DecodedCars2025 Volkswagen Jetta
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2025 models.
- Class
- Compact Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan, Gli 4dr Sedan
- Engines
- 1.5L 4-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 158–228 hp
- Transmission
- 8-speed automatic, 6-speed manual
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 33 combined · 29 city / 40 hwy
- Length
- 185.8 in
- Curb weight
- 2,976–3,225 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 33 MPG combined — 15% better than the average 2025 compact car (28.6 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
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 20 similar 2025 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta is a compact car offered with a 1.5L 4-cyl turbo engine 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 33 MPG combined (29 city / 40 highway), 15% better than the 2025 compact car average of 28.6 MPG, for an estimated $2,050 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.
What changed for 2025
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2024 Jetta — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2024; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2024 Jetta →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Puebla, Puebla
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2025 Jetta configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan | 185.8 in | 71.3 in | 57.5 in | 105.9 in | 60.6 / 60.6 in | 2,976 lb | 59/41 |
| Gli 4dr Sedan | 185.8 in | 71.3 in | 57.5 in | 105.9 in | 60.6 / 60.6 in | 3,225 lb | 59/41 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jetta Sport/SE/SEL | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 / 40 / 33 | +15% | $2,050 | 271 |
| Jetta | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 / 39 / 33 | +15% | $2,050 | 271 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2025 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 13% |
Similar 2025 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Volkswagen Jetta (this car) | 33 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2025 Toyota Corolla | 50 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2025 Honda Civic | 49 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2025 Honda Accord | 48 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2025 Toyota Camry | 51 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2025 Toyota Prius | 57 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2025 Mazda 3 | 31 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (2)
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel · Mar 25, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V185000 · 75,323 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Jetta and Taos vehicles. The instrument panel may fail to display warning lights or gauges. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
- Risk
- An instrument panel that does not display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the instrument panel software and replace the instrument panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 90Z5. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 22, 2026.
Electrical System › Wiring · Mar 11, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V138000 · 48,165 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Jetta vehicles. The transmission ground wire may not have been properly connected during assembly, causing an open electrical circuit.
- Risk
- An open circuit may draw a higher current and increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and repair transmission ground wire as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97TC. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 13, 2026.
Not every 2025 Volkswagen Jetta is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2025 Volkswagen Jetta buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Power Train — 7 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control — 5 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 5 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Jetta years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Jetta | 34 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Jetta | 34 | 185.8 in | Not rated | 1 | 6 |
| 2024 Jetta | 34 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 46 |
| 2023 Jetta | 35 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 43 |
| 2022 Jetta | 35 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 43 |
| 2021 Jetta | 34 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 70 |
| 2020 Jetta | 34 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 54 |
| 2019 Jetta | 34 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 11 | 549 |
| 2018 Jetta | 33 | – | ★★★★★ | 2 | 32 |
| 2017 Jetta | 33 | 183.1 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 160 |
| 2016 Jetta | 44 | 183.1 in | Not rated | 4 | 164 |
| 2015 Jetta | 44 | 183.1 in | Not rated | 8 | 197 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volkswagen. How we calculate this →