MSRP: From $23,995
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Overview
The 2027 Volkswagen Jetta compact sedan comes in regular (as reviewed here) and GLI flavours, with the sporty one reviewed separately. All regular Jettas share a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 158 hp, an 8-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive. It starts at a very sensible $24K and brings European refinement and handling to the compact segment, with a decent spec level that includes the IQ.Drive driver-assistance suite with automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. A major boon is its roomy cabin, which eclipses most compact rivals and challenges some midsize sedans.
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What’s New for 2027
The 2027 Jetta continues mostly unchanged, but keyless entry with push-button start and the upgraded Composition Media infotainment system with SiriusXM, six speakers, and voice control, previously standard on SE and up, are now fitted to all trims. There are no other changes.
Exterior
The Jetta isn’t terribly exciting, but looks agreeably dynamic with its big lower grille, LED headlights, and a tapered roofline that evokes fastback styling cues. A character line defines the flanks, but the base 16-inch alloys look a bit lost in the arches, a fault that’s remedied further up the range with 17s and 18s. The Sport has a darkened exterior trim and a front light bar in the grille. A Black Wheels package is offered for the SE.
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Interior
The interior looks refined and quite upscale, but closer inspection reveals that there are still some hard plastics in evidence on the doors and elsewhere. The SEL’s leather upholstery boosts the cabin ambience; lower trims make do with cloth or leatherette. The SE is the affordable entry point, but the SE cabin gains features like leatherette, heated front seats, a power driver’s seat, wireless charging, and split rear seats, making it a good bet for $27K.Â
All trims share the same infotainment system this year. It’s a little unintuitive until you learn the ropes, and the 9.0-inch screen isn’t that big, but voice control, SiriusXM, HD Radio, App-Connect, navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and 6-speaker audio. Regular trims have an 8.0-inch digital gauge cluster, but the SEL gets a configurable 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro cluster.
Headroom is only adequate, but the rear seat is very spacious for a compact car, with more than 37 inches of rear legroom challenging various mid-size sedans. The trunk holds an acceptable amount of luggage, but the base S trim’s rear seats can’t fold to expand the hold.
Price Range and Best Value Trim
The 2027 Volkswagen Jetta’s price is the same as it was last year.
| Trim | MSRP |
| Base Trim: S | $23,995 |
| Best Value: SE | $26,995 |
| Top Trim: SEL | $29,995 |
We again think the SE is the best deal. For a $3K premium over the S, it gains 17-inch alloy wheels, a power panoramic sunroof, a power driver’s seat, leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, 60/40-split rear seats, and a wireless charging pad.
2027 Volkswagen Jetta Key Specs
Powertrain Options
| Engine | Horsepower | Torque | Transmission | Drivetrain |
| 1.5L TSI Turbo I4 | 158 hp | 184 lb-ft | 8-speed automatic | FWD |
Performance and 0-60 MPH
Except for the 228-hp GLi with its 2.0-liter turbo-four and 7-speed dual-clutch auto, which we review separately, all Jettas use the same 1.5-liter turbo-four with 158 hp and an 8-speed automatic. Pickup is smooth and low-end torque is strong, but the 0-60 sprint takes around 7.1 to 8.4 seconds, depending on the trim and as-tested weight, which isn’t notably quick nowadays. The Sport has an XDS cross-differential system for better front-end grip.
Fuel Economy (MPG)
| Configuration | City | Highway | Combined |
| Jetta S | 29 | 40 | 34 |
| Jetta Sport / SE / SEL | 29 | 40 | 33 |
Usefully, the Jetta is happy on 87-octane Regular gas, saving a few dollars at the pumps.
Dimensions
Exterior Dimensions
| Dimension | Measurement |
| Length | 186.5 in. |
| Width (without mirrors) | 70.8 in. |
| Height | 57.7 in. |
| Wheelbase | 105.7 in. |
| Ground Clearance | 5.5 in. |
| Curb Weight | 2,998 lbs. |
Interior Space
| Measurement | Front Row | Second Row |
| Headroom | 37.9 – 38.5 in. | 37.2 in. |
| Legroom | 41.1 in. | 37.4 in. |
Cargo Space
The trunk holds a competitive 14.1 cu-ft, but only the trims above S have a 60/40-split rear seat that can fold down to expand the space.
Warranty
| Coverage Type | Duration |
| Basic Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
| Complimentary Maintenance | 2 years / 20,000 miles |
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- 40 MPG highway MPG on regular gas
- Impressive rear legroom for a compact
- Standard IQ.Drive driver-assistance suite
- 8-speed auto superior to rival CVTs
Cons:
- No hybrid or AWD options
- Some hard plastics in base trims
- 4-year/50,000-mile powertrain warranty trails class leaders
Verdict
The Jetta is unremarkable for its middle-of-the-road powertrain and sometimes clumsy automatic transmission; some cabin plastics disappoint, and there isn’t a hybrid or AWD option. However, its genuinely roomy cabin, decent equipment level (best enjoyed in the well-balanced SE), and extensive standard safety suite still make it an excellent purchase in its segment.
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Competitors
About the author
Cobus F. Potgieter
Reviews and Features Editor