New for 2015

For 2015, the Jetta gets revised styling, an updated optional diesel engine, and an array of new driver-assistance systems.

Variety is the Spice of Life

Volkswagen’s position as the only mainstream German car brand in the U.S. means the 2015 Jetta will get a lot of attention for the build quality and good design normally associated with cars from that country.

All of that is true, but the Jetta should also be on your list because of the sheer variety of options available. From diesel, hybrid, and turbocharged gasoline powertrains to a list of features befitting a luxury car, Volkswagen has you covered with the Jetta.

Powertrains and Performance

Whether you want thrift, efficiency, or performance, there’s a Jetta for you.

Base models features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 115 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque. It’s connected to either a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission and, as in all Jetta models, front-wheel drive. EPA-rated fuel economy is 29 mpg combined (25 mpg city, 37 mpg highway) with the manual transmission.* The automatic gains 1 mpg in the combined category.

Next up is the 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which produces 170 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. It’s available with the same transmission options as the naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter, earning EPA ratings of 28 mpg combined (25 mpg city, 34 mpg highway) with the manual,* and 26 mpg combined (23 mpg city, 34 mpg highway) with the automatic.*

The Jetta is also one of a handful of cars offered in the U.S. with a diesel engine. Upgraded for 2015, this 2.0-liter TDI turbocharged four-cylinder makes 150 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is quite impressive at 36 mpg combined (31 mpg city, 46 mpg highway) with the TDI’s six-speed manual transmission.* The six-speed automatic loses 1 mpg in the highway category.

Another fuel-saving option is the Jetta Hybrid. It offers a 1.4-liter gasoline four-cylinder engine and electric motor, which put out a combined 170 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. The Hybrid can also drive on electric power at speeds up to 37 mph. With the mandatory seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission, it gets 45 mpg combined (42 mpg city, 48 mpg highway).*

If you’re more interested in having fun than saving fuel, there’s also a 2.0-liter turbocharged four offered in the sporty Jetta GLI model. This little firecracker produces 210 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque, and comes with either a six-speed manual, or a six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic. It returns 26 mpg combined (23 mpg city, 33 mpg highway) with the manual,* and 27 mpg combined (24 mpg city, 32 mpg highway) with the DSG.

Features and Trims

The 2015 Volkswagen Jetta is only available as a four-door, five-seat sedan. VW does offer a Jetta Sportwagen, but this is based on an older version of the car. Prices start at $16,215** and go up through four main trim levels with a few sub-models between them.

That price buys a Base model with the five-speed manual transmission, 15-inch steel wheels, power windows, and cloth seats. Note that this model is only available through factory orders.

That means if you stroll onto a lot, the cheapest Jetta you’ll most likely find is the S. It comes standard with Bluetooth, a multifunction steering wheel, and heated, power-adjustable exterior mirrors, among other features. A Technology upgrade adds a rearview camera, pushbutton start, and a touchscreen audio system.

Next up is the SE which in addition to the applicable standard features from the Base and S models, includes standard 16-inch alloy wheels, electric power steering, heated front seats, and a Media Device Interface with iPod adapter.

Building in turn on the SE is the SE with Connectivity, which adds V-Tex leatherette upholstery, a rear-seat pass through, leather-wrapped steering wheel, a sunroof, and VW’s Car Net connectivity system. A Sport model includes most of the same features with some new styling details, including interior contrast stitching.

The penultimate Jetta model is the SE with Connectivity and Navigation. As the name implies, it includes navigation, keyless access, and an available Driver Assistance packages (see below) on top of the features from the SE with Connectivity.

Finally, there’s the SEL. On top of the applicable standard features from all of the other models, it adds sport seats a Fender premium audio system, and automatic dual-zone climate control.

Keep in mind that not every powertrain option is available with every trim level; the dizzying array of engine and trim-level combinations is too long to list here.

Exterior/Interior

The Jetta’s exterior styling is clean and handsome. It doesn’t need any flashy bits to look good. The steeply raked windshield and rigorous emphasis on horizontal lines gives the Jetta a very modern look. The minimalist slant is uniquely German, and should prove appealing to customers who are tired of the hyper-stylized sedans littering the marketplace.

Thanks to a fairly long (104.4-inch) wheelbase, there’s also plenty of room on the inside—including 37.1 inches of rear legroom. There’s also a useful 15.5 cubic feet of trunk space, and a 60/40 split-folding rear setback for accommodating larger items.

Safety

Standard safety equipment on the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta includes anti-lock brakes, stability and traction controls, and front, side, and side-curtain airbags. The new-for-2015 Driver Assistance Package also adds several electronic driver aids, including: blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning.

Bottom Line

With an impressive list of powertrain options and standard features, the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta offers everything you could want in a compact sedan.

Throw in a dizzying array of options and engine choices, and you should have no trouble finding a Jetta to compliment your lifestyle.

For more information, or to schedule a test drive, visit or contact our dealership today.

*EPA estimates. Your mileage will vary and depends on several factors, including your driving habits and vehicle condition.

**Starting MSRP. Prices exclude transportation, taxes, title, other options and dealer charges.

Image: Volkswagen