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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 2.0L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (AM-S6) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 24 / 33 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 27 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,500 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 327 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $17,130–$20,754 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta at 7.3/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this sedan. Its strongest dimension is Value at 8.9/10, while Technology at 7.7/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We score reliability at 8.0/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The 8.8/10 safety score puts it near the top of the class on this dimension; the official trim-level results at nhtsa.gov are worth a final check.
Performance scores 7.8/10 — competent for everyday use. Acceleration and handling are adequate for commuting and highway driving, though enthusiasts will want to look at higher-rated alternatives. Tech rates a reasonable 7.7/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $17,130–$20,754, 25 MPG, seating 5, the Volkswagen Jetta sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. Value is where it presses its advantage — 8.9/10, meaning the feature set and quality outrun the asking price. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2016 Volkswagen Jetta is a passable sedan but not a standout one. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2016 Volkswagen Jetta ranks #802 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 39% of the segment. Its 7.3/10 overall score is 0.2 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $17,130 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 38%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $25k →
Across the Jetta model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.7/10 | $23,241 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.7/10 | $23,241 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.6/10 | $22,565 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.6/10 | $21,888 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.5/10 | $21,211 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.5/10 | $20,534 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.6/10 | $19,857 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.4/10 | $19,180 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.4/10 | $18,503 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.3/10 | $17,788 | Read review → |
| 2016 (this review) | 7.3/10 | $17,130 | |
| 2015 | 7.2/10 | $16,472 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Fuel system, gasoline / Fuel injection system / Fuel rail 21/10/2020 · 20V648000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Jetta vehicles. The fuel rail bolts may become loose over time, allowing fuel to leak. |
|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulic / Foundation components / Master cylinder 23/09/2020 · 20E064000 | Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master… |
| Electrical system / Ignition / Anti-theft / Control module 22/08/2019 · 19V615000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual… |
| Fuel system, gasoline / Fuel injection system / Fuel rail 06/06/2016 · 16V403000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jetta vehicles manufactured October 31, 2015, to January 21, 2016, 2016 Passat vehicles, equipped with 1.8T engines manufactured November 13, 2015, to December 9, 2015, and… |
| Engine and engine cooling / Engine 26/10/2015 · 15V705000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta's reliability 8.0/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
5 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.3/10 overall, ranking #802 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 39% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2016 Volkswagen Jetta starts at $17,130 and ranges up to $20,754 across trims (MSRP when new). At 25 MPG, expect roughly $2,100/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Other sedans at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Volkswagen models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
