If the VW Jetta and the Toyota Corolla, the Hyundai Elantra, the Honda Civic, or the Kia K5 were all friends, the Jetta SEL would be the soft-spoken, best-dressed, and highly underestimated friend of the group. Only speaks when spoken to, has the manners of a Royal, and is classically beautiful. Aside from the traits that separate the Jetta from its friends, it’s friends with the others because they have a lot in common: they’re all affordable, stylish, tech-laden, and roomy.
The 2025 VW Jetta, ranging from $24,220 to $30,725, rolled into this year with a fresh face and a couple of new tricks up its sleeve. But she’s still the practical, economical, trusty sedan that you know and love. And, like its sedan friends, it can be bought in a manual. Sedans are a dying breed (as are manuals) but the refreshed Jetta certainly brings some life into the segment.
I reviewed it last month, and got to experience what makes the VW Jetta a staple sedan, what’s changed with the new model year and what challenges drivers who have less than perfect mobility may face. Let’s see if this glow-up makes the 2025 VW Jetta SEL the perfect match for your daily drive and weekend adventures.
This story is 100% human-researched and -written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
New Paint Colors Keep the VW Jetta’s Vibes Fresh
Firstly, on the outside the new Monterey Blue Exterior is striking and understated. It’s a perfect color to shake things up for younger buyers, or if you’re bored of white, black, red or silver and want something fresh but don’t want to stand out too much. On the outside, the entire refresh is equally as subtle.
I immediately noticed the new grille, redesigned headlights, and updated taillights that give it a slightly more updated and sophisticated look. It’s not a radical departure, but it’s enough to keep the Jetta looking contemporary in a competitive field.
The Interior is Modernized and Gorgeous
Inside, the grigio and titan black leather interior elevates the cabin, along with some smart design. The dashboard has been revamped with an 8-inch floating multimedia display and Wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto put all your favorite apps at your fingertips. The wireless charging pad lets you do away with pesky cables altogether though, I don’t know about you, but I always have cables in my car anyways and there are two USB-C plugs if you need them.
If you like German engineering then you’ll probably appreciate the vibe of the cabin. Hints like the manual inspired gear shifter and driver-focused dash enhance the performance aspect while dual-zone climate controls make sure that it’s a comfy ride for the passenger, too. A moon roof with a manual cover add a fun, luxury feature while keeping the price down.
Finishing up the front cabin you have a glasses holder located in the roof which I consistently find to be a lovely addition. That way I can always have a backup pair of car sunglasses in times of glare (even though 90% of the time I forget that they’re there).
READ MORE: Thanks to Volkswagen, I Learned to Drive a Manual Transmission
There’s Plenty of Power for Spirited Driving
The VW Jetta can come with two engines: a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a turbo in the GLI. The 1.5 produces 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, while the 2.0 in the GLI cranks out 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The GLI can be bought with a manual transmission, but in the other models, like the SEL I drove, a smooth but peppy 8-speed automatic transmission is the only option.
The 2025 model has a Tiptronic system from Porsche built in, which allows the driver to manually shift through the gears even though it’s an automatic, and the Jetta gets a good bit of kick once you get going. Despite its sporty feel, the fuel economy was impressive. I averaged around 29 miles per gallon in the city and around 40 on the highway, which means fewer stops at the gas station and more money in your pocket—which is always a win.
For the Price, the Jetta Offers Excellent Safety Features as Standard Equipment
The base S trim starts at $24,220, and the SEL, which serves as the top-shelf model, carries an MSRP of $30,725. Compared to the other sedans it competes with, the pricing put it directly in the middle of the fray, while offering that extra oomph of German engineering and design. The others, like the Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic, can feel less expensive than the VW feels.
On the active safety front, the SEL includes IQ.DRIVE as standard (as well as all other Jetta trim levels), which boasts features like Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Lane Keeping Assist, Emergency Assist, Front Assist with Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (including pedestrian detection), Active Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Traffic Alert, a rearview camera with dynamic guidelines, and Light Assist (automatic high-beam control).
So, no matter what trim level you pick, whatever (or whoever) will be safe and comfortable.
Unfortunately, There Was One Major Issue Keeping Me From Loving It
First, let me explain my rather unique situation. I’m a right leg amputee and I drive with my left leg crossed over. This is often not an issue at all but, sometimes, the specific layout of the pedals, drivers console, etc can make it uncomfortable, difficult, or even impossible for me to drive.
Unfortunately, with the 2025 VW Jetta, it was impossible.
The driver’s footwell is so shallow from top to bottom that I was unable to safely cross my left leg over and, in attempting it, I banged it hard enough to cause multiple swear words to pop out of my mouth. Basically the space between the driver’s seat and the steering column was too small for me.
If you’re within the minority of the population who, Iike me, drive with your left leg crossed over your right OR if you need a bit more space for legroom in the driver footwell then, unfortunately, this might not be the car for you. I will admit, this made me quite salty.
I Couldn’t Drive It, But My Husband Loved It
My driving impressions had to be gleaned from my husband while I resentfully and grumpily sat in the passenger seat. He was quite a good sport as I quizzed him non-stop on every hum and ha, every tight corner and the quality of the acceleration. According to him, it was pretty slow to get started but once it was going, the Jetta had quite a good bit of pep. It could definitely benefit from a larger engine, and aside from the Kia K5, it’s the only one of the sedans it competes with that doesn’t have a hybrid option.
The Jetta has always been known for its surprisingly spacious interior for a compact sedan and that still holds true in 2025. Even though there is limited height for legroom in the driver’s footwell, there’s a TON of legroom everywhere else. Passengers will be super comfortable relaxing in your Jetta. And the trunk, well, it’s enormous…the kind of trunk you see mobsters stuffing people into on various tv shows.
READ MORE: The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Gives Us Spacious Spa Vibes
No Wonder “Volkswagen” Translates to “People’s Car”
Fun, premium features like ambient lighting and a sunroof, plenty of passenger space and comforta, and a generous trunk made the VW Jetta SEL an extremely good value when its standard features are taken into consideration. The list of people who wouldn’t enjoy it is much, much shorter than those who would, and that’s what makes it so good: older buyers, younger buyers, families, or singles can find something about the Jetta to become obsessed with.
While it might not be the sportiest car in its class (that’s what the Jetta GLI is for), the 2025 VW Jetta SEL offers a well-rounded package that is practical, comfortable, and now, a bit more stylish and tech-savvy. It’s a smart choice for anyone looking for a reliable, modern fuel-efficient sedan that makes everyday driving a breeze.
