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Volkswagen Featured 2026 Sedan

Jetta 2026

Volkswagen Jetta

Trim Se Fwd
Variant 1.5L TSI Turbo I-4
Generation Seventh Generation (Facelift)
Body Style Sedan
Model Year 2026
Fuel Regular Unleaded Gasoline
Transmission 8-speed automatic
Drive Type Fwd
Engine 1.5L TSI Turbocharged DOHC 16-Valve Inline 4-Cylinder
Horsepower 158 hp @ 5,500 rpm (228 hp GLI)
Starting from
$28,260

Dealer: $27,300

Vehicle Overview

Refined compact sedan featuring a standard 158-hp 1.5L TSI Turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, 8-speed automatic, floating 8-inch touchscreen display, 40 MPG highway fuel economy, and standard IQ.DRIVE safety suite.

The Volkswagen Jetta continues as a standard-bearer for European compact sedans, featuring updated front-end LED light bar styling, a floating 8-inch central touchscreen display, standard IQ.DRIVE safety systems, and a class-leading 40 MPG highway fuel rating.

Ratings

4.5 Expert Rating
890 Community Reviews
21 Views

Category Scores

Performance 7.8
Comfort 9.1
Safety 9.6
Fuel Economy 9.7
Technology 9.0
Maintenance 9.1
Reliability 8.8
Interior 9.0
Exterior 9.2
Value 9.5

Specifications

Powertrain & Drivetrain

Engine Layout 1.5L TSI® Turbocharged DOHC 16-Valve 4-Cylinder
Transmission 8-Speed Automatic Transmission
Drive System Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)
High-Performance Variant Jetta GLI (2.0L TSI I-4, 228 hp / 258 lb-ft, 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG)

Chassis & Brakes

Front Suspension Independent MacPherson strut suspension with stabilizer bar
Rear Suspension Torsion beam rear axle with stabilizer bar (Multi-link on GLI)
Braking System 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS & Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution
Wheels & Tires 17-inch two-tone 10-spoke alloy wheels with P205/55R17 all-season tires

Dimensions & Capacity

Length 186.5 in (4,737 mm)
Width 70.8 in (1,798 mm without mirrors)
Height 57.7 in (1,466 mm)
Wheelbase 105.7 in (2,685 mm)
Cargo Volume 14.1 cu ft trunk capacity
Curb Weight 3,000 lbs

Safety

Safety Suite Volkswagen IQ.DRIVE Driver Assistance Suite
NHTSA Rating 5 Stars Overall Safety Rating
Driver Assistance Travel Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, & Emergency Assist

Engine & Performance

Engine1.5L TSI Turbocharged DOHC 16-Valve Inline 4-Cylinder
Horsepower158 hp @ 5,500 rpm (228 hp GLI)
Torque184 lb-ft @ 1,750 rpm (258 lb-ft GLI)
Fuel TypeRegular Unleaded Gasoline
Transmission8-speed automatic
Drive TypeFWD
Mileage33 MPGe combined (29 City / 40 Hwy)
Acceleration7.1 sec (0-60 mph)
Top Speed126 mph
Emissions270 g/mi CO2
Battery12V starter battery
Range (EV)520 miles total highway tank range

Fuel Economy

Fuel TypeRegular Unleaded Gasoline
Mileage33 MPGe combined (29 City / 40 Hwy)
Emissions270 g/mi CO2
Battery12V starter battery
Range (EV)520 miles total highway tank range

Safety

  • Front Assist (Forward Collision Warning & Autonomous Emergency Braking)
  • Active Side Assist (Blind Spot Monitor) & Rear Traffic Alert
  • Lane Assist (Lane Keeping System) & Travel Assist semi-automated driving

Technology

  • Floating 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display
  • Volkswagen Digital Cockpit 8-inch display (10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro on SEL)
  • Wireless App-Connect (Apple CarPlay & Android Auto integration)
  • Climatronic® Touch dual-zone automatic climate control

Ownership

  • Perforated two-tone CloudTex leatherette seating surfaces
  • Heated front seats & 8-way power adjustable driver seat with lumbar
  • Power tilting/sliding sunroof & KESSY® keyless entry with push-button start

Use the wireless App-Connect feature to run Google Maps or Waze directly on the floating 8-inch touchscreen display without plugging in smartphone cables.

Expert Review

By FindEdition Auto Team

4.5 / 10 expert score

Overview

The Volkswagen Jetta continues as a standard-bearer for European compact sedans, featuring updated front-end LED light bar styling, a floating 8-inch central touchscreen display, standard IQ.DRIVE safety systems, and a class-leading 40 MPG highway fuel rating.

Driving Experience

The 158-hp 1.5L TSI turbocharged engine produces strong low-rpm torque (184 lb-ft at 1,750 rpm) through a smooth 8-speed automatic transmission, delivering a quiet, relaxed highway cruising ride.

Fuel Economy & Utility

Achieves an EPA-estimated 33 MPG combined (29 City / 40 Hwy) while offering a roomy 14.1 cu ft trunk and adult-friendly 37.0 inches of rear seat legroom.

Pros

  • Outstanding highway fuel economy reaching up to 40 MPG with a 500+ mile cruising range
  • Generous rear legroom (37.0 inches) rivals many larger midsize sedans
  • Standard Volkswagen IQ.DRIVE driver assistance suite across all trim levels
  • Standard floating 8-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Punchy low-end torque (184 lb-ft) from the 1.5L TSI engine provides effortless around-town passing power

Cons

  • Climatronic touch-based climate controls require getting used to over traditional physical knobs
  • Torsion-beam rear suspension on standard trims lacks the sport agility of multi-link setups
  • All-Wheel Drive (AWD) is not offered in the Jetta lineup

Verdict

A comfortable, fuel-efficient European compact sedan that delivers exceptional highway range (up to 40 MPG), generous 37 inches of rear legroom, clean exterior LED lighting details, and robust standard IQ.DRIVE safety tech.

Pricing Intelligence

MSRP $28,260
Current $28,260
Dealer $27,300
Invoice $26,500
Offer $27,800
Discount460
Finance3.99% APR for 60 months (qualified buyers)
Lease$259/mo for 36 months, $2,999 due at signing
TaxesVaries by state and locality

Product Intelligence

Buying Recommendation

The SE trim is the value sweet spot, adding perforated CloudTex leatherette heated front seats, 8-way power driver seat, power sunroof, keyless entry, and 17-inch alloy wheels under $29,000.

Ownership Cost

Use the wireless App-Connect feature to run Google Maps or Waze directly on the floating 8-inch touchscreen display without plugging in smartphone cables.

Alternatives

The SE trim is the value sweet spot, adding perforated CloudTex leatherette heated front seats, 8-way power driver seat, power sunroof, keyless entry, and 17-inch alloy wheels under $29,000.

  • vs Honda Civic Jetta offers higher highway fuel economy (40 MPG
  • vs 37 MPG) and standard wireless App Connect at a lower entry price point; Civic offers a slightly sportier chassis tuning.
  • vs Toyota Corolla Jetta provides a roomier rear seat, a turbocharged engine with higher torque, and a larger standard touchscreen display.

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Compare & Alternatives

For higher ratings in the Volkswagen lineup, consider the Volkswagen Golf GTI (9.0/10). A more affordable option is the Lynk & Co Z10.

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