Used 2016 Volkswagen Jetta Consumer Reviews
Used Jetta for sale
Six Week Review -- 2016 VW Jetta 1.8T Sport
Daniel, 08/08/2016
2016 Volkswagen Jetta 1.8T Sport PZEV 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
9 of 11 people found this review helpful
We have owned several VW products and multiple Jettas -- traded in the 2006 VW Jetta TDI with 105K miles for a new 2016 VW Jetta 1.8T Sport (diesel for gasoline). Our 2006 was before "DieselGate" so we weren't in the running for a VAG payout or buyback...Let's first discuss pricing -- strategically, I worked this "deal" for over a month, wanting to wait until VW publicly announced the $$$ for their DieselGate settlement; we closed the day after their announcement, and there was no one in the dealership...I had purchased from this same dealership before, so we had that going for us as well. To make a long story short, the week on July 4th, the MSRP (about $24.5K) was discounted about $6,500 and we pounced. They gave a decent trade allowance and were able to purchase a brand new Jetta for about $16.2K -- remember that the Jetta 1.8T Sport is loaded except for the Light Package, so we are very pleased. Compared to the 2006 TDI, the 2016 1.8T Sport has a much more smooth ride (sport suspension) along with softer interior plastics...no more leaky sunroof from the 2006 TDI...the audio and communications are extremely updated versus the 2006 TDI (which didn't even come with an aux jack...) I'm well aware of the potential issues - replaced the dual mass flywheel on the 2006 TDI's DSG transmission, replaced the refrigerant control value on the 2006 TDI, and ignored the 2006 TDI headliner issue. But the 2016 1.8T has some "maintenance" improvements -- for example, in order for me to change 2006 TDI's headlamp bulbs, I had to remove the entire front bumper/grille in order to access the light assemblies (no room for your hand inside the engine compartment...); now, on the 1.8T, I can easily reach and twist!!! The 2 biggest cons (I really don't care at all) between the 2006 TDI and the 2016 1.8T Sport is (1) trunk clearance, which the 2006 wins with its large opening, and (2) fuel consumption, with the obvious 2006 diesel beating the 2016 1.8T gasser (but the gasser runs on regular unleaded so that's a plus...)
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Great to lease, would not buy
Craig, 01/23/2019
2016 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0T GLI SEL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
My wife and I leased two Volkswagens around the same time in late 2016. I got the GLI SEL and she got the Tiguan Wolfsburg Edition. Both have 30k miles and both have been reliable, but the GLI is not aging as well as the Tiguan. The steering wheel looks very worn and almost sun damaged, despite being garage kept and using a sun shade when not in the garage. There are rattles coming from behind the instrument cluster as well as from the glove box lid. The stock tires started making a TON of noise at 20k miles but do have plenty of tread left. Besides that the car has been fine and I feel that the deal i got on the lease (3 years, 15k miles a year, $209 a month) was worth what I got in return. I do not plan to buy the car out at the end of the lease. Pros: The DSG transmission is a ton of fun compared to a normal automatic. The headlights on the SEL model are great. Fender stereo system sounds awesome. Gas mileage is respectable. No un-expected repairs so far. Warranty is awesome - 6 years/100,000 miles. Styling is more timeless than some competitors (civic si for example). If you're into it, the Volkswagen community is awesome. Tons of car shows and meets focused on VW. Cons: DSG transmission requires a service every 40k miles which the dealership quoted me $650-$700 to complete. Engine could easily be a lot more powerful. 2.0T with 210 hp and 207 lb.-ft. torque is hardly pushing the limits of what is possible. Easily tune-able but run risk of voiding the warranty. Interior showed signs of aging a lot quicker than our other Volkswagen which has the same mileage and subject to the exact same conditions.
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2016 Volkswagen Jetta for sale near you
Showing 3 of 63 listings
- 2.0T GLI SEL PZEV SedanMSRP: $10,69910 mi away
- 1.4T SE w/Connectivity SedanMSRP: $8,69519 mi away
- 1.4T SE SedanMSRP: $7,94517 mi away
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Excellent car: minor nits but overall suprised
TonyB, 10/12/2016
updated 10/12/2017
2016 Volkswagen Jetta 1.8T Sport PZEV 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
18 month update- still agree with my review, although wheel alignments seem to go pretty easily. Absolutely excellent car. Purchased the 1.8T Sport with LED headlight package for $17900. An absolutely excellent deal as it looks like a much more expensive car than it actually is and goes for about the same price as a Corolla. It comes loaded with a lot of bells and whistles. Off the lot it comes with an impressive SAT/NAV/Bluetooth Infotainment system that works in all of North America, not just the lower 48. It also came with push button start and heated imitation leather seats that are quite comfortable and look great. It is quite zippy and accelerates quickly and comfortably, perfect for negotiating stop and go city traffic. The "sport tuned" exhaust is great as it gives you a little bit of throatiness when the gas is punched down but is otherwise incredibly quiet. When idle the car sounds like it's off. I think it is a PZEV but it is not marketed as such. I would struggle to call this a "compact" as it actually fits four adults quite well- in another market it would likely be called a mid size. For long highway drives it's perfect as the seats and climate controls keep the cabin comfy. It also gets just under 40mpg highway (I average around 39.2)- on regular gas. My only nits are- while very comfortable, the imitation leather seats do not breath well. Wet bathing suit? Sweaty? You're going to have a hard time... This car is also pretty low to the ground. Not great if you are older or need to go on dirt roads. Finally- while not really a negative- the Infotainment Computer can be very complicated at first and extremely dangerous to fiddle with while driving. I recommend spending about an hour or so in your driveway to fiddle with it first to get used to it before driving. This car is definitely meant for an urban professional millennial. Someone who wants something sporty, yet responsible. I have had it for 18 months and am incredibly pleased so far.
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Reliable and running great
Vincent, 05/22/2016
updated 08/06/2021
2016 Volkswagen Jetta 1.8T SEL 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Approaching 70,000 trouble free miles on my 2016 VW Jetta SEL 1.8T. Granted I baby this car. Oil changes every 5,000. New coolant and transmission fluids at 50,000. New plugs at 45,000. I average 35MPG per the computer. Oh heck yes I would recommend a Jetta.
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Love My Jetta!
Christina Dresen, 10/28/2016
2016 Volkswagen Jetta 1.4T SE 4dr Sedan (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I love my Jetta! I never cared much about a vehicle besides it's dependability to get me back and forth to work and my kids to school. This car is a great smooth ride. For being a compact car, it feels extremely roomy. Anyone that has ridden in the back seat has commented on how much room they have for their legs. The trunk is incredibly spacious. The only problem I have is that the ride is so smooth that I often don't watch my speed and that turbo is fast! Of course that is user error! I love the turbo engine for getting on the freeway. I also think that the sight lines are great in this car. Some of the other compact cars that I had driven had smaller windows and I felt somewhat claustrophobic. Extremely satisfied with this car!
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