- Pleasingly smooth ride
- Ample storage in the cabin
- Customizable digital instrument cluster lends a techy vibe
- Brakes feel grabby at low speeds
- Steering wheel controls take some getting used to
- Cabin is more plasticky than others in the class
- New, more powerful engine
- Updated styling
- Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster is now standard
- New standard safety features
- Part of the seventh Jetta generation introduced for 2019
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.
Which Jetta does Edmunds recommend?
Volkswagen Jetta models
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:
The Jetta line kicks off with this basic model and this equipment:
- LED headlights
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- 6.5-inch touchscreen
- Two USB ports
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
- Four-speaker sound system
- Digital instrument cluster (8-inch display)
- Volkswagen Car-Net mobile app with remote start, door locking/unlocking, parked location finder and other functions
The S also comes with standard advanced driver aids that include:
- Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
- Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Volkswagen offers an affordable IQ.Drive package for the S trim models with the automatic transmission. It adds to the car's standard driver aids with:
- Active blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot and can add steering assistance to discourage a lane change)
- Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
- Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Jetta and the car in front)
- Emergency assistance (identifies an unresponsive driver and brings the Jetta to a safe stop with the hazard lights flashing)
Sport
The Sport trim is similar to last year's R-Line trim and adds some cosmetic and performance upgrades that include:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Gloss-black front grille
- Black window trim, mirror caps and headliner
- Front accent lights
- Rear-seat center armrest with cupholders
Similar to the Jetta S, with the Jetta Sport with an automatic transmission, you can also opt for the IQ.Drive package of driving assistance tech.
SE
Includes all IQ.Drive driver aids as standard equipment, along with:
- Sunroof (optional)
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Simulated leather upholstery
- Power-adjustable driver's seat
- Heated front seats
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Keyless entry with push-button start
SEL
The top of the line for the Jetta by way of:
- Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
- Remote engine start
- Upgraded infotainment system with 8-inch touchscreen and navigation
- Bigger digital instrument cluster (10.25-inch display)
- Wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Wireless smartphone charging pad
- Nine-speaker Beats Audio sound system
- Leather upholstery
- Ventilated front seats
- Heated rear seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Ambient cabin lighting with 10 colors
