2022 Volkswagen Jetta — Carivo review Representative photo — may show another model year
Sedan

2022 Volkswagen Jetta

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $21,211–$27,450
Fuel Economy 31 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category Sedan
Est. Annual Fuel $1,694/yr
The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta scores 7.5/10 at Carivo, ranking #585 of 1310 sedans, with 1 NHTSA recall on record and an estimated $1,694/year fuel cost.

Key Specifications — 2022 Volkswagen Jetta

Engine1.5L 4-Cylinder
TransmissionAutomatic (S8)
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Fuel TypeRegular
City / Hwy MPG31 / 41 MPG
Combined MPG35 MPG
Est. Annual Fuel Cost$1,700
CO₂ Emissions256 g/mi
Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSedan
Base Price$21,211–$27,450

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta

Our scoring places the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta at 7.5/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this sedan. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.8/10, while Performance at 6.6/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 8.8/10, reliability is one of this sedan's best cards — few vehicles in our database score higher on this dimension. The safety score of 7.4/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.

Performance at 6.6/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. The cabin tech earns 8.6/10 — infotainment, smartphone integration, and driver-assistance are all close to the best this class offers.

Priced from $21,211–$27,450, 31 MPG, seating 5, the Volkswagen Jetta sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. The 7.2/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 4 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.

Our take: The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta is a solid, well-rounded sedan that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. The main caveat is performance — worth checking if those dimensions are priorities for you. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.

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 →

How It Ranks Among Sedans

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta ranks #585 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 55% of the segment. Its 7.5/10 overall score is exactly at the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $21,211 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 23%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $25k →

5-Year Cost Snapshot — 2022 Volkswagen Jetta

Fuel (75,000 miles)~$8,470 ($1,694/year at $3.50/gal)
Recall repairs$0 — 1 campaign on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
InsuranceVaries widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying

We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.

Which Jetta Year Should You Buy?

Smart-money pick: the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta scores 7.4/10 — within striking distance of the 2022's 7.5 — and starts roughly $2,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.

YearScoreStarting 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 (this review) 7.5/10$21,211
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 7.3/10$17,130 Read review →
2015 7.2/10$16,472 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2022 Volkswagen Jetta

✓ What it does well

  • Proven long-term reliability — lower unplanned repair costs than class average
  • Best-in-class infotainment, driver assistance, and connectivity features
  • Accessible entry price makes it one of the more affordable options in the category

✗ Where it falls short

  • Driving dynamics are adequate but uninspiring; not the choice for enthusiast drivers
  • Brand resale values vary — check current market data before committing

NHTSA Recalls — 2022 Volkswagen Jetta (1 on record)

The following recall campaign has been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.

Back over prevention / sensing system / camera
20/07/2022 · 22V514000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory…

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

Own a 2022 Volkswagen Jetta that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →

Common Questions — 2022 Volkswagen Jetta

Is the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?

We rate the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta's reliability 8.8/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 1 NHTSA recall campaign on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).

How many recalls does the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta have?

1 NHTSA recall campaign matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta worth buying?

It scores 7.5/10 overall, ranking #585 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 55% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.

How much does the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta cost?

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta starts at $21,211 and ranges up to $27,450 across trims (MSRP when new). At 31 MPG, expect roughly $1,694/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

Which Jetta years should you avoid?

Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest Jetta years we've rated are 2015 (7.2/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (7.7/10). See the full year table above before deciding.

What problems does the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta have?

The documented issues for the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Back over prevention (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.

Owner Essentials — Volkswagen Jetta

Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

All-weather floor mats → Dash cam → OBD2 scanner → Phone mount →

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