2005 Volkswagen Jetta Review
Price Estimate:Â $1,114 - $1,851





+58
Volkswagen Jetta model years
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Powerful turbo engines, fuel-efficient TDI power plant, fun to drive, comfortable ride, rich interior materials, loads of standard safety features, excellent crash test scores, solid build quality. Cons
Cons
- Tight rear-seat legroom and weak base four-cylinder on old model, somewhat bland styling on new Jetta.
What’s new
A completely redesigned Jetta sedan has arrived as a midyear replacement, but some versions of the previous version are still available. The GLI VR6 version of the old model was dropped from the lineup, while the GLI 1.8T added an automatic transmission to the options list.
Edmunds says
The Jetta offers a near ideal balance between ride and handling, and premium cabin materials make it one of our top recommendations to small-car buyers.
For sale near Athens, TN
23 listings
- $2,000
- 282,404 miles
- Paniagua Auto Sales II (50 mi away)
Close
Located in Dalton, GA
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary Unavailable.
Features and Specs:
Listing Information:
VIN: 3VWRT71K55M633165
Stock: 8230
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 08-12-2023 - $4,900fair price$71 below market
- 81,795 miles
- 1 accident, 2 owners, personal use
- 5cyl automatic
- Belle Auto Sales (438 mi away)
- Power Driver Seat
- Multi-Zone Climate C...
- Auto Climate Control
- Alarm
- Trip Computer
Close
Located in Elkhart, IN
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
22 Combined MPG (19 City/28 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 3VWDF71K65M600466
Stock: ED00466
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 04-26-2025
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta GL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.77 per gallon for regular unleaded in Tennessee.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Tennessee
$143/mo  for Jetta GL
Jetta GL
vs
$146/mo
Avg. Compact Car
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Volkswagen Jetta Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(65%)
4(18%)
3(11%)
2(4%)
1(2%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
7 years and counting
4 out of 5 starswalter67, 06/13/2012
2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI 4dr Wagon (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
1st owner of my 2005 Jetta Diesel, have station wagon auto trans.
Travel from North East to Florida each year, so it has avoided winter salty roads.
I've replace the timing belt at 85,000 miles to be on safe side.
Will need new rubber on my struts both normal ware.
Still have original brake pads at 90,000 miles at every oil change I expect to be told its time to change so far not … yet.
Fuel economy.... average 34 to 39 miles per gallon I can get 42 miles on a gallon if I drive at my RPM sweet spot which is 38 to 41 miles an hour, at that speed you will get the 42 per gallon.
Would I buy this vehicle again YOU BETCHA
I would.
Paid $21,5000 in Jan of 20005
Never again!!!
3.13 out of 5 starslslb40, 08/23/2011
2005 Volkswagen Jetta New 2.5 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
I have had my 2005 2.5L for 3 years now. I have had to replace the timing chain and tensioners once already. 4 months later I had to replace the tensioners again. Thank god my Husband works on VW's cause if you take it to a VW dealer to get fixed your looking at a $2,500 job and that's on the low side. Now my car has an intermittent starting problem which after days and days of research … I see that this has been a big problem for this car and several other VW car's. I have talked to a VW mechanic from a local VW dealer and he has said to get rid of the car, especially the 2.5L. He has been a VW mechanic for 35 years. Needless to say. I will never buy a VW again.
Decent investment
4.38 out of 5 starsmichman247, 02/08/2012
2005 Volkswagen Jetta GL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
I bought this car used, 2.0l, 5 speed manual, with under 95k miles. So far I haven't had any problems and it runs great. Overall, the exterior and interior are fine, nothing to brag about although it is a little snug in the back. The car handles well, the power is what you'd expect out of a 4 cylinder, 1st gear is almost worthless. As far as maintenance is concerned, I can do most of the … basics easily but the more advanced fixes are not cheap. If you can find one that had the timing belt, water pump, tensioner and etc changed recently then you'll save yourself a couple hundred dollars. If I had the choice again, I'd probably purchase another VW.
Very disappointed
3.13 out of 5 starsElise, 01/26/2010
2005 Volkswagen Jetta New 2.5 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
My 2005 Jetta has 87000 miles, is serviced regularly, but now I have to get a new car. The timing chain, gears, spark plugs, and coil pack supposedly all went out last week and to fix it would be $3700 according to the dealership. While I have loved the design and the drive, it just isn't worth it. The worst part is they only offered me $1500 for a trade in. Why would I want another … VW if that is all they think it is worth? I'll be getting a Toyota this weekend.
2005 Jetta Highlights
Sedan
GL
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $17,680 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 24 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $143/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 13.0 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Jetta include:
- Alarm
- Stability Control
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
People who viewed this also viewed
4.3 average Rating out of 24 reviews. |
Starting at $24,250 |
5.0 average Rating out of 2 reviews. |
Starting at $32,715 |
5.0 average Rating out of 1 reviews. |
Starting at $23,950 |
Related Used 2005 Volkswagen Jetta info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Chrysler 300 2021 Review
- Acura RLX 2020 Review
- Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2020 Review
- Jaguar I Pace 2020 Review
- Mercedes Benz GLC Class Coupe 2021 Review
Shop similar models
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Volkswagen GLI 2013
- Used Volkswagen GLI 2020
- Used Volkswagen GLI 2022
- Used Volkswagen GLI 2023 For Sale
- Used Volkswagen Jetta 2010
- Used Volkswagen Jetta 2011
- Used Volkswagen Jetta 2012
- Used Volkswagen Jetta 2013
- Used Volkswagen Jetta 2014
- Used Volkswagen Jetta 2015 For Sale
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2024 Enclave
- New Lexus RX
- 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
- 2024 Sierra 2500HD
- 2025 Ford Transit Passenger Van
- 2026 Honda Accord News
- 2026 Honda CR-V News
- 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid News
- 2024 Kia Forte
- New Land Rover Range Rover
Research other models of Volkswagen
- New Volkswagen ID. Buzz
- New Volkswagen Atlas
- 2025 Volkswagen Taos
- 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan
- 2024 Golf GTI
- 2025 Volkswagen Jetta
- 2025 Volkswagen ID.4
- 2025 Atlas Cross Sport
- Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport 2024
- 2025 Jetta GLI