Volkswagen Jetta 2022 Review

The current-generation Jetta debuted for the 2019 model year and since then we've commented favorably on the Jetta's Audi-like styling and generally sensible demeanor. But it's also not a car that makes you think, "Wow, I've got to have one of those!"

But maybe you'll be more inclined to think that way for the 2022 model year. That's when the Jetta gets a variety of upgrades that should help it be a more compelling pick among other top small sedans including the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte and Mazda 3. Highlights for the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta include revised exterior styling (courtesy of new bumpers and a new grille), a more powerful engine, a simplified trim level structure and expanded set of standard tech features.

Last year's Jetta had a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine good for 147 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. That's a decent output for a small sedan, but it results in unremarkable acceleration. At MatoCar' test track, we clocked a Jetta from 0 to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds. For comparison, a new Civic we tested, with its optional turbocharged engine, reached 60 mph a half-second quicker.

We'd expect the 2022 Jetta's acceleration will be more on par with that of the Civic and other top sedans. This year's car gets a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine that's good for 158 hp, though torque remains 184 lb-ft. As before, the Jetta will be available with either an eight-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual.

The Jetta's interior is a playful mix of analog and digital controls. We like the execution overall, but some aspects of the 2021 car — like the button layout on the steering wheel — are overly fussy. That drawback, at least, has been fixed for 2022, as the Jetta adopts the steering wheel seen in the ID.4 electric vehicle and Taos. There's a bit of a learning curve with this wheel since the controls are haptic and not individual physical buttons. But the layout is a bit more intuitive, and quickly accessing cruise and infotainment functions becomes second nature.

The Jetta is surprisingly roomy for a small sedan. There's a good amount of legroom all around, and while taller rear passengers might feel uncomfortable with the sloping roofline, it's still more accommodating than many other small four-doors. While there aren't any structural changes for 2022, a number of small upgrades should make the cabin more inviting. The cloth upholstery is of a new design, and contrast-color stitching is standard on all trims. There's also a spiffy new brown leather treatment (VW calls it "Volcano Brown") available on the top-spec SEL model. There's also a new Sport trim for 2022 that includes grippy bucket seats designed to keep you in place during hard cornering.

You'll get more standard technology features on the 2022 Jetta. Now even the base S trim has advanced driver aids such as forward collision mitigation and blind-spot monitoring. A small digital gauge cluster is standard on the S trim too. A few assist features, such as traffic-adaptive cruise control, are still optional for the S, but VW makes them standard starting with the midrange SE trim. Notably, the top-line Jetta SEL now has wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which means you can integrate many of your phone's apps onto the touchscreen without having to use a USB cord.

Volkswagen seems to have done right with the 2022 Jetta. The changes are unlikely to help vault the Jetta to the top of our small sedan rankings, but they will undoubtedly enhance upon the car's core attributes of space, no-nonsense style and technology.