With over 17.5 million models sold since its debut in 1979, the Volkswagen Jetta is one of the most popular and most successful sedans in the world. Economical and efficient, the Jetta reflects the Volkswagen commitment to building reliable vehicles that deliver outstanding performance and are equipped with cutting-edge technology. This is exactly what you’ll find on the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta, which starts at $18,995 and earns top marks for its efficiency and sophistication, as well as its bold design that gives drivers everything they want and more in a sedan.
At the heart of the Jetta’s efficiency is an award-winning MQB platform, which stands for “modularer querbaukasten” or “modular transversal toolkit.” This modular chassis is equipped with a series of hard points that form a standard platform for the Jetta and other VW models powered by a transverse front-engine. By using the MQB, VW designs the vehicle around the hard points to create a unique exterior aesthetic, maximize interior space, and add innovative technology using a unified electrical architecture that creates a standard platform across the lineup. So, what does this mean for the Jetta?
The award-winning MQB platform means that the 2021 Jetta is built around a high-strength steel frame designed to give drivers confidence and peace of mind when they get behind the wheel of the compact sedan. The platform also contributes to the Jetta’s spacious cargo area as well as its suite of innovative technology and safety features that make the Jetta enjoyable and safe to drive. Beyond that, it’s all about the details with VW delivering big on the efficient and boldly designed 2021 Jetta.
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All five trims of the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta - the S, SE, R-Line, SEL, and SEL Premium - are equipped with a 1.4-liter turbocharged direct-injection TSI engine under the hood. But if you want more power, you can always upgrade to the sporty Jetta GLI model. The base Jetta comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission that gives the Jetta maximum efficiency with an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 30 MPG in the city and 41 MPG on the highway.* The upper-tier Jetta trims are equipped with a standard eight-speed automatic transmission that sees a slight decrease in the EPA-estimated fuel economy at 29 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway, which is still impressive in a compact sedan.**
As for power, the Jetta isn’t designed to pack a punch on the racetrack, but you’ll be more than satisfied by the Jetta’s performance. The Jetta’s 1.4-liter turbocharged engine delivers 147 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, which offers quite a bit of get-up-and-go, whether cruising at highway speeds or navigating busy city streets. The rigid MQB chassis also gives it tight and responsive handling on winding roads. Altogether, the Jetta is a great everyday driver that’s both practical and efficient.
When it comes to cutting-edge technology, the 2021 Jetta delivers an impressive suite of tech features that ensures you stay connected wherever the road takes you. For starters, on the SEL and SEL Premium trims, VW replaces the traditional instrument cluster with a 10.0-inch digital cockpit with a fully customizable, high-resolution display with 21 viewing options. You can tailor the display to meet your needs, whether you want a clear view of speed and navigation cues, fuel economy, elevation, driver-assistance tools, or other driving data within eyesight.
The Jetta is also equipped with a standard center touchscreen display that offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, as well as a 4G LTE Wi-Fi mobile hotspot through App-Connect. The display on the Jetta S, SE, and R-Line is a 6.5-inch capacitive touchscreen that utilizes the touch-sensor technology found on smartphones and tablets. The Jetta SEL and SEL Premium are equipped with a larger, 8.0-inch display.
VW takes connectivity to the next level with Volkswagen Car-Net, which gives you more control over the Jetta whether you’re behind the steering wheel or miles away. By downloading the app to your phone and syncing it with your Jetta, you have access to a variety of remote commands that allow you to start and stop the engine, lock and unlock the doors, flash the lights, honk the horn, and much more. Also compatible with Amazon Alexa, you can even add items to your Amazon shopping list and control your smart-home devices with a simple voice command while you’re cruising down the road.
Car-Net is the gift that keeps on giving with features like Family Guardian Alert, which allows you to set boundaries, curfews, speed limits, and valet alerts when someone else is behind the wheel. You can also earn discounts on your auto insurance by enrolling in the DriveView program, which takes the Jetta’s practicality well beyond its affordable price tag! Other unique Car-Net features include access to Parkopedia, which makes it easier to find parking, and Safe & Secure, which includes enhanced tools like Emergency Assistance, Anti-Theft Alerts, and a Stolen Vehicle to ensure your Jetta is safe whether you’re behind the wheel or not.
The 2021 Jetta is packed with innovative safety and driver-assist features that earned the compact sedan a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Aside from its standard airbags and electronic safety systems like anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control, the 2021 Jetta is also equipped with an Automatic Post-Collision Braking System that’s designed to minimize additional collisions after the initial impact. To do this, the system applies the brakes after the primary collision to minimize the risk of another impact and reduce the severity of further damage. This feature works in conjunction with the Jetta’s Intelligent Crash Response System that, depending on the type of collision, will automatically unlock the doors, turn on the hazard lights, and shut off the fuel pump.
Aside from these exceptional safety features, the 2021 Jetta is also designed to give drivers more comfort and confidence when they’re behind the wheel with a suite of driver-assist tools. These tools include Adaptive Cruise Control, a Blind Spot Monitor, Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist), High Beam Control (Light Assist), and a Lane-Keeping System (Lane Assist). Front Assist is designed to limit the potential for front collisions by alerting drivers to unsafe situations. It can also provide automatic braking assistance by enhancing the driver’s braking when a collision is imminent.
While the Jetta is equipped with a rearview camera, the more views around the vehicle, the better - especially when you’re changing lanes, which is when the Blind Spot Monitor comes in handy. The Lane Assist feature works in conjunction with the Blind Spot Monitor by keeping the Jetta in its designated lane to avoid colliding with a vehicle in its blind spot in the adjacent lane. The Rear Traffic Alert system takes care of the rear of the vehicle and alerts you to any obstacles behind the Jetta, which is especially helpful when navigating out of a busy parking lot.
Top-tier Jetta trims also include advanced features like Adaptive Cruise Control and High Beam Control. Adaptive Cruise Control takes the guesswork out of cruising down the interstate by allowing you to set a desired speed and distance from the traffic ahead. The tool monitors the flow of traffic and adjusts the vehicle’s speed accordingly, which prevents you from having to hit the brakes and constantly reset the cruise control. Last but certainly not least, the Jetta’s High Beam Control ensures you have the best visibility at all times by automatically switching on the high beams in dark driving conditions when no oncoming traffic is detected.