Used 2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI

#6 in Best Small Cars of 2020

The 2020 Volkswagen Jetta compact sedan has never been better. In terms of generation, it’s only one year old, so the technology and safety features are fresh, with driving abilities that are both refined and athletic. Space and comfort are two more strong points. The pricing is also reasonable.

Designed for Americans, the Jetta is from a European marque and so has some sophistication permeating each aspect. The GLI models, meanwhile, bring more power and driver involvement that some rivals can’t quite match.

Those competitors include the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla (a new generation debuts for 2020), Subaru Impreza and Mazda3. Each has its own particular appeal, but the 2020 Jetta should definitely be on any list of possible new compact-sedan purchases.

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The ingredients may not appear to add up to much: 147 horsepower from a 1.4-liter engine, plus a torsion-beam rear suspension (usually considered the cheap option). But the 2020 Jetta responds well when tasked to accelerate or tackle corners. It balances handling agility with a smooth ride quality, a trait often attributed to European marques.

A manual transmission is standard in the base S and lightly sporty R-Line models. Stick-shift aficionados will be more than happy with its easy and precise action. Alternatively, the 8-speed automatic transmission is polished and kicks down eagerly.

The R-Line also has an XDS electronic differential (derived from the VW GTI) that improves traction when accelerating out of corners.

On the subject of sporty compact cars, the 2020 Jetta GLI brings 228 horsepower to the street and enjoys a more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension, amplifying the fun factor of the regular Jetta. It’s quick and nimble, yet also perfectly bearable for everyday use. The strong braking system comes from the superb (though now discontinued) Golf R high-performance hatchback.

Both GLI trims have the 6-speed manual transmission as standard. No problems there. The option is a 7-speed dual-clutch automated transmission that comes with paddle shifters mounted under the steering wheel, so the driver can be even more engaged.

The GLI Autobahn has an adaptive suspension with a greater range between comfort and sport.

Clean lines and tidy shapes, using soft-touch plastics and other quality materials (for the most part), the 2020 Jetta’s cabin is a pleasant enough environment that’s ergonomically sound. Lower trims use a 6.5-inch infotainment touch screen, while higher ones have a better-looking 8-inch unit.

The S trim has cloth upholstery. The next three trims have simulated-leather seating surfaces and the top SEL Premium gets the real thing. As well as model-specific interior elements, the Jetta GLI cars come standard with adjustable 10-color ambient lighting (also in SEL/SEL Premium trims).

Passenger space is good for the class. Rear legroom is 37.4 inches. The Toyota Camry midsize sedan has about half an inch more. The Camry’s commodious trunk size of 15.1 cubic feet is only one cubic foot better than the Jetta’s. Standard 60/40-split/fold rear seats add some versatility.

One oddity is the shelf behind the rear seats. It slopes upward, limiting rear vision, and is made of cheap plastic that creates a reflective glare on bright days.

Considering it’s called the “Jetta,” the exterior design is neither a prime example of superb aerodynamics nor something that looks particularly quick. But as an exercise in avoiding gimmicks and any polarizing features, the 2020 Jetta stands a good chance of wearing the years well.

The R-Line trim makes a bit of a sporty effort with its specific grille and bumpers, plus black caps for the side mirrors. Both this trim and SEL Premium have fog lights, while R-Line is the point where 17-inch alloy wheels come on board.

The sportier Jetta GLI sits lower than its regular sibling by about half an inch, adds a rear spoiler, rolls on 18-inch alloy wheels, and throws a red stripe across the grille.

DIGITAL COCKPIT
This configurable driver-information display — showing road and engine speeds, plus navigation and other information — first appeared in Audi vehicles as the Virtual Cockpit, replacing traditional gauges. Now a 10.25-inch version is in SEL/SEL Premium and GLI Autobahn variants of the mainstream Jetta.

BEATS AUDIO
Volkswagen has partnered with Beats Audio for its premium sound system. Some previous Beats systems were bass-heavy, but this setup sounds more refined and pleasing across the entire frequency spectrum. It only comes in the SEL/SEL Premium and GLI Autobahn trims, though.

At its entry level, the 2020 Jetta in S trim comes with the smaller engine and the manual transmission. It also includes 16-inch alloy wheels, LED exterior lighting, cloth upholstery, 4-speaker audio setup, Wi-Fi, a pair of USB-C ports, smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto/MirrorLink, Bluetooth, 6.5-inch touch screen, and AM/FM radio.

In our opinion, a smarter buy would be the SE, since it already comes with an automatic transmission while adding some driver aids like forward-collision mitigation and blind-spot monitoring. Among the other standard features are heated front seats, simulated-leather seating surfaces, keyless entry/ignition, and dual-zone automatic climate control.

The 2020 GLI versions start out with 18-inch alloy wheels, extra performance hardware to complement the bigger engine, and the full set of driver aids.

If some buyers wanted their new Jetta to have a dash of driver appeal without going for a full-on GLI variant, the R-Line has the electronic front differential, along with 17-inch alloy wheels.

The SEL doesn’t have the XDS diff, but it has a lot of other stuff, including the Beats 8-speaker/400-watt audio system with satellite radio and a CD player. See the Trims/Features section below for a more detailed itemization.

The Jetta S can be ordered with some driver aids; the SE and R-Line are eligible for a Cold Weather package (heated steering wheel/windshield-washer nozzles/wipers, park/rear seats) which is standard in the SEL and SEL Premium.

GLI buyers can choose summer tires at no extra cost and the DSG automated transmission ($800), while the Autobahn can come with the cosmetic Black Package.

The less sporty 2020 Jetta variants have a turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine making a so-so 147 horsepower and a reasonable 184 lb-ft of torque. If output is underwhelming, at least it achieves 40 mpg on the highway, regardless of transmission. And while many other turbocharged engines prefer premium gasoline, this unit is fine with regular.

A 6-speed manual transmission is standard in the S and R-Line trims. The others have an 8-speed automatic, which is optional in the S and R-Line.

The more performance-oriented 2020 Jetta GLI models have a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine developing 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque with regular gasoline. The GLI S employs a 6-speed manual transmission as standard, with a 7-speed dual-clutch automated transmission as an option.

Every 2020 Jetta has a front-wheel-drive (FWD) setup. Those with automatic transmissions also have an engine stop/start feature to save a little fuel when idling.

1.4-liter turbocharged inline-4
147 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
184 lb-ft of torque @ 1,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 30/40 mpg

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (Jetta GLI)
228 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 25/32 mpg (automatic), 25/33 mpg (manual)