2024 Volkswagen Jetta

Price Range: $21,435 - $28,825

Shop vehicle inventory at dealers near you

See other review years

2026
2025
2024

Volkswagen Jetta for Sale

Pricing

Select year

Select a type

Edmunds suggests you pay

$19,080

Prices based on sales in VA thru 3/2/26

Final assembly in Mexico

Pros

Pleasingly smooth ride
Ample storage in the cabin
Customizable digital instrument cluster lends a techy vibe

Cons

Brakes feel grabby at low speeds
Touch-sensitive steering wheel controls are tricky to use
Cabin is more plasticky than others in the class

What's new

More driver assistance features now come standard
Other minor changes to standard feature availability
Part of the seventh Jetta generation introduced in 2019

Overview

Written by automotive expert Dan Frio

3/9/2026

With the recent demise of the Passat sedan and regular Golf hatchback, the 2024 Jetta stands as Volkswagen's singular sensible car offering. It's not as popular as its Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla rivals, but extensive tech features and classy, Audi-like styling give it a bit of gravity. The Jetta's more subdued design will draw some and bore others, but it's hard to argue with the VW's value. Adding to the Jetta's appeal this year is a full suite of standard advanced driver aids. Last year's model offered only a handful.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$118/mo

$181/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

Edmunds spotlight: Advanced driver aids add value

The Jetta rolls on for 2024 largely unchanged, but with one important inclusion: the standard IQ.Drive bundle of driver assistance features. With the exception of blind-spot warning and automatic braking, most driver aids were optional on last year's model. This year, the full array comes standard, making the Jetta more competitive with its Honda, Hyundai and Mazda rivals, for a price that still falls about middle of the pack. The extra aids — when combined with a roomy cabin, ample cargo space and punchy engine — strengthen the Jetta's value. And the Jetta's even available with a manual transmission for those who still like to change their own gears — or just save a few bucks.

Competitors to consider

The Honda Civic sets the pace for small sedans with its performance and comfort, but it commands a premium. The Jetta undercuts its rival on price with similar features and roominess, but the Civic drives with a verve the Jetta can't match. The same can be said for the sporty Mazda 3, although its condensed size makes it less practical. The Toyota Corolla's high-grade interior and reliability make it a strong choice, but pokey acceleration holds it back.

2024 Volkswagen Jetta trim level differences

The 2024 Volkswagen Jetta comes in four trim levels: S, Sport, SE and SEL. There is also a sporty GLI model that we cover separately. All trims use a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine (158 horsepower, 184 lb-ft) joined to a six-speed manual (standard on the S and Sport) or an eight-speed automatic transmission. Compare the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta trim levels in-depth.

Which Jetta trim does Edmunds recommend?

The Jetta's midlevel SE trim is a good pick for value. It comes standard with some desirable extras such as synthetic leather upholstery and heated front seats, all for not much more than the base trim. But also consider the top SEL trim if it fits in your budget. It's still priced competitively for a small sedan and comes loaded with features.

Save as much as $4,603 with Edmunds

2024 Volkswagen Jetta pricing in Ashburn, VA

Edmunds suggests you pay

Build & Price

Volkswagen Jetta Reviews

Owner Reviews

3.7

34 reviews

5(50%)

4(11%)

3(9%)

2(17%)

1(13%)

Owners Say

The overall sentiment about the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta is mixed. Many owners like its fuel efficiency, comfortable ride, and stylish design, especially given its price. However, numerous complaints about reliability issues and frequent trips to the repair shop have left some owners frustrated. Other downsides mentioned include lack of features like a spare tire, basic audio system, and some mechanical problems.

This summary is AI-generated from the text of owner reviews

See all 34 reviews of the Volkswagen Jetta

Write a vehicle review

Most Helpful Owner Review

Excellent value for the price

Thomas P, 05/27/2022

2022 Volkswagen Jetta Sport 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

I owned a 2017 Jetta S manual and recently purchased a 2022 Jetta Sport manual. The upgrades are significant in the '22. The seats are more comfortable and much more attractive. The 1.5L turbo has more punch, and the six speed manual is among the smoothest I've ever driven (and I have owned numerous standard transmission cars over 30 years of driving). The optional Driver Assistance … package is an awesome addition for the price. The autonomous cruise works well, leather steering wheel/shifter add some fit and finish, and knowing the car is equipped with emergency braking technology offers peace of mind. The best accident is the one you avoid. I've filled the tank twice in this car. My first tank was a mix of city/highway, and I managed 37.9 mpg. The second tank of mostly highway driving surpassed 41 mpgs. My 17 Jetta would manage nearly 50 mpgs on long highway trips, and I have no doubt this new drivetrain will manage the same once broken in. Outstanding efficiency. There are some basic plastics inside, and the car has an underwhelming radio. It doesn't have satellite radio unless you buy the top trim, and I think that's a meaningful omission and marketing mistake. That should be standard equipment, or at a minimum optional on any trim other than the base model. It's my only complaint. All in all, it's a far-improved car over the past five model years. Noticeable improvement in the interior with digital instrumentation, seats, standard technology. The car has grown a few inches to really ride the line between a compact and midsize, which I really appreciate at the compact price. Massive trunk. While nobody will confuse the car with an Audi, it definitely is a handsome vehicle for the pedestrian price point. I definitely recommend the Sport model over the S for the small price increase. It meaningfully changes the presence of the automobile, both inside and out. Is this a swanky car? Of course not. This is a bargain purchase. But VWs are safe, extremely efficient, feel well-built inside and out, and my 17 caused me zero mechanical or reliability issues in the five years I owned it. Nothing broke on the car at all, nothing required unexpected service. It's what brought me back for another quality commuter vehicle. We have a much more expensive family SUV which shares our garage with the Jetta. The Jetta is the better value for the purchase price, as long as you have reasonable expectations for what you're purchasing. I would definitely recommend the brand and the vehicle far and away above any other competitive product other than the Honda Civic. That's a great car, too, and a comparable product. Between the two, I would argue it comes down to aesthetic preferences, but this car deserves far more accolades than it seems to be receiving.

