The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta remains the only European compact sedan available in the US not wearing a luxury-brand badge. With heavy influence from Audi, the Jetta gives budget-minded consumers a way to enjoy European styling, performance, and features at a price comparable to Japanese and Korean alternatives. We don’t mention domestic because, for the most part, Ford, GM, and Chrysler have abandoned the compact and midsize car market.
The base engine for all Jetta trims is a 158-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, while the Jetta GLI gets a 228-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged upgrade. A 6-speed manual is standard across the line, with an 8-speed automatic optional on the Jetta and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) on the GLI.
Our quick take on the new 1.5-liter engine: It’s smoother and a bit more relaxed than the previous 1.4, but slightly more fuel-efficient. As a good blend of power and efficiency, the engine feels right at home in the new Jetta, whose smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission profits from a traditional PRNDL shift lever on the center console.
Impressively, all 1.5-liter Jettas (manual or automatic) are rated by the EPA at more than 40 mpg on the highway. The powerful Jetta GLI does nearly as well, with EPA highway ratings of 37 mpg (manual) or 36 mpg (dual-clutch automatic).
2022 Volkswagen Jetta S (Starting at $20,195)
The most basic Jetta is simple but complete. It features most of the basics required of a small family sedan but offers more interior and trunk volume than you’d expect from a car labeled “compact.”
The Jetta S comes with low-speed forward-collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic alert. However, if you want systems such as automatic enhanced blind-spot detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist, you’ll have to check off the IQ.Drive option.
Automatic transmission models equipped with IQ.Drive go a step further with Emergency Assist. This system can steer and slow the vehicle to a stop if it detects the driver is no longer providing input (think medical emergency while driving).
The Jetta S comes standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights, power heated side mirrors, power windows, and door locks, plus keyless entry with alarm.
Inside the Jetta S, you’ll find manually operated cloth front seats, manual air conditioning, tilt-telescoping steering wheel with controls for cruise, Bluetooth, and audio, plus a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. An 8-inch Digital Cockpit replaces last year’s analog gauges.
The Jetta’s infotainment system includes a touchscreen system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration and can host a Wi-Fi hot spot (subscription service required). The display plays home to the rear backup camera whenever the vehicle gets placed into reverse.
With the $995 destination fee, the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta S costs $21,190. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment comes to $381. See 2022 Volkswagen Jetta S models for sale
2022 Volkswagen Jetta S Includes:
- Digital Cockpit – Once reserved for high-end models, the standard 8-inch digital instrument cluster looks fantastic and is configurable for various functions.
- App-Connect – Allows smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
- Blind-spot monitor – Alerts the driver with a visual and audible warning when another vehicle is driving in the Jetta’s blind spot.
- Heated side mirrors – Help keep ice and snow from building up on the exterior mirrors.
2022 Volkswagen Jetta Sport ($21,095)
The Jetta Sport replaces last year’s R-Line, bringing a sportier look and feel to the base Jetta S, but no additional power.
The Jetta Sport replaces most of the Jetta’s exterior chrome with blacked-out trim. The grille and mirror caps also get the black treatment. 17-inch alloy wheels are standard, as is an XDS electronic locking differential and a sport suspension.
Inside, the Sport gets unique cloth seats, a black headliner, and a few more visual styling cues.
With destination, the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta Sport will likely sell for around $22,090. On a 60-month loan at 3% and zero down, the Sport’s monthly payment should come in at about $397. See 2022 Volkswagen Jetta Sport models for sale
2022 Volkswagen Jetta Sport includes:
- 17-inch alloy wheels – They look sporty and, with larger tires, provide better grip during aggressive cornering maneuvers.
- Sport cloth seats – This GLI-like cloth has a pleasing two-color effect perfectly suited to the Sport’s mission.
- XDS differential – This electronic locking differential helps limit wheel spin and control understeer typically found with front-drive cars.
