LIKES
- Big interior
- Decent value, mostly
- Comfortable to drive
- Fairly fun personality
DISLIKES
- Not a strong styling statement
- Somewhat small touchscreen
- Some versions get pricey
- A few chintzy touches
BUYING TIP
- The Jetta makes great sense in either S or Sport trim, but it can get pricey as an SE or SEL. The GLI’s its own beast.
The 2023 VW Jetta trades thrills for practicality, though the GLI can excite when pushed.
What kind of vehicle is the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta? What does it compare to?
The 2023 VW Jetta is a compact sedan. Cross shop it against the Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3, and Subaru Impreza, among others.
Is the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta a good car?
It’s a solid overall choice available in a relatively wide range of configurations. The Jetta’s suave dynamics, comfy interior, and decent value land it at 5.7 out of 10 on the TCC scale.
What's new for the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta?
After a light update last year, the Jetta carries into 2023 unchanged.
The Jetta comes only as a sedan, offered in either mainstream S, SE, and SEL trims or as a sport sedan called GLI. All share basic three-box styling with conservative lines that fall well short of gorgeous but should age well over time. The same is true inside, where the cabin is convenient and spacious but dull.
The perky 1.5-liter turbo-4 sends 158 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels via either an 8-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual. Fuel economy is as high as 35 mpg combined, which is impressive for a compact four-door.
Jetta GLI models swap in a 228-hp, 258 lb-ft of torque 2.0-liter turbo-4 that can zip to 60 mph in fewer than six seconds. That power comes paired with a firmer suspension with adaptive dampers, and VW upgrades the standard model’s tame torsion-bar rear axle for a multi-link setup more in line with its sporty aspirations. They’re also fairly comfortable inside, with good passenger space and a decent trunk. The standard 6.5-inch touchscreen is on the small end, though the optional 8.0-inch display fits the dash better. All versions have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility plus a digital instrument cluster.
How much does the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta cost?
In base form, the Jetta S starts at $21,460 with the manual transmission, or an extra $800 for the automatic. Another $955 buys adaptive cruise control, active lane control, and a few other niceties. For basic commuting, that’s still a great deal.
GLI models deliver proper sport sedan vibes for around $32,500.
Where is the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta made?
In Puebla, Mexico.
Styling
The 2023 VW Jetta has some lumpy styling elements outside, though its cabin is nice enough.
Is the Volkswagen Jetta a good-looking car?
An update last year gave the Jetta a fresh front end, but we actually prefer the previous model. The 2023 Jetta loses a point for its quirky exterior, bringing it to a 4 out of 10.
VW keeps the Jetta’s three-box profile intact, though, and this simple, clean design should age well, especially against rivals such as the Toyota Corolla and Kia Forte with bolder shapes. If you’re going to keep your car for a decade, the Jetta may stay fresh the longest.
GLI versions toss in a chunky body kit and 18-inch wheels, while the Sport trim splits the difference with 17s and some subtle revisions.
Performance
The 2023 VW Jetta is pleasant in most forms, and downright sporty in GLI trim.
The 2023 Jetta sets a reasonable bar for competent handling and acceptable acceleration. It’s a 5 out of 10 on our scale, though the range-topping GLI would rate higher if evaluated individually.
Is the Volkswagen Jetta 4WD?
No, the 2023 VW Jetta comes only in a front-wheel-drive configuration.
How fast is the Volkswagen Jetta?
The standard 158-hp turbo-4 delivers reasonable acceleration via either a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission. The shift-it-yourself unit is the more fun selection, especially since the automatic can fumble its way through gears at low speeds away from a stop or in stop-and-go traffic.
No Jetta is a slob when it comes to ride or handling, though it takes Sport or especially GLI trim to really have a good time. Sport versions make use of a limited-slip-style front differential for better power modulation, while GLIs up the ante considerably with adaptive dampers, a more sophisticated multi-link rear end, and generally stiffer settings throughout.
Comfort & Quality
The Jetta rewards with its commodious cabin.
The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta is a spacious choice among compact sedans. Its cabin easily accommodates four or even five passengers, and its cargo utility is decent for a four-door. We rate it at 6 out of 10 thanks mostly to its above-average rear-seat room.
Even front-seat riders have comfy enough thrones, with good support and decent adjustment with power assistance on higher trims. Rear-seat passengers get up to 37.4 inches of legroom, big doors, and a comfortable bench.
Upholstery options include chunky cloth, easy-clean synthetic leather, or soft real leather. The 14.1 cubic-foot trunk is so-so, but good small-item storage and a split-folding rear seatback mean decent utility.
Safety
The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta offers decent crash-test scores and widespread advanced safety features.
How safe is the Volkswagen Jetta?
It’s a pretty good choice overall. Our 7 out of 10 score here comes courtesy standard automatic emergency braking and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Better headlights on lower-trim versions would be enough to give it an extra point, but the IIHS holds back on a Top Safety Pick score.
The Jetta comes with automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitors, while adaptive cruise control and active lane control are optional on base S and mid-level Sport versions and standard otherwise.
Features
The 2023 VW Jetta comes in a host of trim levels, which are backed by a good warranty.
Volkswagen fits a good array of standard features to the 2023 Jetta. We derive our 7 out of 10 score thanks to its decent value and an impressive warranty.
Jetta S sedans cost around $21,500, and they include a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, and 16-inch alloy wheels. Another $950 or so buys adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitors, features we think are worth the cost.
A 4-year/50,000-mile warranty is augmented by two years of scheduled maintenance.
Which Volkswagen Jetta should I buy?
How much is a fully loaded Volkswagen Jetta?
The 2023 Jetta can tickle $30,000 in SEL trim, which comes with leather seats that are heated and cooled up front, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, a larger digital instrument cluster, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, keyless ignition, and a Beats audio system.
At that price, you might want to consider the $32,500 Jetta GLI, which comes with all that plus more power and a buttoned-down chassis.
Fuel Economy
The 2023 VW Jetta gives hybrids a run for their money.
Is the Volkswagen Jetta good on gas?
It’s a thrifty one, that’s for sure. We rate the 2023 Jetta at 5 out of 10 thanks to its 31 mpg city, 41 highway, 35 combined rating from the EPA. Swap in the manual and those figures adjust to 29/42/34 mpg.
Caveat: Those figures apply only to the base Jetta S. Those in higher trim have heavier wheels and more equipment, which dent figures to 29/40/33 mpg with the automatic.
Jetta GLI models come in at 30 mpg combined regardless of gearbox.
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