Used 2022 Volkswagen Jetta

Price: The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta starts at $20,195, with the sports-minded Jetta GLI beginning at $30,995.

While it’s tempting to think of Volkswagen as an SUV company these days (consider the Taos, Tiguan, Atlas, and ID.4), some 30% of the company’s sales volume in the U.S. remains sedans. And of these, the Jetta is by far the most important.

For 2022, the Jetta has gone through a significant midcycle refresh. The design has been updated inside and out, and the base Jetta gets upgraded from a 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine to a 1.5. While that may not seem like a big change, the new 1.5 is a significantly updated engine that puts out 158 horsepower, an increase of 11 hp compared to last year. Peak torque remains at 184 lb-ft, but VW says there’s more of it down low, which makes for a more relaxed driving experience with either the 6-speed manual transmission or the 8-speed automatic transmission.

The 2022 Jetta continues to be built on the VW’s MQB chassis, and although the tuning of the suspension hasn’t changed, lots of improvements have taken place inside VW’s roomy compact sedan. Among them: VW’s digital gauges have been made standard, as has automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic assist. Additionally, the new Jetta gets updated cloth seats and contrast stitching on its armrests and shifter. Also new for 2022 is the Jetta Sport, a model with firm suspension and VW’s traction-enhancing XDS cross-differential.

Think of the new Jetta Sport as a low-priced version of the Volkswagen Jetta GLI, a sport sedan that continues to be available for 2022. The main change for the Jetta GLI for 2022 is this: It’s available only in top-level Autobahn trim. It also gets a new steering wheel with touch controls, plus a perforated leather seating surface with a red underlay that can be seen in each of the tiny perforations.

The Puebla, Mexico-built Jetta continues to be one of the larger cars in the compact-sedan arena, so it’s roomier than you might expect. Among its numerous competitors are the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, Subaru Impreza, and the Mazda3.

KBB drove a pre-production version of the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, a Pyrite Silver Metallic SE model with a black leatherette interior, a sunroof, and a total price of $25,840, which includes a destination fee of $1,195.

Our findings? The new Jetta has gone to finishing school. This compact VW sedan looks larger and a bit more mainstream, perhaps in an effort to fill the gap created when the Passat leaves the lineup after the 2022 model year.

Whatever the case, the new Jetta impresses. The thick, leather-wrapped rim of the steering wheel feels meaty and substantial, while the digital gauges are a model of clarity. What’s more, the infotainment screen features actual buttons and knobs that allow for quick on-the-go adjustments without taking your eyes off the road.

The ride quality, aided in part by the tall sidewalls of the 205/55R-17 Bridgestone Turanza tires, is plush but not floaty. In fact, on the twisty roads of western North Carolina, the Jetta responds well to driver inputs, showing its European origins. At everyday speeds, the twist-beam rear axle of the SE shows no obvious limitations. Still, enthusiast drivers may want to consider the new Jetta Sport model, which boasts firmer suspension and the XDS cross-differential.

And what about the new 1.5-liter base engine? We like it. This 158-horsepower 4-cylinder runs just fine on regular unleaded, boost arrives quickly, and there’s ample torque down low. Moreover, the 8-speed automatic transmission, with a conventional PRNDL shifter on the center console, always seems to be in the right gear for a given situation. And if you always want to be in charge of gear selection, the new 2022 VW Jetta also is available with a 6-speed manual transmission.

While the new direct-injected 1.5-liter EA211 engine doesn’t suddenly transform the Jetta into a sports sedan, kudos to VW for creating a new powerplant that’s more powerful and more fuel-efficient than last year’s 1.4-liter.

If you want a serious Jetta sport sedan, you have one choice: the Jetta GLI, which is dynamically unchanged for 2022 and continues to be powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque at only 1,500 rpm.

With its sport-tuned adaptive suspension, big front brakes from the previous Golf R, and either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic with shift paddles, the new GLI devours roads like NC-209 (aka “The Rattler”) without overwhelming its brakes. While it’s not quite as agile as the new Golf-based GTI, the Jetta GLI shines on twisty roads, aided by a limited-slip front differential, multilink rear suspension, and supportive seats covered in perforated leather with a red underlay visible in each of the tiny holes.

If you’re looking for a compact sedan that’s sportier than an Audi A3 but more affordable than an S3, the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI deserves a look.

As one of the larger compact sedans, the 5-seat VW Jetta accommodates back-seat passengers well. Two fit comfortably back there, or three in a pinch.

