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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 1.5L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 29 / 39 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 33 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,050 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 271 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $23,241–$27,508 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta at 7.7/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this sedan. Its strongest dimension is Technology at 8.6/10, while Safety 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. We score reliability at 7.4/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. Safety is a notable gap at 6.6/10 in our scoring — below what the best in segment deliver. Check the official NHTSA ratings for the trim you're considering before deciding.
Performance at 6.8/10 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 $23,241–$27,508, 34 MPG, seating 5, the Volkswagen Jetta sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. The 7.9/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 1 year old, it's recent enough that the core feature set holds up well against current competition.
Our take: The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta is a solid, well-rounded sedan that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. The main caveat is performance and safety — 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 →
The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta ranks #428 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 67% of the segment. Its 7.7/10 overall score is 0.2 points above the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $23,241 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 16%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $25k →
Smart-money pick: the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta scores 7.5/10 — within striking distance of the 2025's 7.7 — 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.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.7/10 | $23,241 | Read review → |
| 2025 (this review) | 7.7/10 | $23,241 | |
| 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 | 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.
| Electrical system / Wiring 11/03/2026 · 26V138000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Jetta vehicles. The transmission ground wire may not have been properly connected during assembly, causing an open electrical circuit. |
|---|---|
| Electrical system / instrument cluster/panel 25/03/2026 · 26V185000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Jetta and Taos vehicles. The instrument panel may fail to display warning lights or gauges. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta's reliability 7.4/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
2 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 7.7/10 overall, ranking #428 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 67% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta starts at $23,241 and ranges up to $27,508 across trims (MSRP when new). At 34 MPG, expect roughly $1,544/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Volkswagen models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.