2026 Volkswagen Jetta Expert Review
Reviewed by Billy Rehbock
Although the industry is more focused on SUVs and electric cars, the Jetta finally got some love for the 2025 model year with a major refresh. Not much changes for the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta, one of the brand’s most popular models.
The sedan hasn’t received a major update like its hatchback sibling, the Golf, but VW has kept things fresh with cosmetic tweaks and new tech. The Jetta competes with other compacts including the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Mazda 3.
What’s New
- Standard rear seat pretensioners
- Updated seatbelt reminder
- Eight-speaker audio for SEL trim and GLI variant
What We Think
The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta squares off against some of the market’s most well-known nameplates in the compact sedan segment. The Jetta faces stiff competition and has fallen behind the pack in a few ways.
Starting with the positives, the Jetta gets most of the basics right. Its spacious interior has a roomy second row that’s big enough to install a full-size rear-facing car seat with room to spare. Fuel economy remains commendable, though the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla offer more mpgs.
Mainstream versions of the Jetta have solid feel, giving up some handling prowess for everyday comfort. For those who want sportiness, VW still offers the Jetta GLI with a punchy turbocharged engine, adaptive dampers, and an available manual transmission.
Unfortunately, the non-GLI Jetta isn’t very quick, and its engine suffers from refinement issues. In our testing, we’ve noted strained acceleration upon takeoff followed by a boosty surge. We aren’t fans of the cabin’s materials, either, even if there’s attractive tech on offer.
With these factors taken into consideration, we can’t recommend the Jetta over most of its rivals unless you’re springing for the pricier GLI variant. Although VW has plied the Jetta with some last-minute attention as its rivals have continued to improve, the love may have been too little, too late.
Top-Ranked Competitors:
MotorTrend Tested
The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta is equipped with a standard 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine developing 158 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. All models receive FWD and an eight-speed automatic transmission. In our testing, we’ve recorded an 8.5-second acceleration time with a 2025 Volkswagen Jetta SEL, which lags the pre-refresh model by 0.9 second.
Those who want more driving excitement should step up to the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, which uses a 2.0-liter turbo-four producing 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Volkswagen still offers this variant with a choice of a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
We suspect the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta GLI accelerates from 0 to 60 mph as quickly as the pre-refresh model, which did the job in 6.1 seconds.
MPGs and Range
The EPA rates the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta at 29/40 mpg city/highway in most trims, although the base model returns 29/39 mpg. All trims attain a total driving range of 436 miles.
The GLI is estimated to return 26/36 mpg with the manual transmission and 25/35 mpg with the automatic transmission. Range should fall between 383 and 396 miles depending on which gearbox is equipped.
Safety Ratings and Features
The Jetta has adequate safety ratings; the Honda Civic and Mazda 3 offer best-in-class safety ratings in the segment.
For 2025, IIHS grants the Volkswagen Jetta its highest score of Good for the small overlap front, original moderate overlap front, and original side crash tests. The updated side crash test results in a second-highest rating of Acceptable, however.
Pedestrian front crash prevention receives a second-lowest score of Medium, while LATCH ease of use garners an Acceptable rating.
Finally, IIHS gives the Jetta’s seat-belt reminders a score of Poor, though Volkswagen addresses this with an update for 2026. The automaker also installs rear seat belt pretensioners with enhanced seatbelt reminders for the new model year.
NHTSA awards five stars overall for all Jetta variants. The organization grants four stars for frontal crash, five stars for side crash, and four stars for rollover.
All 2026 Volkswagen Jetta models come standard with the IQ.Drive suite of active driver assistance tech. This includes:
- Lane keeping assistance
- Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Automatic emergency braking
- Available high-beam assist
Cargo Space and Interior Room
The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta matches the Honda Civic for second row legroom and beats the Toyota Corolla. Its trunk matches the Civic Si, though other variants of the Civic have slightly more cargo capacity.
Technology
Infotainment
Basic versions of the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta receive an 8.0-inch driver display and an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Apple CarPlay are standard on all models, but wireless connectivity is reserved for higher trims.
Higher trims receive advanced features such as a 10.3-inch driver display, voice commands, wireless charging, and navigation. All 2026 Jettas receive two front USB-C ports, while higher trims come with USB-C charging ports in the rear.
Sound System
Base and Sport models are equipped with four speakers. The SE trim comes with six speakers. SEL and GLI models receive a new eight-speaker audio setup.
Available Upgrades
Top-level versions of the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta receive ventilated front seats with driver position memory, heated first- and second-row seating, and configurable ambient interior lighting.
Value
Standard Features
The base 2026 Volkswagen Jetta S receives 16-inch wheels, rain-sensing windshield wipers, LED headlights, and LED taillights. Inside the cabin, VW outfits dual-zone climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and manually adjustable front-row seats.
Recommended Trim
We recommend springing for the Jetta GLI, which sorts out most of the post-refresh model’s driving refinement issues. You can even get a manual transmission. Equipped with either gearbox, the Jetta GLI returns admirable fuel economy for a sporty sedan.
The Jetta GLI benefits from a multilink rear axle, adaptive chassis control, a limited-slip differential, a dual-exhaust setup, and attractive styling enhancements. You don’t sacrifice comfort, either; the GLI is outfitted with all of the Jetta’s most premium equipment inside the cabin, which is dressed up with sportier accents.
If the GLI’s approximate starting price of $34,000 is too much, we’d recommend skipping over the Jetta altogether in favor of one of a Honda Civic.
