They may not be as popular as SUV/crossovers, but we’ve had a good run on sedans lately here at Car_Revs_Daily. The Kia Forte GT (soon to be replaced by the K5), and Honda Civic Si have been strong reminders that affordable fun can still be had in small 4-doors. And now we have the 2025 VW Jetta – while it’s not the GLI, a true-high performance European sedan, we’ve just spent our holidays in the luxurious SEL model, and with a fresh look and enhanced value, we’ve had plenty to celebrate!
Euro-fresh Looks
There’s a definite freshness to the looks, especially at the front, with a new crispness thanks to new LED headlights that slide into a slimmer upper grille, while the lower grille has a wider trapezoidal shape and new side gills that looks more aggressive. An available light bar brings some added bling.
The profile remains familiar, a handsome, tasteful design with a purposeful shoulder line that flows across the top of the fenders. The real change are the new-design 18-inch alloy wheels on the SEL, with a throwing star, multi-spoke design with a cool machine finish that really catches the eye.
The rear gets a nice update, too, with a new trunk lid with a standard light bar connecting the taillights. Below the familiar VW badge is new block lettering spelling out J E T T A, an upscale and modern look over the previous small lettering in the lower corner of the trunk. Subtle, but effective.
We also loved our tester’s Monterey Blue Pearl paint job. A new color (along with Monument Gray), the Blue is a rich and creamy color that gives off an upscale presence and is such a nice change of pace from all the silvers and grays you see on the roads today. All in all, the 2025 Jetta is one handsome sedan!
Dashing Dash Inside
Inside the Jetta gets a fresh look as well.
There’s a new dash design, including a three-bar design across the upper dash that spans across the width of the interior including the passenger seat for a more cohesive look. The vents themselves appear larger as well.
We love the Jetta’s gauges, which look stolen from an Audi! Known as the 10.25″ VW Digital Cockpit Pro, it has a large digital display, that’s adjustable for your driving needs, including putting the navigation screen dead center and minimizing all other info. Our favorite are still the big round gauges, including a 160-mph speedo and 8,000 rpm tachometer.
More goodness comes in the center – all Jetta models now feature an 8-inch infotainment display that’s bright and sharp with both volume and tuning knobs. Underneath is the Climatronic Touch system, replacing the former round dial affair, and it works easily and quickly. Easy to use pushbuttons on the steering wheel keep everything at your fingertips.
This brings up an interesting point, the 2024 VW GTI model has been giving a lot of grief in the press for its reliance on touchscreens (no volume or tuning knob), haptic controls for the climate control and also on the steering wheel. We’ve heard a lot of this will change for the 2025 GTI, and frankly, they should just use the system in the Jetta – it’s simple, effective and looks great.
Speaking of others, the more affordable Jetta SE model is more attractive for ’24 with new standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio and wireless charging.
OK, off our soapbox and back into the interior, the SEL impresses with perforated Vienna leather seating surfaces, heated and ventilated front seats, driver’s memory seat, heated steering wheel, sunroof, navigation and ambient interior lighting. and the rear seats are adult friendly – heated too, in our SEL. Trunk space is impressive and is made even more so with easy flat-folding rear seats and an accommodating pass-through.
Since the base Golf hatch has gone away (only the GTI remains), the Jetta is your choice if you want an affordable VW that’s not a crossover – with this much room the loss of the base Golf model is not-so-bad.
European Road Manners
Driving the Jetta is a smooth, polished experience.
While we’ve driven the Jetta GLI recently, which is basically a GTI performance car with a trunk, it’s been a minute since we’ve spent time in the less expensive models.
Less expensive certainly doesn’t feel cheap, though – the SEL is brimming with a refined drive that is true to its European roots.
Under the hood is VW’s familiar 1.5-liter, turbo 4-cylinder, pumping out a respectable 158 horsepower. More important, there’s 184 lb.-ft of torque coming at just 1750 rpm, so there’s plenty of oomph off the line.
Those who like to shift their own gears will be sad to find VW no longer offers a manual transmission on any Jetta except the GLI. But all is not lost as the standard 8-speed automatic is a good one, and we’d gladly take it over the CVT-style automatics you find in the Subaru Impreza or Honda Civic.
Dial up Sport mode and you get quick response to the throttle, and you can manually shift the lever for added fun. That Sport mode also firms up the steering, which is typically VW light, but still gives you plenty of info. Surprisingly, there are no steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters here – but most Jetta drivers probably won’t notice. What they will notice is impressive fuel economy, with EPA figures of 29 mpg city and 40 mpg highway.
They’ll also notice a sporty exhaust note that’s not loud or obnoxious, and a feeling of precision that sets it apart from other competitors. The ride is on the firm side here, and we think the culprit might be those handsome 18-inch wheels and tires. If you live in an area with lots of potholes, the SE model with the 17-inchers might be a worthy consideration.
For us though, the grip is excellent, and the composed ride makes this a very fun sedan to zip around in. Yes, those intent on really wringing it out should look at the GLI model, but we appreciate that VW goes to the trouble to make every Jetta a great drive.
VW also likes to make it a safe drive. The IQ.DRIVE system is standard on all 2025 Jettas, serving up Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring, Active Blind Spot Monitor; Rear Traffic Alert; Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Lane Assist. We also like the Emergency Assist that gives semi-automated vehicle assistance in a medical emergency. All standard even on the least expensive model!
Smart Value
Remember the old, old VW Beetle? It was the one that started the brand’s smart value reputation, and it still lives on happily here.
You can get into a Jetta S starting at just $21,995. For a handsome European sedan with loads of tech, safety equipment and impressive efficiency, that’s a bargain. Outside of the high-performance GLI, our SEL tester is the fully loaded model, starting at $29,000. Add in $1,225 for Destination, and we rang the bell at $30,225.
While the SUV market is hot, the small sedan segment has many competitors, and they are priced aggressively! If not having the Euro-vibe works for you, we’d take a look at the updated 2025 Honda Civic, with a comparable model coming in $33,300. It’s a bit more, but with 49 hybrid mpg, you’ll make some of that back saving on gas. We also like the Mazda 3 sedan, with sporty performance and a lux interior for $30,595. We say drive them all and find the one that speaks to you. And your budget.
Fresh looks inside and out. Plenty of space and tech. The 2025 VW Jetta serves up European sport sedan goodness at a very attractive price!
Ben Lewis grew up in Chicago, and after spending his formative years driving sideways in the winter – often intentionally – moved to sunny Southern California. He now enjoys sunny weather year-round — whether it is autocross driving, aerobatics, and learning to surf.