Is the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta a good car?
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2015 Jetta featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
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How do people like the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2015 Jetta 3.5 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2015 Jetta.
Review
My wife was in need of a car, and we had 7 days to car shop. She insisted on a manual transmission. We looked at the Accord Sport (excellent car, a bit to big for her taste), Mazda 3 with the base engine (anemic/cheap) and a Subaru WRX (amazing). We already have a BRZ, so we decided the extra expense of the WRX was unnecessary. There were only two 1.8TSI 5 speed cars in Houston at the time, and the first one I test drove was already purchased when I came back a second time to buy. The second test drive sold me on the car. The engine has a beefy flat torque curve, and it's probably underrated. It can produce "neck snapping" torque that can move the car to where you want it. The car does not come with a TC off button. Surprisingly, with aggressive driving in low speed sharp turns, the traction control allows for an appropriate amount of wheel spin to get you around quickly, and the corrections don't slow you down too much. Its rare that you find 15" wheels on a new car, and I greatly appreciate them. They do well on rough roads, and overall comfort. The 15" wheels also fit more than adequate brakes. Up there with the brilliant engine is a phenomenal suspension. There is very little slop in the suspension, and it is tuned well. It's extremely comfortable and can handle rough terrain like a champ. Another thing it does well is maintain stability through high speed corners. It hunkers down and there is a good amount of grip, and it can be driven smoothly at a nice pace. Compared to Japanese/Korean luxury cars I have recently driven, I prefer the Jetta's suspension, and for that matter, the over all comfort. The cabin is vault like. The only thing lacking in this base model is the front seats. I find there is not enough lumbar support, and sometimes when I'm moving about, the construction of the seats feels cheap. On the positive side, the fabric is durable and the heaters work well. The clutch on this car is pretty light, and I'm not sure if its a VW thing, but it feels weak. It doesn't grab as well as the sports cars I have driven. It has hill start assist which is helpful, but on a big hill, I find myself using twice as much clutch as I need to use in my BRZ. The gear shift has a vague feeling to it, but once you hit gear, there is a bit of a satisfying engagement. I have probably shifted into 3rd instead of 1st about 5 times over the past two years, and stalled, easy to do with the "light" clutch. The overall value is questionable. I think the trade in value is around $12,000, and I paid $18,000 OTD interest free. Still, at that price, I don't think the power, and overall quality feel of this car can be matched. Not considering the new Civic, which was not available at the time of purchase. But with max torque across the board, this sleeper is a blast to drive, and you can surprise some big bad wolves for a 1/2 a second. This is a sub 7 second 0-60 vehicle. I'm hoping to keep this for 100,000 miles or more, but I will probably tire of the manual transmission in traffic. We have achieved 43 mpg on a tank of gas on the highways traveling 75 mph+ (wife was driving). In town I believe it gets somewhere above 30 mpg. With just me city driving on a tank, I returned 27 mpg, but I stay in the boost. It's addicting.
See all consumer reviews and retings for the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta
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Is the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta safe?
The 2015 Volkswagen Jetta earned a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and "GOOD" ratings from the IIHS in the following caregories: Side Impact Test, Roof Strength Test, Rear Crash Protection/Head Restraint, IIHS Small Overlap Front Test Results, Moderate Overlap Front Test Results, and a JD POWER overall quality rating of 2.5 out of 5. Among Edmunds' many tools and resources for finding your perfect car are detailed safety ratings and analysis from NHTSA, IIHS, and JD Power, including overall ratings, frontal barrier crash ratings, side impact tests and crash ratings, rollover test results, roof strength tests, rear crash protection and head restraint ratings, side barrier ratings, combined side barrier and pole ratings, and more.
What options are available on the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta?
Available Volkswagen Jetta 2015 Submodel Types: Sedan, 2.0T GLI, Diesel, Wagon, 2.0T GLI SEL PZEV, GLI SE PZEV, 2.0T GLI SEL, 2.0T GLI SE PZEV
Available Trims: SE PZEV, 1.4T S, S, 1.4T SE, 2.0T GLI, 1.8T SEL, SE, 2.5, SEL PZEV, GLS, Wolfsburg Edition, S w/Technology, 1.8T Sport PZEV, GL, SEL, 1.4T S w/Technology, TDI S, SE PZEV w/Connectivity, TDI SE w/Connectivity, GLS 1.8T, SE PZEV w/Connectivity, Navigation, TDI, 1.8T SEL Premium, S PZEV, Limited Edition PZEV, Wolfsburg Edition PZEV, Value Edition, 1.8T SEL PZEV, 1.8T Sport, 2.5 PZEV, GLI, Sport, TDI SEL, Base, GLS TDI, Value Edition , 2.0T, 2.0T GLI SEL PZEV, GLI SE PZEV, SE w/Connectivity, SportWagen S PZEV, GL TDI, GLS PZEV, GLX VR6, SE w/Connectivity, Navigation, SportWagen SE, 1.4T SE w/Connectivity, 2.0T GLI SEL, GLI 1.8T, Limited Edition, SEL Premium PZEV, SportWagen S, SportWagen SE PZEV, Value Edition PZEV, 2.0T GLI SE PZEV, Base PZEV, GL (1999.5), GL PZEV, GLI VR6, GLS TDi, GLS VR6
Exterior Colors: Pure White, Platinum Gray Metallic, Black Uni, Black, Reflex Silver Metallic, White Silver Metallic, Silk Blue Metallic, Tornado Red, Candy White, Tempest Blue Metallic, Cardinal Red Metallic, Moonrock Silver Metallic, Toffee Brown Metallic, Platinum Gray, Deep Black Pearl, Blue Graphite Metallic, Campanella White, Reflex Silver, Salsa Red, Dark Bronze Metallic, White Gold Metallic, Cool White, Shadow Blue, Wheat Beige, Alaska Green Metallic, Blue Graphite, Galactic Blue Metallic, Silver Arrow, Silver Arrow Metallic, Atlantic Blue, Baltic Green Pearl, Blue Lagoon Metallic, Galactic Blue, Laser Blue Metallic, Spice Red, Wheat Beige Metallic, Alaska Green, Arctic Blue Silver, Bright Green Pearl, Galactic Blue Pearl, Shadow Blue Metallic, Speed Blue
Interior Colors: Titan Black leatherette, Titan Black cloth, Titan Black/Palladium Gray cloth, Cornsilk Beige leatherette, Black/Ceramique leatherette, Gray, Anthracite leatherette, Black, Latte Macchiato cloth, Art Gray leatherette, Pure Beige leatherette, Ceramique (Gray) cloth, Anthracite velour, Titan Black velour, Beige, Anthracite leather, Gray leather, Art Gray velour, Titan Black/Carbon leatherette, Anthracite cloth, Art Gray cloth, Beige/Black leatherette, Anthracite, Black cloth, Cornsilk leatherette, Pure Beige, Black/Gray, Gray leatherette, Pure Beige leather
Popular Features: Fold Flat Rear Seats, Rear Bench Seats, Stability Control, Tire Pressure Warning, Post-collision safety system, Aux Audio Inputs, Trip Computer, Bluetooth, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Heated seats, Back-up camera, USB Inputs, Sunroof/Moonroof, Power Driver Seat, Keyless Entry/Start, Blind Spot Monitoring, Alarm, Navigation, Auto Climate Control, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, Parking sensors, Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-collision safety system, Upgraded Headlights, Leather Seats
Engine/Mechanics: 4, 5, 6 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC, MANUAL, AUTOMATED_MANUAL
Fuel Types: regular unleaded, premium unleaded (recommended), diesel, premium unleaded (required)
Drivetrains: front wheel drive
