2020 Volkswagen Jetta Review

Name: 2020 Volkswagen Jetta
Brand: Volkswagen

Price Range: $8,493 - $22,590

2020 Volkswagen Jetta 1.4T R-Line ULEV Sedan Exterior

Average

7.4

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The 2020 Jetta is practical and competent. It also looks good. But don't expect to discover any hidden depths. The Jetta isn't exceptional enough to claim the top spot on its mundane merits.

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6 Offers Near Columbus, OH

Check out current offers on the Volkswagen Jetta

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Starting MSRP of $23,995 for a 2026 Jetta S 1.5L TSI® with 8-speed automatic transmission. Prices exclude destination, taxes, title, other options, and dealer charges. Dealer sets actual price.

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Average price: $17,186

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Appraise My Volkswagen Jetta

Build & Price

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Volkswagen Jetta model years

Volkswagen Jetta for Sale

Pros

Pleasingly smooth ride
Ample storage inside the cabin

Cons

Brakes feel grabby at low speeds
Steering wheel controls take some getting used to
Cabin is more plasticky than others in the class

What's new

Now standard with VW's Car-Net communications app
SEL and SEL Premium add standard wireless device charging
Six-speed manual transmission standard on R-Line trims
Part of the seventh Jetta generation introduced for 2019

Overview

Written by automotive expert Cameron Rogers

4/14/2020

The Volkswagen Jetta was once the go-to choice for shoppers looking for a small sedan with charisma and a distinctive upscale German vibe. Though recent models got lost in the weeds as VW cut costs, the current-generation Jetta has gotten some of its mojo back. Redesigned last year, the Volkswagen Jetta packs plenty of technology features and brings some much-needed style to the compact class.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Columbus, OH

38 listings

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New Listing
2020 Volkswagen Jetta
SEL ULEV Sedan
$19,990
- 59,816 miles
- 30 City / 40 Hwy MPG
- 9 mi away
- Home delivery*
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Upgraded Headlights
Close
Located in Columbus, OH
At Carvana, we go miles beyond the extra mile. That's why we provide you with a convenient, fast, and hassle-free car buying experience that puts you ...
Features and Specs:
34 Combined MPG (30 City/40 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
3VWEB7BU0LM058357
Stock:
2004932414
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
Listed since:
06-10-2026
New Listing
2020 Volkswagen Jetta
R-Line ULEV Sedan
$14,943
fair price
$587 above market
- 87,926 miles
- 30 City / 40 Hwy MPG
- 16 mi away
- Home delivery*
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Upgraded Headlights
Close
Located in Columbus, OH
*Seller Notes and Disclaimer:**RECALL NOTICE:* Some vehicles offered for sale may be subject to unrepaired manufacturer safety recalls. To determine t...
Features and Specs:
34 Combined MPG (30 City/40 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
3VWCB7BU9LM077139
Stock:
Y6831
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
Listed since:
06-09-2026

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Even though the Jetta is Volkswagen's least expensive vehicle, the influence from corporate luxury sibling Audi is evident. The exterior design recalls the Audi A3, for instance, and the Jetta's available Digital Cockpit instrument panel first debuted as the Virtual Cockpit in the Audi TT sports car. The Jetta also offers a wealth of advanced driving aids. Although they are not standard equipment, their operation feels more natural compared to the driver's aids on the Jetta's primary rivals.

Unfortunately, the Volkswagen Jetta no longer offers a top-notch cabin or engine, and competitors have stepped in to fill the void. The Honda Civic is roomier and more powerful, for instance, while the Mazda 3 will wow you with its near-luxury interior design. The Kia Forte also offers many of the Jetta's unusual features — such as ventilated front seats and heated rear seats — at a lower price point. But overall we're happy to see VW put more effort into this latest Jetta design.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Average

7.4

out of 10

We drove the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

7/10

How does the Jetta drive? The Jetta feels quick around town thanks to the solid torque output from the turbocharged engine at low rpm. But the engine runs out of juice if you really try winding it out. In our testing, our Jetta test car posted a mediocre 0-60 mph time of 8.4 seconds.

