2015 Volkswagen Jetta [A Quick Review]

The 2015 VW Jetta SE, which has long been Volkswagen’s best-selling vehicle, becomes even better this year, with fresh looks, an enhanced interior, and a variety of new safety systems like blind-spot recognition and forward-collision warning.

The Jetta SE comes with three gasoline engine options (two of which are turbocharged), as well as a hybrid model and a clean diesel that gets up to 46 mpg on the highway.

The VW Jetta competes against a bevy of compact new cars and midsize sedans, including the classic Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, the roomier Chevrolet Cruze and Hyundai Elantra, and the sporty Ford Focus, Dodge Dart, and Mazda3, with costs ranging from the early teens to the low $30K range.

What are the issues with Volkswagen Jettas?

Many Jetta models from 1996 to 2002, 2004 to 2006, and 2008 to 2014 experienced misfiring engines due to ignition coil, spark plug, and ignition wire failure.

Engine power loss, an illuminated check engine light, and blue smoke emanating.

From the exhaust, it has all been reported by owners of the affected models.

Pricing for a Used 2015 Volkswagen Jetta

The MSRP range may transform a Jetta V into a sub-$18,000 budget car or a $30,000-plus sedan with amenities and performance comparable to that of an entry-level luxury car.

The Jetta Hybrid is priced at roughly $32,500 when fully loaded.

A TDI engine diesel model, which starts at roughly $22,500 with the manual transmission, is a good choice for anyone looking for a fuel-efficient vehicle.

In lesser trims, the Jetta competes well with the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Chevrolet Cruze, and Subaru Impreza, but it falls short of the Nissan Sentra, Dodge Dart, and Kia Forte, which all have lower starting pricing.

The VW Jetta is likely to have a marginal to fair resale value, with diesels performing best and hybrid variants performing worst.

Getting Behind the Wheel of a Used 2015 Volkswagen Jetta

The driving experience behind the wheel of the 2015 VW Jetta sedan differs depending on what’s under the hood.

The 2.0-liter engine in the standard model isn’t particularly exciting, but you can upgrade to the 1.8-liter turbocharged engine for a big increase in power and efficiency.

The GLI’s 2.0-liter turbocharged engine produces 210 horsepower and comes with a smooth 6-speed manual transmission.

Of course, with 236 lb-ft of torque, the TDI clean diesel is no wimp, and neither is the Hybrid with its turbocharged 1.4-liter engine and electric assist motor.

All Jettas have outstanding driving manners, superb steering and braking input, and the ability to round curves with ease.

The GLI has the best handling, although the ride is a little rough.

Although the Hybrid’s brakes seemed to grasp abruptly due to the regenerative-braking technology, we preferred the Jetta TDI and Hybrid trims.

Interior Convenience

The 5-passenger 2015 Volkswagen Jetta sedan boasts acceptable interior space for a tiny car, while rear-seat legroom lags behind the Hyundai Elantra and Chevy Cruze.

The quantity of cargo space behind the back seat is particularly impressive.

The sedan’s trunk is larger, with 15.5 cubic feet, and the back seats fold down for even more space.

The interior of the Jetta may be described as “minimalist-chic,” with advanced technology and a plethora of high-quality materials laid out in a straightforward, easy-to-use structure devoid of many buttons and unnecessarily confusing screens.

Exterior Design

In comparison to design-focused competitors like the Mazda3, Hyundai Elantra, and even the 2015 Dodge Dart, the newest Jetta is elegantly conservative.

The 2015 Volkswagen Jetta SE and Chevrolet Cruze are, in fact, dressed as the grownups at the dinner party when contrasted to the many contenders in this sector.

Is this attractive to you?

Whether you like Josh Groban or Bruno Mars is a personal choice. If you’re in the former camp, the Jetta’s clean lines, which we hope to age well, will appeal to you.

With a honeycomb grille, 17-inch alloy wheels, smoked taillights, and dual exhaust tips, GLI models up the ante.