- Blacked-out exterior trim – Makes the Sport look less like the base S and more like the racy GLI.
2022 Volkswagen Jetta SE ($23,795)
The SE ups the base model’s game, adding 17-inch alloy wheels, KESSY proximity keyless access with pushbutton start, leatherette seating surfaces, and the contents of the IQ.Drive system.
Also standard are heated front seats, a 6-way power driver’s seat, and dual-zone automatic climate control.
Optional equipment for the SE includes a power sunroof and 17-inch black alloy wheels.
With the $995 destination, the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta SE costs $24,790. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and with zero down, you can expect the monthly payment to be around $445. See 2022 Volkswagen Jetta SE models for sale
2022 Volkswagen Jetta SE Includes:
- Six-way power driver’s seat – Requires no effort to find the perfect driving position and includes lumbar support to keep your back from getting fatigued on long drives.
- Heated front seats – Help quickly warm occupants when the temperature outside gets chilly.
- Dual-zone automatic climate control – Allows driver and passenger to find and set the perfect temperature.
- KESSY – Unlocks the driver and passenger door simply by approaching the car with the key fob in your pocket. Once inside, a pushbutton starter brings the engine to life.
2022 Volkswagen Jetta SEL ($27,995)
The SEL is the luxury Jetta, adding to the SE trim features with such upgrades as a 10-inch Digital Cockpit Pro, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, a wireless charging pad, and a power sunroof.
The MIB3 infotainment system touts a larger 8-inch touchscreen, BeatsAudio sound system, and navigation. Heated and ventilated front seats are standard, wrapped in natural leather upholstery, 10-color ambient lighting, and automatic high-beam headlights.
With the $995 destination fee, the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta SEL should come in around $28,990. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment works out to about $521. See 2022 Volkswagen Jetta SEL models for sale
2022 Volkswagen Jetta SEL Includes:
- Power sunroof – Allows more light into the cabin and can be vented or fully opened depending on your fresh-air needs.
- MIB3 – This impressive touchscreen infotainment upgrade is quick, easy to use, and includes navigation and wireless smartphone integration.
- Heated and ventilated front seats – Keep occupants comfortable year-round.
- Automatic high-beam headlights – Sense oncoming traffic and automatically dim, then re-engage the high beams when the coast is clear.
2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI ($30,995)
The GLI is the performance Jetta, like a GTI but with a trunk. It receives significant improvements over the Jetta, starting under the hood, where you’ll find a 228-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter engine paired with either a 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch automatic.
The GLI gets a more aggressive look, with more detail around the grille and lower bumper. The rear bumper includes cutouts for the dual-exhaust tips. 18-inch inch alloy wheels are standard, with black 18-inch alloy wheels optional. Automatic high-beam headlights come standard, as do the contents of the IQ.Drive suite.
The GLI includes perforated leather sport seats with a red underlay pattern, a new flat-bottom sport steering wheel with haptic touch controls instead of hard buttons, and illuminated door sills.
Also standard are heated and ventilated front seats, KESSY proximity key entry and start, a heated steering wheel, the 10-inch Cockpit Pro cluster, 10-color ambient lighting, a wireless charging pad, and BeatsAudio.
The GLI gets enhancements to its brakes and electronic locking differential and adds a multi-link rear suspension and DCC adaptive damping shocks. A Drive Mode Select system allows the driver to choose various settings that influence throttle, shift points (automatic), and steering.
With the $995 destination fee, the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI should sell for $31,990. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment works out to $575. See 2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI models for sale
2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Includes:
- DCC – Adaptive damping suspension adjusts the shocks to varying road conditions, improving ride comfort and handling.
- 2.0-liter turbocharged engine – Strikes the perfect balance between good fuel economy and excellent performance.
- Haptic touch steering wheel – Replaces hard buttons with backlit touchpads and slider control for audio volume.
- Golf R brakes – These heavy-duty disc brakes borrowed from the Golf R significantly improve stopping power.