A panic stop from 60 mph yielded results typical for the segment, but we're not huge fans of the brakes. The pedal is soft, and response seems out of sync as you increase pressure. At low speeds, the brakes can feel quite grabby and make it hard to stop smoothly. Unlike on other small Volkswagen cars, the steering is light and rubbery.

There are some bright spots, such as the well-controlled body roll that lends the Jetta some sporty characteristics. We also like the smooth-shifting transmission, though it shifts too frequently.

Comfort

8/10

How comfortable is the Jetta? The Jetta's ride is quite good. It takes the edge off square bumps and ably absorbs larger impacts. It can feel a little bouncy over large bumps, but overall the ride quality feels premium for the class. The seats are soft, with nice cushioning and good side bolstering. However, the seat bottom is too flat, and there's little lower back support. Even worse, you won't get adjustable lumbar unless you upgrade to the highest trim.

Overall noise levels are impressively low around town, and wind noise only really manifests on the highway. The climate controls are a bit small and close together, but the system is relatively easy to use and straightforward. The Jetta is one of the only small sedans to offer ventilated front seats, which go a long way to keep the cabin cool on a hot day.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? This score suffers primarily because of some needlessly complex controls. In particular, the steering wheel controls are harder to figure out than others. Otherwise, the Jetta's cabin is a nice place to spend time, especially if you're in the driver's seat. It offers a considerable amount of height adjustment, and the steering wheel likewise has ample telescoping and tilt range.

The rear legroom is good, but headroom is merely average. Seating for a third person in back isn't the best because of the wide center console and rear hump in the center of the floor.

Technology

7.5/10

How’s the tech? While you get some nice standard features such as smartphone integration, it's really in the higher trim levels that the Jetta's tech shines. The upgraded BeatsAudio unit, for instance, is one of the best in the class. SEL and SEL Premium models feature the Digital Cockpit, a configurable digital instrument panel that looks clean and crisp.

The difference between the haves and have nots manifests again with respect to voice controls. Lower trims don't have native voice controls at all, while the system on upper trims is finicky and requires a structured syntax.

Unlike rivals, you have to pay extra for driving aids in the Jetta. Fortunately, the systems offered all work reasonably well.

Storage

8/10

How’s the storage? The Jetta has plenty of room for your stuff. Small-item storage is copious, with large door pockets all around, a tray in front of the shifter, and sizable cupholders. At 14.1 cubic feet, the trunk isn't the largest in the segment, but the space is well realized and usable. There's also a large opening behind the rear seats should you need to drop them for extra storage.

The large back seat, combined with easily accessible car-seat anchors and tethers, means that child safety seats should fit without much trouble.

Fuel Economy

6.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimate of 34 mpg combined (30 city/40 highway) is on the high end of the segment, but in real-world driving we had trouble matching that estimate. Our test Jetta averaged less than 30 mpg in mixed driving.

Value

7/10

Is the Jetta a good value? The Jetta offers an average value. Sure, higher trims have lots of equipment, but they're also priced at the top of the class and don't come with an upgraded engine. Lower trims have advantages over the base trims of competitors, but they also lack some equipment that's standard elsewhere. We're also not impressed by the underperforming real-world fuel economy.

VW's warranty is also average. Bumper-to-bumper coverage for four years/50,000 miles is longer than most, but identical coverage for the powertrain is shorter than what the majority of rivals offer. Volkswagen, though, is one of the few manufacturers that offer free maintenance, good for two years/24,000 miles.

Wildcard

6.5/10

The Jetta is a good-looking car, inside and out, and on that front it stands out in the class. But beauty is only skin-deep because underneath the Jetta feels competent but generic. There's nothing about this car that creates an identity for Volkswagen.

Build Your Volkswagen Jetta

At a Glance:

5 Colors
4 Trims
1 Package
$23,995starting MSRP

Build & Price vw.com

Starting MSRP of $23,995 for a 2026 Jetta S 1.5L TSI® with 8-speed automatic transmission. Prices exclude destination, taxes, title, other options, and dealer charges. Dealer sets actual price.

