2023 Volkswagen Jetta is one of the sedans with luggage features because of its fun driving characteristics. The front-wheel-drive Jetta sedan is one of the best compacts on sale today. The 2023 VW Jetta has sprightly handling that makes leaning on the 158-horsepower turbocharged inline-four engine a pleasure.
According to car and driver if you want more power and performance switch to the 228-hp Jetta GLI while a six-speed manual is standard on the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta. The Jetta can also be equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission for an extra few hundred dollars.
Standard safety features and a host of excellent infotainment offerings fill Jetta’s cabin. At first glance, the 2023 VW Jetta returns an impressive 42 mpg on a real-world 75 mph highway fuel economy test.
The GLI has proven to deliver comfortable ride quality, a large trunk, and a handsome exterior. The sedan comes with plenty of standard kits and when you get it with the smaller engine it delivers good fuel economy.
2023 Volkswagen Jetta Review
The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta has seen a very nice and significant overhaul ranging from new styling changes with standard features, improved technology, and a new turbocharged engine that should give the Jetta more oomph.
The 2023 Jetta’s 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four produces 158 horsepower which is an 11-hp increase over the previous model and will likely help it feel less heavy. But if you want more power the Jetta GLI also offers GTI-like performance in a sedan package.
All five trim levels from last year have returned, including the GLI enthusiast model that offers a limited-slip differential, adaptive suspension, variable-ratio steering system and front brakes from the Mk7 Golf R. Volkswagen’s five-passenger compact sedan fights small four-door battles like the Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra.
- A smooth and pleasant ride
- Ample storage in the cabin
- Customizable digital instrument cluster gives a tech feel
- SE trim level adds remote start
- USB charging port has more power (late availability)
2023 Volkswagen Jetta Interior
On the inside, the 2023 Jetta provides a sophisticated design and ample passenger space although the available features become more desirable with each higher trim. Each cabin caters to the driver and offers excellent outward visibility.
Additionally, the 2023 Jetta is able to accommodate seven bags in the trunk compared to the five bags that fit behind the rear seats of the VW Golf. Additionally, the Jetta has three more extra bags than the Golf (18 in total) with the rear seats folded. The Jetta’s interior cubby storage includes useful door pockets and a deep center console bin.
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Infotainment and Connectivity
We expect the 2023 Jetta to have a responsive touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities. Along with the traditional volume and adjustment knob, the Car-Net unit allows gesture control for swiping and pinching to zoom.
Similarly, every Jetta has a mobile hotspot as long as one is willing to pay for a subscription-based data plan. Wireless charging is standard on the top two trim levels.
2023 Volkswagen Jetta Engine
The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta is front-wheel drive with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The base model 2023 Jetta has a standard six-speed manual transmission and an eight-speed automatic is optional.
Our automatic 2023 Jetta SEL reached 60 mph in 7.1 seconds, 0.6 seconds faster than the automatic Jetta. Overall the sedan has a comfortable and quiet ride.
Performance and Fuel Economy
The 2023 Jetta comes with FWD in every trim; most sedans will have a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four powertrain that produces 158 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual is a standard on the base trim but most Jettas will have an eight-speed automatic.
If you want the 2023 Jetta with the best efficiency, choose the model with the 1.5-liter engine. Base trims with a smaller engine and automatic transmission return EPA fuel economy estimates of 31/41 mpg city/highway.
Higher trims return 29/40 mpg with the automatic, and manual models are good for 29/42 mpg.
2023 Volkswagen Jetta MPG
The 2023 VW Jetta beat EPA estimates during our 75 mph fuel economy route, returning an impressive 42 mpg. While the EPA ratings for new Jettas with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission differ only slightly.
The base automatic is most efficient with an estimated 31 mpg city and 41 mpg highway. Jettas with three pedals get 29 mpg on the highway and 42 mpg with EPA ratings.
Jetta Sport, SE, and SEL trims get slightly lower ratings due to equipment differences, with EPA ratings of 29 mpg for city driving and 40 mpg during highway cruises.
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2023 VW Jetta Models
Volkswagen offers the 2023 Jetta in four trim levels S, Sport, SE, and SEL. All models are powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and produce 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque and are only available with front-wheel drive.
A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the S and Sport trims, while the others come with an eight-speed automatic.
S
The Jetta line starts with the base model featuring this equipment:
- LED headlights
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- 6.5-inch touch screen
- Two USB ports
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
- Four-speaker sound system
- The digital instrument cluster (8-inch screen)
- Volkswagen Car-Net mobile app with remote start, door locking/unlocking, parking locator, and other functions
The S also comes with standard advanced driver aids which include:
- Blind spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot when changing lanes or when reversing)
- Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and brakes in certain scenarios)
Volkswagen offers an affordable IQ.Drive package for S trim models with automatic transmission. This augments the car’s standard driver aids with:
- Active blind spot monitor (warns you if a vehicle in the next lane is in your blind spot and can add steering assistance to prevent lane changes)
- Lane-keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help the vehicle stay centered in its lane)
- Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Jetta and the car in front)
- Emergency assistance (identifies an unresponsive driver and brings the Jetta to a safe stop with flashing hazard lights)
Sport
The Sport trim adds several cosmetic and performance upgrades, including:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- XDS cross differential lock (improves traction when accelerating out of corners)
- The glossy black front grille
- Black window trim, mirror caps, and headliner
- Front accent lights
- Sporty front seats with contrast stitching
- Rear seat center armrest with cupholders
- 60/40-split folding rear seats
Similar to the Jetta S, the Jetta Sport with automatic transmission is eligible for the IQ.Drive driver assistance technology package.
SE
Includes all IQ. Drive driver aids as standard equipment, along with:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Remote engine start
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Simulated leather upholstery
- Power-adjustable driver’s seat
- Heated front seats
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Keyless entry with start button
SEL
Top of the line for the Jetta by the way:
- Adaptive headlights (rotate when you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in corners)
- Sunroof
- Automatic high beam
- Heated outside mirrors
- Driving mode selector
- Driver’s seat memory settings
- Upgraded infotainment system with 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, and voice control
- Larger digital instrument cluster (10.25-inch screen)
- Wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- The wireless smartphone charging pad
- Three USB-C ports
- Nine-speaker Beats Audio sound system
- Leather seats
- Ventilated front seats
- Heated rear seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Ambient cabin lighting with 10 colors
Safety Ratings and Features
The mechanically identical 2023 Jetta earned NHTSA’s highest overall score of five-star safety ratings, with five stars in the side impact test and four in the front impact and rollover tests. In the IIHS evaluation, the small sedan earned Good scores in all crashworthiness categories. But the institute also gave the car less-than-stellar ratings for headlights, seat belt reminders, and child seat tether anchors.
Standard active safety features in the base Jetta include automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic monitoring. On the Jetta SE trim level, Volkswagen adds
adaptive cruise control and a lane-keeping system, which is optional on lower trims. SEL models take adaptive high beams.
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2023 Volkswagen Jetta Price
We expect not so much of a price increase on the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta.
- S $22,750
- Sport $23,650
- SE $26,480
- SEL $30,480
