
I wonder if you’ve had the same thought I’ve had, crawling in traffic or trying to squeeze into a parking space---the thought that something smaller, simpler, more maneuverable might be better than the SUVs we as a country seem to have flocked to.
And it would be nice to have something that would make a dash out a winding back road---fun.
What we’re thinking of is a compact sedan, but something a little more engaging than the usual Japanese and Korean econoboxes.

There’s a heavily refreshed Volkswagen Jetta for 2025. It’s been a while since my last review of one and there are quite a few changes.



Unchanged from my 2022 review---the ’25 Jetta has 158 horsepower from a 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder, and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy is an EPA-estimated 29 mpg city/40 highway. I actually beat the estimate---ending up at 45.3 mpg over 65 miles of city streets and urban freeways.

For more enthusiastic driving, there’s a Jetta GLI model with 228 horsepower and an available six-speed stick shift.
The Jetta SEL I drove has selectable drive modes---“Comfort”, “Eco”, Sport” and “Custom”, with the last allowing you to tailor the steering and throttle to your preference. In “Sport” mode, it attacks winding roads with vigor.
Volkswagen also deserves applause for including its IQ.DRIVE active safety suite as standard equipment on all 2025 Jettas. It includes semi-automated driving assistance, forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian monitoring, active blind spot monitoring, rear traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, and automated emergency assistance in the event of a crash.
Why applause? Because a surprising number of manufacturers, including those who charge $50,000 and more for their cars, only make even the most basic of those active safety features available as extra-cost options.



Trunk space in the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta is generous for the compact sedan class at 14.1 cubic feet.

And rear seat passengers will think they're in a much larger car---with 37.4 inches of legroom.


The Volkswagen Jetta’s base price for its lowest trim level, Jetta S, is $21,995 (not including destination charges).
And even in that base model, you get a leather-wrapped steering wheel, rain-sensing windshield wipers, dual-zone automatic climate control, an eight-inch touchscreen, and 16-inch alloy wheels.
Moving up the ladder to Jetta Sport ($23,275) adds an integrated light bar in the grille, 17-inch wheels, heated front seats, a cross-differential system and some black trim, with stainless steel pedal caps.
The third rung on the ladder, Jetta SE ($24,975) builds on that by adding remote engine start, wireless charging, a three-month subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio, a power driver’s seat, synthetic leather seating surfaces and keyless entry with pushbutton start.



And the top trim, which I drove, the Jetta SEL ($29,000) includes 18-inch alloy wheels, heated and ventilated front seats, heated outboard rear seats, a sunroof, ambient interior lighting, leather seating surfaces, navigation and a BeatsAudio premium sound system.
Not long ago, that would have been the standard equipment description for a $45,000 luxury sedan. Even better, VW has a one-price-per-trim level approach. Apart from incidentals that are usually dealer-installed options (mud mats, roof carriers, bike racks, etc.), the only way to spend more money is on an extra-cost paint color. The car I drove had one---Kings Red Metallic---adding $455 to the tab.
So, with $1,225 destination charge, the bottom line on the window sticker reads $30,680. That includes two years of free scheduled maintenance, three years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first) of 24-hour roadside assistance and a four-year/50,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty.


That is a remarkable value for all that content. Now circle back to the original thought---something maneuverable, easy to park on city streets, fun to drive on back roads, with 29 miles per gallon in town and 40 on the highway---the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta absolutely should be on your shopping list.