2020 Volkswagen Jetta trim level differences

The 2020 Volkswagen Jetta is a small sedan offered in five trim levels. The S is fairly bare-bones, but it does include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. The SE adds a suite of safety systems that are optional on the S, plus a few quality-of-life improvements. The R-Line is the sport-themed model, while the SEL and the SEL Premium add more luxury-oriented features. Compare the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta trim levels in-depth.

Which Jetta trim does Edmunds recommend?

If you want a Jetta with a little extra flair, the R-Line is the way to go. The R-Line includes the midlevel SE's additional features, plus upgrades unique to this trim such as black exterior trim and an electronic locking differential that helps enhance traction when accelerating quickly. If comfort is a priority, the SEL should do nicely, with its larger touchscreen, digital instrument panel, upgraded audio and additional driving aids.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$147/mo

$219/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

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Reliability

The 2020 Volkswagen Jetta has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and 6 recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, ranks it #25 out of 46 among Compact Cars. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

4 out of 5 stars4/5Above Average

#25 out of 46 among Compact Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$443/yr

vs. $416/yr
for Average Compact Car

Frequency

1.15x/yr

vs. 1.01x/yr
for Average Compact Car

Severity

9.8%

vs. 10.4%
for Average Compact Car

Recalls

6 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 24V110000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: VW: 20UF/A
Number of vehicles affected:: 261257
Defect Description:: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7 vehicles. Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.
Defect Consequence:: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are VW: 20UF/Audi: 20YF. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-647 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 16V-647.

Recall Number:: 23V604000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 28H7
Number of vehicles affected:: 47651
Defect Description:: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf Sportwagen, 2019-2020 Golf GTI, and Jetta vehicles equipped with a conventional ignition switch. The ignition switch may fail, especially in high temperature environments.
Defect Consequence:: Ignition switch failure can cause the electrical system to shut down and the engine to stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk will be mailed October 27, 2023. Owners will receive a second notice once remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 28H7.

Recall Number:: 22V815000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: AU:45J7,VW
Number of vehicles affected:: 224704
Defect Description:: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
Defect Consequence:: An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi?s customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.

Recall Number:: 21V492000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 69CK
Number of vehicles affected:: 379
Defect Description:: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Jetta and Jetta GLI vehicles. The air bag control module was welded in the incorrect position.
Defect Consequence:: Incorrect positioning of the air bag control module can cause the vehicle's air bags to deploy improperly during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, the vehicle's air bags can deploy unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 28, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69CK.

Recall Number:: 20V505000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 72L1, 72K8
Number of vehicles affected:: 4854
Defect Description:: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen ) is recalling certain 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Jetta, Jetta GLI and Tiguan and Audi Q5 and SQ5 and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. Parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster may not have been welded properly.
Defect Consequence:: In the event of a rear-end crash, the backrest adjustment could break, possibly reducing the amount of occupant restraint, thus increasing risk of injury.
Corrective Action:: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats, and, as necessary, replace the seatback frames, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 25, 2020. Volkswagen owners may contact their customer service at 1-888-241-2289. Audi owners may contact their customer service at 1-800-822-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 72L1, 72K8, and 72K9.

Recall Number:: 20V359000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 47Q2
Number of vehicles affected:: 1
Defect Description:: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling one 2020 Jetta vehicle. The front brake caliper bolts may come loose.
Defect Consequence:: If a brake caliper bolt comes loose, it may affect the vehicle's brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Volkswagen will notify the owner, and a dealer will replace all four front brake caliper bolts, free of charge. The recall began July 1, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47Q2.

Warranty

4 years / 50,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 7 years / 100,000 miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
Free maintenance Warranty: 2 years / 20,000 miles

Volkswagen Jetta Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.2

27 reviews

5(70%)

4(7%)

3(4%)

2(8%)

1(11%)

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2020 Jetta Features & Specs

Trim:

S SULEV

MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee	$18,895
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	34 MPG
Cost to Drive	$147/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	14.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Jetta models:

Blind-Spot Monitor: Alerts you with visual and audible warnings if other vehicles are in your blind spot.
Automatic Post-Collision Braking System: Applies the brakes once the airbags go off to reduce the possibility of further damage during an accident.
Forward Collision Warning: Sounds an alert when a front collision is likely and primes and applies the brakes if necessary.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover13.1%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Acceptable
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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