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta, so we've included review for other years of the Jetta since its last redesign.

Helpful shopping links

2024 Volkswagen Jetta video

These Are the Cheapest New Cars & SUVs on Sale Today | Top 10 Least Expensive New Cars for 2023

NOTE: This video is about the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta, but since the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.

New cars these days are expensive, to say the least — the average price of a new car is currently standing at almost $50,000 — and trying to find something less expensive can feel like a daunting task. Fortunately, though, there are still a decent number of cheaper new cars available, and we're here to help you find them. Edmunds' Lauren McCay takes you through the top 10…

2024 Volkswagen Jetta Features & Specs

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$21,435
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	34 MPG
Cost to Drive	$118/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	14.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Reliability

The 2024 Volkswagen Jetta has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and no recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, ranks it #25 out of 46 among Compact Cars.

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

There are no recalls for the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta

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

Compare the Volkswagen Jetta

Volkswagen Jetta
Compare
Honda Civic
Compare
Hyundai Elantra
Compare
Add any vehicle to compare

Compare selected vehicles

Volkswagen Jetta vs. Honda Civic

The Honda Civic boasts a sporty character, a roomy interior and high fuel economy. It sets the bar for its class, so much so that it's our Edmunds top-rated small sedan. But it does cost more than the Jetta, especially in its higher trim levels with the turbo engine. The Jetta comes with a more powerful standard engine.

Compare Volkswagen Jetta & Honda Civic features

Volkswagen Jetta vs. Hyundai Elantra

Compared to the conservatively styled Jetta, the Elantra stands out with its angular lines and sporty look. The Elantra also offers plenty of standard features, a longer warranty, a slightly roomier rear seat and even a hybrid version for greater efficiency. On the downside, its acceleration isn't as quick as the Jetta's.

Compare Volkswagen Jetta & Hyundai Elantra features

Volkswagen Jetta vs. Mazda 3

In contrast to the Jetta, the Mazda 3 offers distinct, eye-catching style and a sporty driving character. The refined interior is also more than you'd expect in a compact sedan. The Mazda also offers a powerful turbocharged engine upgrade and all-wheel drive. That performance comes at the expense of smaller trunk space and smaller back seat, however. The Jetta is roomier and more practical. For more about the Mazda 3, read Edmunds' long-term road test of the Mazda 3.

Compare Volkswagen Jetta & Mazda 3 features

Safety

Our experts’ favorite Jetta safety features:

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 5 out of 5 stars

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating	Rating
Overall	4 / 5
Driver	4 / 5
Passenger	4 / 5
Side Crash Rating	Rating
Overall	5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating	Rating
Overall	5 / 5
Driver	5 / 5
Passenger	5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings	Rating
Front Seat	5 / 5
Back Seat	5 / 5
Rollover	Rating
Rollover	4 / 5
Dynamic Test Result	No Tip
Risk Of Rollover	13%

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	Poor
Side Impact Test – Original	Good
Side Impact Test – Updated	Acceptable
Roof Strength Test	Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint	Good

FAQ

Is the Volkswagen Jetta a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2024 Jetta both on the road and at the track. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2024 Jetta gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 34 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Jetta has 14.1 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Volkswagen Jetta. Learn more

What's new in the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta:

More driver assistance features now come standard
Other minor changes to standard feature availability
Part of the seventh Jetta generation introduced in 2019

Learn more

Is the Volkswagen Jetta reliable?

To determine whether the Volkswagen Jetta is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Jetta. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Jetta's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta is a good car. Our consumer reviews show that the 2024 Jetta gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 34 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2024 Jetta is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2024 Volkswagen Jetta?

The least-expensive 2024 Volkswagen Jetta is the 2024 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 $21,435.

Other versions include:

S 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M) which starts at $21,435
S 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $22,235
Sport 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M) which starts at $22,585
Sport 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $23,385
SE 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $24,875
SEL 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $28,825