2025 Volkswagen Jetta

The current Volkswagen Jetta has been on sale since 2019. and after six years, most automakers would debut a brand-new model to keep up with competitors. But with interest in traditional cars waning relative to that of SUVs, some manufacturers are introducing a second wave of updates to a vehicle line in lieu of a full redesign. That's the case with the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta and its performance-oriented Jetta GLI variant. For 2025, VW's only sedan comes with new bumper and grille designs, which make it look a little more anonymous but also less ungainly. The Jetta also receives new front and rear light bars and a host of revisions inside. It might not have the new car smell of recently redesigned rivals like the Honda Civic or Kia K4, but the enhancements attempt to keep the Jetta from feeling stale.

The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta looks more premium in this refresh, and we like that some features are coming to more budget-friendly trim levels. It undeniably offers strong value, but we're not sure if the changes are enough to unseat A-tier rivals like the Civic or Mazda 3.

The Volkswagen Jetta may not be a top choice for buyers in the small-sedan segment, but it continues to offer a distinctly European driving experience in a segment dominated by Japanese and South Korean brands. The current generation came into the scene in 2019 with a major refresh in 2022. Based on spy shots of what looks like a new Jetta, we could see a new Jetta generation introduced in 2025, with plenty of subtle updates that don't appear like a complete redesign. We expect its attractive design and relative affordability to remain.

Edmunds spotlight: Great value

The Jetta is unquestionably a great value. With a starting price in the low $20,000s, this German sedan gives you more bang for your buck than many competitors. Even in its lowest trim, the Jetta comes standard with many driver aids that include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, a lane keeping system, and forward collision warning with automatic braking. In addition, the Jetta offers a spacious cabin along with many of the features its competitors do but at a lower cost.

Competitors to consider

The Jetta is a solid presence in the segment, but there are other players worth checking out. Of course, we cannot talk about small sedans without mentioning the ever-popular Honda Civic. Other notable options are the Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3 and Kia Forte.