2018 Volkswagen Jetta

The Volkswagen Jetta is a bit of an automotive conundrum. All three of its available turbocharged four-cylinder engines are refined and pleasant to drive, and the 2.0-liter under the hood of the Jetta GLI is truly fun to flog. Characteristic of a Volkswagen, the Jetta has competent handling and a functional interior. But despite these promising characteristics, the Jetta completely fails to set the heart racing. Snore-inducing exterior styling may be a culprit, or the fact that this sedan is not nearly as flexible or practical as its stablemate, the hatchback Volkswagen Golf. Whatever the reason, the Jetta can never seem to add up to more than the sum of its parts, and it fades into the background of this highly competitive segment.

What’s New for 2018?

Major changes are still a model year away for the Jetta, which is due for a comprehensive redesign for the 2019 model year. The addition of two new trim levels in the middle of the Jetta’s lineup—the Wolfsburg and the SE Sport—and the deletion of the sporty GLI trim’s six-speed manual transmission mark the major tweaks to the Jetta lineup for 2018. The Wolfsburg adds a few vaguely upscale touches, including leatherette seats, to the Jetta’s base offerings, while the SE Sport boasts black interior and exterior trim and a rear spoiler meant to convey an athletic attitude. Other minor revisions include a new chrome grille that graces most trims and several new wheel designs.

What Was New for 2017?

Volkswagen shuffled the Jetta lineup and upgraded its infotainment system but left the car otherwise unchanged for 2017. The nine trim levels that existed in 2016 were consolidated to five, but the feature-heavy SEL and the sport-minded GLI remain. Volkswagen’s new MIB II infotainment system is available in all but the base trim and adds improved touchscreen functionality.