more about this model Ever since the Jetta was redesigned in 2011, we've had trouble accepting its new mission in life. Jettas of the past represented the best of European cars, more refined and better to drive than competing compact sedans. The 2017 Volkswagen Jetta is all about offering big interior for a small price, as if it were designed not for demanding drivers but for stingy warehouse-club shoppers.
To be fair, Volkswagen has made a lot of changes to the Jetta over its model run, refining the interior and replacing some of the low-cost mechanical bits with more sophisticated hardware. And when it comes to passenger and trunk space, the current Jetta trounces its predecessors, not to mention a few midsize sedans. Backseat comfort is excellent and trunk space is generous.
That said, the Jetta's cabin consists of staid styling and cheap trim bits. Lower-trim models are characterized by hard, shiny plastic, a cheap material that most automakers did away with years ago. At least the Jetta's technology is up to date, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and ? finally! ? a proper USB port in place of VW's proprietary media port (which required an expensive dealer-supplied connector to hook up a smartphone).
Base-model Jettas used to come with an ancient 2.0-liter eight-valve engine that (literally) dated from the last century, but VW has since replaced it with a slick 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at 150 horsepower. However, it's the 170-hp 1.8-liter turbo that's the real gem. You can also get a 210-hp 2.0-liter turbo engine (sourced from Volkswagen's vaunted GTI) in the sporty Jetta GLI model. EPA fuel economy estimates range from a high of 33 mpg combined (28 city/40 highway) for the 1.4T manual down to 27 mpg combined for the GLI.
As a group, Jettas are comfortable and engaging to drive, though they no longer stand head and shoulders above the competition the way the previous-generation Jetta did. And while the GLI is very quick in a straight line, its road manners lag behind those of its high-performance competitors, including Volkswagen's own GTI.
Volkswagen has simplified the Jetta lineup for 2017 by reducing the number of available options; equipment is now largely determined by trim level. The S model offers most of the creature comforts we expect in a compact sedan, while the SE adds several nice-to-have features. SEL is the luxury version of the Jetta, and the GLI stands alone as the performance-oriented model. Which is the best one to buy? Edmunds can help find the perfect 2017 Volkswagen Jetta for you.
2017 Volkswagen Jetta Overview
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 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.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 Jetta 3.8 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 2017 Jetta.
Vehicle
1.4T S 4dr Sedan (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
Review
This is the bottom of the VW line......but the top of the line for MPG. VW purchased (buyback program) my immensely competent (but EPA says incompetent) TDI. The Jetta S 5M seems a very good value - noting the end of the model year discounting. Test drive was positive. Purchased late August 2017 for less than my 1988 cost for an Acura Integra 4- cyl hatch. First refueling calc's 477.5 mostly city miles on about 12 gallons of RON 87.
See all consumer reviews and retings for the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta
Edmunds Value
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color
The 2017 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 5.0 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.
Available Volkswagen Jetta 2017 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, TDI SE w/Connectivity, 1.4T S w/Technology, TDI S, GLS 1.8T, TDI, 1.8T SEL Premium, Limited Edition PZEV, TDI SEL, 1.8T Sport, S PZEV, SE PZEV w/Connectivity, SE PZEV w/Connectivity, Navigation, Wolfsburg Edition PZEV, Value Edition, 1.8T SEL PZEV, 2.5 PZEV, GLI, Sport, Base, Value Edition , 2.0T GLI SEL PZEV, GLS TDI, 2.0T, GLI SE PZEV, GLX VR6, SE w/Connectivity, SportWagen S PZEV, GL TDI, GLS PZEV, SE w/Connectivity, Navigation, SportWagen SE, SportWagen SE PZEV, 1.4T SE w/Connectivity, 2.0T GLI SEL, GLI 1.8T, Limited Edition, SEL Premium PZEV, SportWagen S, 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, Beige, Titan Black velour, 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, 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
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
