The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta receives a multitude of upgrades that should help it be a more compelling pick among other top small sedans including the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte and Mazda 3. Highlights for the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta include revised exterior styling (courtesy of new bumpers and a new grille), a more powerful engine, a simplified trim level structure, and an expanded set of standard tech features.
Last year's Jetta had a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine good for 147 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. That's a decent output for a small sedan, but it results in unremarkable acceleration. At Edmunds' test track, we clocked a Jetta from 0 to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds. For comparison, a new Civic we tested, with its optional turbocharged engine, reached 60 mph a half-second quicker. The 2022 Jetta gets a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine good for 158 hp, and the hope is that it'll quicken the pace a little.
You'll also get more standard technology features on the 2022 Jetta. Now even the base S trim has advanced driver aids such as forward collision mitigation and blind-spot monitoring. A small digital gauge cluster is standard on the S trim too. A few assist features, such as traffic-adaptive cruise control, are still optional for the S, but VW makes them standard starting with the midrange SE trim. Notably, the top-line Jetta SEL now has wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which means you can integrate many of your phone's apps onto the touchscreen without having to use a USB cord.
The current-generation Jetta debuted for the 2019 model year and since then we've commented favorably on the Jetta's Audi-like styling and generally sensible demeanor. But it's also not a car that makes you think, "Wow, I've got to have one of those!" Volkswagen seems to have done right with the 2022 Jetta. The changes are unlikely to help vault the Jetta to the top of our small sedan rankings, but they will undoubtedly improve upon the car's core attributes of space, no-nonsense style and technology.
Volkswagen offers the 2022 Jetta in four trim levels: S, Sport, SE and SEL. All models are powered by a new-for-2022 turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, borrowed from the Taos SUV. It produces 158 horsepower (11 more hp than last year) and 184 lb-ft of torque and is only available with front-wheel drive. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the S and Sport trims, while all the others come with an eight-speed automatic. Feature highlights for the Jetta include:
NOTE: This video is about the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta, but since the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.
2022 Volkswagen Jetta
2022 Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is the overachieving student in this class. It was redesigned recently to give it more space, a quieter cabin and a nicer interior. The Civic manages to be affordable, comfortable and fun-to-drive all at once. It does cost a little more than the Jetta, and the turbo engine we recommend is at a higher trim, while the Jetta has a more powerful standard engine.
The Elantra is also fresh off a redesign and features a striking new look. The standard engine has less power than the Jetta and didn't impress us with its driving dynamics. Still the Elantra offers plenty of standard options, a longer warranty and a performance-oriented sibling, the Elantra N.
The Mazda 3 has plenty of style and a premium-feeling interior. It is also fun to drive and closely matches the Jetta's power in its base 2.0-liter engine. But that style and nimbleness come at the expense of a smaller cargo area and less rear legroom. Still, the Mazda 3 does offer more flexibility in its drivetrain configurations, with the choice of two more powerful engines and all-wheel drive. Read Edmunds' long-term road test of the Mazda 3.
The current-generation Jetta debuted for the 2019 model year and since then we've commented favorably on the Jetta's Audi-like styling and generally sensible demeanor. But it's also not a car that makes you think, "Wow, I've got to have one of those!"
Last year's Jetta had a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine good for 147 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. That's a decent output for a small sedan, but it results in unremarkable acceleration. At Edmunds' test track, we clocked a Jetta from 0 to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds. For comparison, a new Civic we tested, with its optional turbocharged engine, reached 60 mph a half-second quicker.
The Jetta's interior is a playful mix of analog and digital controls. We like the execution overall, but some aspects of the 2021 car — like the button layout on the steering wheel — are overly fussy. That drawback, at least, has been fixed for 2022, as the Jetta adopts the steering wheel seen in the ID.4 electric vehicle and Taos. There's a bit of a learning curve with this wheel since the controls are haptic and not individual physical buttons. But the layout is a bit more intuitive, and quickly accessing cruise and infotainment functions becomes second nature.
You'll get more standard technology features on the 2022 Jetta. Now even the base S trim has advanced driver aids such as forward collision mitigation and blind-spot monitoring. A small digital gauge cluster is standard on the S trim too. A few assist features, such as traffic-adaptive cruise control, are still optional for the S, but VW makes them standard starting with the midrange SE trim. Notably, the top-line Jetta SEL now has wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which means you can integrate many of your phone's apps onto the touchscreen without having to use a USB cord.
Edmunds saysVolkswagen seems to have done right with the 2022 Jetta. The changes are unlikely to help vault the Jetta to the top of our small sedan rankings, but they will undoubtedly enhance upon the car's core attributes of space, no-nonsense style and technology.
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta:
The least-expensive 2022 Volkswagen Jetta is the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta S 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $20,365.
Other versions include:
