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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 | 326 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $17,788–$20,786 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2017 Volkswagen Jetta is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 7.3/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Value at 8.5/10, while Safety at 6.8/10 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. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 8.2/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety is a notable gap at 6.8/10 in our scoring — below what the best in segment deliver. Check the official NHTSA ratings for the trim you're considering before deciding.
With 7.4/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. At 7.7/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $17,788–$20,786, 26 MPG, seating 5, the Volkswagen Jetta sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. Its value score of 8.5/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 9 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2017 Volkswagen Jetta sits in the middle of the field. Until its safety scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
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 2017 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 $17,788 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 36%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Across the Jetta model years we've scored, the 2017 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 (this review) | 7.3/10 | $17,788 | |
| 2016 | 7.3/10 | $17,130 | Read review → |
| 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… |
| Equipment / Other / Labels 31/05/2017 · 17V352000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Jetta vehicles. The affected vehicles have Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) markings on the body that do not match the VIN plate near the windshield. As such, these vehicles fail… |
| Engine and engine cooling / Engine 03/02/2017 · 17V070000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Jetta vehicles equipped with a 1.4L engine. These vehicles have an engine that may seize due to an improper casting of the block. |
Showing 5 of 7 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
Explore the full lineup of Volkswagen models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.