2021 Volkswagen Jetta Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Overview
The Volkswagen Jetta blends comfortable commuter car characteristics with German precision in an attractive package with plenty to like....
The Volkswagen Jetta blends comfortable commuter car characteristics with German precision in an attractive package with plenty to like. Though VW offers the sedan in a sporty GLI format, most variants are just solid everyday cars. The 2021 Jetta doesn’t get any changes, but VW’s newest infotainment software does make an appearance in higher trims. Competition includes the Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Corolla, and Honda Civic.
Volkswagen equips every Jetta with a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive are standard, but VW also offers an eight-speed automatic transmission. Though 147 horsepower sounds puny, the Jetta doesn’t feel massively underpowered. It’s plenty quick for running errands around town, and it does fine on the highway, though passing does take a little more effort than expected.
The Jetta delivers a sedate but comfortable ride and stays relatively quiet in most situations. There’s little sportiness to its handling, however, as the sedan exhibits plenty of body roll when driven hard. Others in its class are more engaging to drive, especially the Mazda3, but for most, the VW offers exactly what a compact sedan should.
Top trims of the 2021 Jetta get Volkswagen’s newest MIB3 infotainment system, which runs on an 8-inch glass display. The colorful interface brings wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with multi-phone pairing and voice recognition. The Jetta SEL adds navigation, JD Radio, SiriusXM radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The S, SE, and R-Line trims come with a 6.5-inch screen that runs the older MIB2 system. It includes USB-C inputs, Bluetooth, and an SD card reader.
Starting with the SEL trim, the Jetta comes with VW’s Digital Cockpit. The ten-inch display is configurable to show various vehicle statuses, maps, audio and infotainment data, and phone information. The views are selectable using a button on the steering wheel and can be changed on the go. Buyers can opt in to VW’s Car-Net program, which offers subscription-based benefits such as enhanced navigation and other online features.
Though it missed out on a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Jetta picked up “Good” scores in all crash test categories and a “Superior” score for vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention. Most advanced safety features are reserved for added-cost options packages. Only a backup camera and post-collision braking are standard. Others, including forward-collision warnings and automatic emergency braking, become standard after the base S trim. Available tech includes blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams.
The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta is on sale now. It comes with a starting price of $19,990. The R-Line starts at $23,790, the SE at $23,890, the SEL at $26,740, and the SEL Premium at $29,040.
What owners say
"Overall, drivers are quite pleased with the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta, particularly appreciating its great gas mileage, comfort, and performance. Many found it to be affordable and well-featured for a base model. However, some drivers wished for additional features like built-in navigation. The general consensus is favorable, highlighting the value and quality associated with Volkswagen."
The backup camera, the digital speedometer, the exceptional gas mileage even at interstate speeds, the quality of the paint and the interior and the stop/start button are the features that made the Jetta a great ride! Yes, I think Jetta is a good value and if I decide to buy a vehicle of its class, I have to rate it as a first choice, even though I have NOT researched any other cars in that class. German quality cannot be overlooked. I have a notion that Americans may have developed an unfair view regarding Volkswagen products partially because of the diesel uproar. I also wonder how much bad-mouthing by US manufacturers has been in play to give VW a bad name. No man-made product is perfect, however German companies like VW do make superior products because they try to make cars with options wanted by value-seeking motorists. Volkswagen is a company that has survived and grown in spite of marketing upsets, especially when one considers the recent history of US manufacturers, who have dropped models simply because they have failed to adapt and often make products that do not cut it.
May 4, 2023Great features and gas mileage is amazing, in like new condition
January 21, 2023Nicely featured base model with peppy engine. Got 44.7 MPG on way home from dealer.
December 6, 2021What owners say
The backup camera, the digital speedometer, the exceptional gas mileage even at interstate speeds, the quality of the paint and the interior and the stop/start button are the features that made the Jetta a great ride! Yes, I think Jetta is a good value and if I decide to buy a vehicle of its class, I have to rate it as a first choice, even though I have NOT researched any other cars in that class. German quality cannot be overlooked. I have a notion that Americans may have developed an unfair view regarding Volkswagen products partially because of the diesel uproar. I also wonder how much bad-mouthing by US manufacturers has been in play to give VW a bad name. No man-made product is perfect, however German companies like VW do make superior products because they try to make cars with options wanted by value-seeking motorists. Volkswagen is a company that has survived and grown in spite of marketing upsets, especially when one considers the recent history of US manufacturers, who have dropped models simply because they have failed to adapt and often make products that do not cut it.
May 4, 2023Great features and gas mileage is amazing, in like new condition
January 21, 2023Nicely featured base model with peppy engine. Got 44.7 MPG on way home from dealer.
December 6, 2021Good value. I have had several VW Jettas. Excellent starter vehicle for a young person.
June 8, 2023It’s a great base model , affordable . Gets great gas mileage
February 23, 2022Nice car. Drive solidly. Mileage was low. Wished it had navigation. Seems like nearly every car over the past 4 or5 years have it. We were considering it, but it sold before we could close the sale. Price was decent.
February 6, 2024Trims & specs
Base MSRP $28,045 | Seating 5 |
Engine 1.4L 147 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 14.1 cu ft |
Combined MPG 34 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $22,895 | Seating 5 |
Engine 1.4L 147 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 14.1 cu ft |
Combined MPG 34 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $25,745 | Seating 5 |
Engine 1.4L 147 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 14.1 cu ft |
Combined MPG 34 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $22,795 | Seating 5 |
Engine 1.4L 147 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 14.1 cu ft |
Combined MPG 34 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $18,995 | Seating 5 |
Engine 1.4L 147 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 14.1 cu ft |
Combined MPG 34 | Drivetrain FWD |
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Pricing trends
MSRP range
$18,995 - $28,045
Current avg. market price
$15,196
Trending down by 1.1% this month
May 2026 - November 2026
