2020 Volkswagen Jetta

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.

Volkswagen Jetta
Pictured: 2025 Volkswagen Jetta SEL, front 3.28.25. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Compact Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan, Gli 4dr Sedan
Engines
1.4L 4-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Horsepower
147–228 hp
Transmission
8-speed automatic, 6-speed manual, 7-speed automatic
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Seats
5
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
34 combined · 30 city / 40 hwy
Length
185.8 in
Curb weight
2,976–3,225 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
6 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 34 MPG combined — 25% better than the average 2020 compact car (27.3 MPG).
  • 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Watch out for

  • 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 2). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 31 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2020 Volkswagen Jetta is a compact car offered with 2 engines (1.4L 4-cyl turbo and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 186 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,976 lb (4dr Sedan).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 34 MPG combined (30 city / 40 highway), 25% better than the 2020 compact car average of 27.3 MPG, for an estimated $1,950 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 54 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

What changed for 2020

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2019 Jetta — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2019; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2019 Jetta →

Trims, performance & features

Engine147 hp1.4L turbo 4-cyl
Engine228 hp2.0L turbo 4-cyl
Transmission8-speed automatic · 6-speed manual · 7-speed automatic
DriveFWD
Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

S, SE, R-LineS, R-LineSELGLI (S, Autobahn)

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Blind-spot monitoringStandard
Rear cross-traffic alertStandard
Lane departure warningStandard
Lane keeping assistStandard
Adaptive cruise controlStandard
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Keyless startStandard
LED headlightsYes

Built in: Puebla, Mexico

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2020 Jetta configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan185.8 in71.3 in57.5 in105.9 in60.6 / 60.6 in2,976 lb59/41
Gli 4dr Sedan185.8 in71.3 in57.5 in105.9 in60.6 / 60.6 in3,225 lb59/41

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Jetta1.4L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)Front-Wheel Drive30 / 40 / 34+25%$1,950263
Jetta1.4L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive30 / 40 / 34+25%$1,950262
Jetta2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive25 / 33 / 28+3%$2,400319
Jetta2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)Front-Wheel Drive25 / 32 / 28+3%$2,400315
8/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
8/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $2,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
27.3 MPG2020 Compact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2020 Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★4★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★13.1%
StandardElectronic stability control
OptionalForward collision warning
Not availableLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2020 Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash test — 2020 Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2020 Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD
Side crash test — 2020 Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2020 compact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2020 Volkswagen Jetta (this car)34 MPG★★★★★6
2020 Toyota Corolla52 MPG★★★★★6
2020 Honda Civic36 MPG★★★★★5
2020 Honda Accord48 MPGNot rated6
2020 Toyota Camry52 MPG★★★★★3
2020 Nissan GT-R18 MPGNot rated0
2020 Toyota Prius56 MPG★★★★★0

Recalls (6)

Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 14, 2024

NHTSA campaign 24V110000 · 261,257 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7 vehicles. Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.
Risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix
Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are VW: 20UF/Audi: 20YF. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-647 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 16V-647.
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch · Aug 30, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V604000 · 62,538 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf Sportwagen, 2019-2020 Golf GTI, and Jetta vehicles equipped with a conventional ignition switch. The ignition switch may fail, especially in high temperature environments.
Risk
Ignition switch failure can cause the electrical system to shut down and the engine to stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 1, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 28H7.
Tires › Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems · Oct 31, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V815000 · 296,044 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
Risk
An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi’s customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.
Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module · Jun 30, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V492000 · 379 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Jetta and Jetta GLI vehicles. The air bag control module was welded in the incorrect position.
Risk
Incorrect positioning of the air bag control module can cause the vehicle's air bags to deploy improperly during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, the vehicle's air bags can deploy unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 28, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69CK.
Seats · Aug 26, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V505000 · 5,376 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen ) is recalling certain 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Jetta, Jetta GLI and Tiguan and Audi Q5 and SQ5 and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. Parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster may not have been welded properly.
Risk
In the event of a rear-end crash, the backrest adjustment could break, possibly reducing the amount of occupant restraint, thus increasing risk of injury.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats, and, as necessary, replace the seatback frames, free of charge. The recall began September 11, 2020. Volkswagen owners may contact their customer service at 1-888-241-2289. Audi owners may contact their customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 72L1, 72K8, and 72K9.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper · Jun 17, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V359000 · 1 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling one 2020 Jetta vehicle. The front brake caliper bolts may come loose.
Risk
If a brake caliper bolt comes loose, it may affect the vehicle's brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify the owner, and a dealer will replace all four front brake caliper bolts, free of charge. The recall began July 1, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47Q2.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2020 Volkswagen Jetta is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

54Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
1Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
2Injuries reported
7,902 miTypical mileage at failure
Electrical System15
Unknown Or Other13
Engine12
Service Brakes7
Power Train7
Fuel/Propulsion System5
Steering4
Vehicle Speed Control3
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
22/12: 223/07: 323/09: 223/10: 123/11: 124/01: 124/02: 124/03: 124/04: 124/05: 224/06: 224/07: 324/08: 124/12: 225/01: 125/07: 125/08: 125/10: 125/11: 126/02: 126/04: 226/05: 126/09: 226/10: 122/1223/1024/0224/0524/0825/0725/1126/05max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2020 Volkswagen Jetta buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 15 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Engine — 12 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Service Brakes — 7 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 7,902 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Jetta years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Jetta34–Not rated00
2026 Jetta34185.8 inNot rated16
2025 Jetta33185.8 in★★★★★232
2024 Jetta34185.8 in★★★★★046
2023 Jetta35185.8 in★★★★★043
2022 Jetta35185.8 in★★★★★143
2021 Jetta34185.8 in★★★★★470
2019 Jetta34185.8 in★★★★★11550
2018 Jetta33–★★★★★232
2017 Jetta33183.1 in★★★★★6160
2016 Jetta44183.1 in★★★★★4164
2015 Jetta44183.1 in★★★★★8197

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volkswagen. How we calculate this →