Favorite Elements

MODELS WITH TDI DIESEL ENGINES

VW has been doing diesel for longer than any of its competitors, and the 2015 Jetta’s 2.0-liter TDI is simply the best we’ve tested.

The New Jetta TDI SE powertrain is far smoother and more responsive than the Chevy Cruze diesel, making you wonder why you’ve never considered diesel before.

TURBOCHARGED GASOLINE ENGINE (1.8T)

The 2015 Volkswagen Jetta sedan’s newest turbocharged engine offers GLI-like performance without the high price tag.

Best of all, the 115-horsepower base engine offers nearly 36 mpg, so there’s no real cost for upgrading.

Features that come as standard

Air conditioning, power windows/doors/mirrors, keyless entry, 15-inch steel wheels, Bluetooth, and an AM/FM/CD audio player with auxiliary input are all standard on VW’s 2015 VW Jetta S.

For about $2,000 more, you can obtain a 1.8T SE variant with cruise control, leatherette interior with heated front seats, push-button start, heated washer nozzles, and a 6-speaker sound system with iPod adaptor, in addition to a terrific engine.

Navigation, power driver’s seat, Fender premium audio, automatic climate control, and keyless entry and start are all standard on SEL trims.

Forward collision warning, rear traffic alert and rear cross traffic alert are one of the most key features on jetta model.

Two years/24,000 miles of complimentary maintenance are included.

Options available from the manufacturer

Apart from a 6-speed automatic transmission, the 2015 Jetta sedan’s most desirable features are only available in higher trim levels.

Sunroof, navigation system, VW’s Car-Net connectivity service, push-button start, touch-screen radio, power driver’s seat, and rearview camera are just a few of the features available.

Top-of-the-line Volkswagen Jetta GLI and Hybrid models cost roughly $30,000 and include bi-xenon headlights, automatic climate control, and a Fender premium audio system.

The Driver Assistance System, which incorporates blind spot recognition, rear cross traffic alert, forward collision warning, and park distance control, is new for this year for safety ratings.

Transmission & Engine

The 2015 Volkswagen Jetta car comes with five engine options.

The unimpressive 4-cylinder engine is only found in the base S sedan and is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic with Sport mode.

You can have VW’s 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission by moving up a model level.

The most powerful engine in the series, a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with 210 horsepower, is used in GLI versions. It comes with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission.

The New Volkswagen Hybrid is powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Hybrid cars, like the GLI, demand premium fuel.

The TDI variants have a 2.0-liter turbodiesel 4-cylinder engine with a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission.

• 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (Jetta S)
• At 5,200 rpm, the engine produces 115 horsepower.
• Torque: 125 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
• EPA city/highway mileage: 25/34 mpg (manual), 23/34 mpg (automatic) (automatic)

• Inline-4 turbocharged 1.8 liter
• At 6,200 rpm, the engine produces 170 horsepower.
• Torque: 184 lb-ft @ 1,500-4,750 rpm
• 25/37 EPA city/highway fuel economy

• Inline-4 turbocharged 2.0 liter (GLI only)
• At 5,300 rpm, the engine produces 210 horsepower.
• Torque: 207 lb-ft @ 1,700 rpm
• EPA city/highway mileage: 23/33 mpg (manual), 24/32 mpg (automatic) (automatic)

• Inline-4 turbodiesel 2.0 liter (TDI)
• At 3,500 rpm, the engine produces 150 horsepower.
• Torque: 236 lb-ft @ 1,750 rpm
• EPA city/highway mileage: 31/46 mpg (manual), 31/45 mpg (automatic) (automatic)

• 1.4-liter inline-4 turbocharged + electric motor (Jetta Hybrid)
• 170 horses per minute (combined)
• At 1,000-4,500 rpm, 184 lb-ft of torque (combined)
• EPA estimates for city/highway fuel economy are 42/48 mpg.

Other Volkswagen Models

• Volkswagen Beetle
• Volkswagen Golf
• Volkswagen Atlas

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)