A Look at the Exciting 2023 Volkswagen Jetta Trims

Volkswagen announced a refresh for the 2022 Jetta that would include a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine (shared with the Taos), new trim offerings, some style updates inside and out, and improved safety and infotainment features. Not a lot has changed between the 2022 and 2023 models, so if you had your eye on the 2022 model, you will likely be impressed with the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta. The Jetta has long been a fan favorite because it is an affordable compact sedan from a European manufacturer. Drivers often associate foreign cars with hiked-up prices, but this trusted manufacturer proves with their Jetta year after year that they want to make their brand accessible to all drivers.

The Volkswagen Jetta is often considered a competitor to the Kia Forte, the Toyota Corolla, and the Honda Civic. They’re all budget-friendly sedans with high-quality materials, solid standard safety features, great fuel economy, and spacious trunks; however, the Jetta carries an undeniable European flare, and the 2023 model has some fun features you’re going to want to experience for yourself. Here’s a trim guide to get you started on picking out your perfect 2023 Volkswagen Jetta.

The S Trim

This base-level trim is a solid choice for anyone wanting a safe, fuel-efficient, and comfortable compact sedan. The S is an excellent choice if you are sticking to a strict budget but don’t want to miss out on the features that matter. All trims, including this one, will have the 1.5-liter engine paired with a six-speed manual transmission. It enjoys solid standard safety features courtesy of the IQ.DRIVE suite, such as front assist, active blind spot monitor, and a host of other innovative tools.

Staying connected on the road is also easy, thanks to smartphone compatibility, via a USB cord. It gets a 6.5-inch touchscreen, where you can see things like your navigation and smartphone apps populate.

As for comfort, there is a manually adjustable driver’s seat, and the interior gets cloth seating throughout. Plus, it enjoys 60/40-split folding rear seats to create more storage space when you need it. Even as a base trim, the S turns heads with its LED headlights and taillights. It has 16-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires that will perform well in most modest conditions. All in all, the S is a no-frills trim that is budget-friendly, safe, and comfortable.

The Sport Trim

Volkswagen put the reliability, fuel efficiency, and comfort the Jetta is known for into a sporty sedan that those looking for a more thrilling experience can get excited about. Jumping into the performance features, it comes with 17-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires. That size bump up from the base trim’s 16-inch wheels gives the Sport better traction, which drivers will appreciate if they plan on having a little fun with this trim. Speaking of which, it also gets an XDS cross-differential system, which improves traction and handling of the vehicle when it’s in front-wheel drive mode.

Volkswagen also made some style touches that the more spirited driver will like in the Sport, like stainless steel pedal caps, a black front grille, and black side mirror caps, along with an integrated light bar on the front grille. Inside you’ll find sports comfort seats, bolstered seats with contrast stitching that add to that track-ready look and feel. As for practicality, the Sport gets the 60/40 split-folding rear seats found in the S, but with the addition of a center armrest with a pass-through console. The Sport delivers thrills and athletic style details at a slightly boosted price compared to the S.

The SE Trim

Drivers who love those thoughtful, luxurious, and intuitive features that grab their attention will want to check out the SE. If you live in a rainy climate, you’ll appreciate the rain-sensing, intermittent front wipers. They turn on when they sense those first few drops and adjust in speed according to the rain’s intensity and the vehicle’s speed, so you always have precipitation wiped away at the perfect pace for optimal visibility.

While lower trims had a manual adjustable driver’s seat, here you get the eight-way power adjustable driver seat with power adjustable lumbar support. If getting that perfect driving position is a must for you, this feature is a major bonus. Even the front seat passenger gets a four-way manually adjustable seat in this trim, along with heated seats for both driver and front passenger.

The luxury continues with two-zone automatic climate control and an enhanced air filter for the ideal cabin temperature and atmosphere. You also enjoy an auto-dimming interior rear view mirror, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces. Until this point in the lineup, models had the six-speed manual transmission, but now we bump up to the eight-speed automatic transmission. This is the first trim where adaptive cruise control comes standard, too. If you are tired of using traditional keys, you’ll like that this trim gets keyless access and a push start button. It even has remote engine start, letting you fire up the ignition before you even get into the vehicle.

The SEL Trim

The SEL trim is the top trim and enjoys high-end features that make every part of the driving experience smooth and easy. It enjoys heated side mirrors to melt away frost on cold days. They’re power adjustable and have position memory, so the mirrors will return to your desired position each time you turn the car on. Plus, they get the passenger-side auto-tilt function, which tilts the passenger-side mirror down for better visibility when backing up and returns it to its level position when you put the car back in drive mode.

Night drivers will love the LED projector headlights that illuminate the road ahead far and wide. Meanwhile, the ambient interior lighting makes it easy to see inside the cabin at night without harsh bulbs. Climate control is at its finest in this trim as the driver and front seat passenger get heated and ventilated seats (and backseat passengers get heated seats). Plus, not only does the driver get a power driver seat, but it also has position memory. The infotainment shines in this trim, too. You jump from the 6.5-inch touchscreen found on previous trims to an 8-inch one, along with wireless charging for your devices and a BeatsAudio sound system for the ultimate listening experience.

A Midsize Sedan That Is Truly Designed for Many Drivers

Volkswagen did an excellent job providing well-planned variety in the trim lineup for the 2023 Jetta. Every type of driver should be able to find something to their liking here. The base level S trim is a reliable, comfortable, and safe choice that offers the core characteristics people love about the Jetta. The Sport is ready for the spirited driver that wants to challenge this compact sedan a bit more with its larger wheels and an XDS cross-differential system.

We get into more luxury features as we get to the SE, where power driver seating, rain-sensing wipers, and dual-zone auto climate control show up. Finally, the SEL is top-of-the-line and is filled with features that respond to your every need in terms of comfort and safety. There’s a lot to love about the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta, and here at Bud Clary Auburn Volkswagen, we’re excited to help you find that perfect trim.