2026 Volkswagen Jetta

The pleasure of driving a European automobile is often associated with pricey luxury cars, but the Volkswagen Jetta remains a delightfully accessible ticket into the world of German cars. The Jetta is priced competitively with the hot sellers in this class, but brings an air of class to the smartly designed and high-tech interior. Although its performance specs are par for the course on paper, its taut handling and lively acceleration make it a little more rewarding to drive than the average compact sedan. For a true sport sedan, consider the more muscular Jetta GLI, which we review separately.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of compact cars, including the Volkswagen Jetta.

Following a refresh for 2025, Volkswagen is a little more generous with standard features in the 2026 Jetta. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are now standard on every trim, the SE model gets a standard sunroof, and the SEL trim has a standard 8-speaker premium audio system.

The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta starts at $25,270. The top SEL trim kicks off at $31,270.

The pricing of the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta is about average for a compact sedan. It’s priced similarly to the Honda Civic and Mazda3, while a couple of options in this class with lower starting prices include the Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra, and Kia K4.

Before buying a Jetta, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Volkswagen Jetta resale value is at the bottom of its segment. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta is powered by a 158-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine matched with an 8-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive (FWD). All-wheel drive (AWD) and hybrid powertrains are increasingly popular options in this class, but the Jetta is still front-wheel-drive-only with no hybrid option.

Thanks to ample torque at low rpm, the Jetta is noticeably quicker than most contemporaries, capable of dashing to 60 mph in about seven seconds. Once in motion, you’ll find the Jetta’s European roots make it one of the most enjoyable compacts in the class, bolstered by taut steering, adept cornering, and strong brakes. As a driver’s car, the Jetta checks all the right boxes, delivering a firm yet comfortable ride around town or the occasional trip further afield.

The value proposition of the Jetta has always been German driving dynamics at a more attainable price point than a luxury car, and this humble yet fun VW continues to uphold that reputation.

Fuel Economy

The Volkswagen Jetta returns 29 city/40 highway/33 combined mpg, which is good for a non-hybrid. However, if low fuel costs are a high priority, the hybrid options of the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Hyundai Elantra are more frugal.

A distinctly European flavor distinguishes the Volkswagen Jetta from the competition. Its driver-focused cabin has supportive front seats, an 8-inch display angled toward the driver, and ergonomically friendly controls. However, we could do with more physical buttons, knobs, and switches rather than the sometimes-frustrating haptic controls for the HVAC. At least it has a volume knob, which not all VW models do.

Interior space is generous for a compact car. Rear passengers won’t complain; they have 37.4 inches of legroom, which is on the better side of this class. As for cargo space, the Jetta’s 14.1-cubic-foot trunk is on par with the segment.

The Volkswagen Jetta has never been known for radical or daring style, and this remains the case with the 2026 model. Last year’s refresh helped to keep it fresh, but it retains a subtle and restrained style that we appreciate.

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
A new perk for 2026 is standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on every trim of the Jetta. This makes it effortless to connect your phone to the screen in the car.

15-watt wireless charging
The Jetta used to have a 5-watt wireless charging pad, but it’s been upgraded to 15 watts for faster charging speeds without needing to plug in.

Digital Cockpit
The lower four trims have an 8-inch instrument cluster, while the SEL model has a customizable 10.25-inch setup. From our perspective, both add the feeling of driving a more expensive sedan.

IQ.Drive
This system includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, emergency stop assistance (automatic transmission only), and adaptive cruise control.

Climatronic
This is Volkswagen’s fancy name for dual-zone automatic climate control. It comes standard in every Jetta, which isn’t always the case for compact cars at this price point.

Volkswagen Premium Audio
The available Volkswagen Premium Audio upgrade features eight speakers and is a significant upgrade over the standard four-speaker system. This rich sound system is standard on the SEL trim.

The 2026 Jetta’s standard engine is a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder unit making 158 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed automatic routes power to the front wheels. Although these numbers are about average for an affordable compact, the Jetta is pretty torquey low in the rev range, making it more fun to drive than its modest specs imply.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Volkswagen’s basic and powertrain warranties last four years or 50,000 miles. That’s better than the typical 3-year/36,000-mile new-vehicle warranty but not as good as the more common 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain coverage. VW includes roadside assistance for three years or 36,000 miles, plus free scheduled maintenance for the first two years or 20,000 miles.

Safety

In crash testing conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Jetta scored a maximum 5-Star overall rating. The independent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) attained similar results, awarding the Jetta the top mark of “Good” in the small overlap front crash test and “Acceptable” in the side crash test.