engine: 1.5L 4cyl FWD 6M
    • Horsepower: 158 hp @ 5500 rpm hp
    • Torque: 184 lb.-ft. @ 1750 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 7.6 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 34 mpg
    Sport
    $21,555 onwards
    • Engine: 1.5L 4cyl FWD 8A
    • Horsepower: 158 hp @ 5500 rpm hp
    • Torque: 184 lb.-ft. @ 1750 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 7.7 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 33 mpg
    SE
    $24,385 onwards
    • Engine: 1.5L 4cyl FWD 8A
    • Horsepower: 158 hp @ 5500 rpm hp
    • Torque: 184 lb.-ft. @ 1750 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 7.7 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 33 mpg
    SEL
    $28,385 onwards
    • Engine: 1.5L 4cyl FWD 8A
    • Horsepower: 158 hp @ 5500 rpm hp
    • Torque: 184 lb.-ft. @ 1750 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 7.7 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 33 mpg
    GLI Autobahn
    $31,585 onwards
    • Engine: 2.0L 4cyl FWD 6M
    • Horsepower: 228 hp @ 6500 rpm hp
    • Torque: 258 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.7 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 30 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$20,655- $32,385

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

5.89

Horsepower

228 hp @ 6500 rpm

Torque

258 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$22,550- $35,300

Gasoline

8

191 hp @ 6000 rpm

186 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

$20,200- $23,090

Gasoline

6.07

149 hp @ 6400 rpm

146 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

5

Read Review

$21,700- $26,850

Gasoline

7.2

169 hp @ 6600 rpm

151 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

5

Read Review

$20,950- $34,150

Gasoline

6.86

147 hp @ 6200 rpm

132 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$19,690- $25,090

Gasoline

6.59

147 hp @ 6200 rpm

132 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

2023 Volkswagen Jetta vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    7.6 sec--
    2023 Mazda 3

    Ranked #1

    7.6 sec15.9 sec130 mph
    9 sec--
    9.1 sec--
    9.1 sec17.0 sec130 mph
    9.3 sec17.1 sec120 mph

    2023 Volkswagen Jetta vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      29 mpg42 mpg34 mpg13.2 gal.382.8/554.4 mi.
      33 mpg42 mpg37 mpg14 gal.409.2/520.8 mi.
      32 mpg41 mpg35 mpg13.2 gal.- -
      29 mpg39 mpg33 mpg12.4 gal.359.6/483.6 mi.
      28 mpg39 mpg32 mpg14 gal.420/574 mi.
      2023 Mazda 3

      Ranked #6

      28 mpg37 mpg31 mpg13.2 gal.369.60/488.40 mi.

      2023 Volkswagen Jetta vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        186.5 in.70.8 in.57.7 in.5.5 in.105.7 in. -

        2023 Hyundai Elantra N

        Ranked #2

        184.1 in.71.9 in.55.7 in.5.5 in.107.1 in. -
        184.1 in.71.9 in.55.7 in.5.3 in.107.1 in. -
        2023 Mazda 3

        Ranked #3

        183.5 in.70.7 in.56.9 in.5.5 in.107.3 in. -
        182.7 in.70.9 in.56.5 in.5.3 in.106.3 in. -
        182.7 in.71.5 in.56.9 in.4.8 in.106.6 in. -

        2023 Volkswagen Jetta vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          SourceCompare
          14.1 cu.ft.94.7 cu.ft.
          13.1 cu.ft.88.6 cu.ft. -
          14.3 cu.ft.96 cu.ft.
          14.2 cu.ft.99.4 cu.ft.
          15.3 cu.ft.96 cu.ft.
          2023 Mazda 3

          Ranked #1

          13.2 cu.ft.92.8 cu.ft.

          2023 Volkswagen Jetta vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            SourceCompare
            14.1 cu.ft.
            13.1 cu.ft. -
            15.3 cu.ft.
            14.3 cu.ft.
            2023 Mazda 3

            Ranked #5

            13.2 cu.ft.
            14.2 cu.ft.

            2023 Volkswagen Jetta vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              1080 lbs.2915 lbs. -
              2023 Mazda 3

              Ranked #1

              1008 lbs.3126 lbs. -
              921 lbs.3036 lbs. -
              1023 lbs.2908 lbs. -
              -2955 lbs. -
              1133 lbs.2868 lbs.

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