VW’s 8-inch digital gauge package has been made standard for 2022. If you want the large 10.25-inch digital gauges, they become standard on the Jetta SEL and GLI models, along with leather upholstery, wireless smartphone charging, and a BeatsAudio sound system. Other Jetta changes for 2022 include updated cloth seats and contrast stitching on all the armrests and the shifter. The new Jetta Sport trim also gets a black headliner.

The sport-tuned Jetta GLI also gets a new steering wheel with touch controls for 2022, plus perforated leather seating surfaces with a red underlay.

How do you spot a 2022 Jetta? Look for the mildly revised front and rear bumpers, or the new wheels. The new grille also has two chrome bars that flank the VW logo.

On the GLI, there’s a red accent strip between the bars, along with the 18-inch alloy wheels and a lower front fascia featuring a honeycomb motif.

LED headlights are standard on all Jettas, the top models getting projector LEDs. Chome window trim is used on the sides of the new Jetta, the Sport and GLI get models get a black window surround.

In back, all new Jettas get standard LED taillights and a new rear bumper. The GLI is distinguished by a honeycomb rear diffuser in black, plus a wider dual exhaust that’s said to offer a sportier sound.

The 2022 Jetta is available in seven exterior colors, including these three new ones — Kings Red Metallic, Oryx White Metallic, and Rising Blue Metallic. The 2022 Jetta GLI comes in five colors.

THE NEW 1.5-LITER ENGINE
The new 1.5-liter 4-cylinder — which uses a version of the fuel-saving Miller Cycle — is a thoroughly modern powerplant designed for better fuel economy and power. Among its technical highlights are a variable-geometry turbocharger, plasma-coated cylinder liners, high injection pressures, and a map-controlled cooling module that controls water flow in various parts of the engine and can rapidly heat the new Jetta’s interior.

DCC ADAPTIVE SUSPENSION
DCC remains standard on the VW Jetta GLI. This adaptive suspension works well, expertly adapting the GLI chassis for varying road conditions. Driver-selectable modes range from silky smooth to sporty firm.

The base 2022 Jetta, the S, is equipped with cloth seats, 16-inch alloy wheels, and VW’s 8-inch digital gauges. Other standard fare on the Jetta S includes in-car Wi-Fi, VW’s App-Connect, and a safety suite with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

In new Sport trim, the Jetta has firmer suspension and 17-inch alloy wheels, plus the XDS differential and a black grille along with black window trim and a black headliner.

The Jetta SE ups the standard content with 17-inch wheels, but it’s also equipped with automatic climate control, keyless access, leatherette seating surfaces, a power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and the full IQ.Drive safety suite.

As an SEL, the top version, the 2022 Jetta doesn’t lack much. Standard SEL fare includes leather upholstery, a sunroof, the 10-inch digital gauge package, wireless smartphone charging, 10-color ambient interior lighting, heated and vented front seats, heated rear seats, VW’s MIB3 infotainment system, a BeatsAudio sound system, and active high-beam headlights.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, now available only as an Autobahn model, is similarly loaded. In addition to its 228-horsepower engine, adaptive suspension (multilink in back), and big front brakes, the GLI has an electronic limited-slip differential, a driving mode selector, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a sport exhaust. On the comfort front, the GLI delivers with leather seat upholstery, wireless smartphone charging, MIB3 infotainment, 10-inch digital gauges, a sunroof, and a BeatsAudio sound system. The GLI, when equipped with the DSG automatic, has the IQ.Drive safety suite standard.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta S and Jetta Sport are available with the IQ.Drive safety suite and a Convenience Package. On the Jetta SE, you also can order a sunroof and 17-inch black wheels.

Options are fewer on the well-equipped 2022 Jetta GLI. Other than the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters, the most significant option is the Black Package. The roof, mirror caps, spoiler, and 18-inch alloy wheels are all in black, of course.

The new base engine in the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta comes from the new VW Taos SUV.  It’s a turbocharged and direct-injected 1.5-liter 4-cylinder that makes 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque on regular unleaded gasoline.

It’s a high-compression engine tuned to produce excellent torque while returning good fuel economy. Featuring plasma-coated cylinder liners and a variable-geometry turbocharger, the high-boost engine mates to either a 6-speed manual transmission or an 8-speed automatic.

The Jetta GLI sports sedan continues to be powered by VW’s turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, an engine that produces 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. You can order a GLI with a 6-speed manual transmission or an optional dual-clutch 7-speed automatic with paddle shifters and launch control.

EPA fuel economy for the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta has improved a bit, even with the slightly larger base engine.

1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4
158 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
184 lb-ft of torque @ 1,750 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 31/41 mpg (automatic), 29/43 mpg (manual)

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: 26/36 mpg (automatic), 26/37 mpg (manual)