The 2024 Volkswagen Jetta is an affordable way to get a well-built, German-engineered sedan for about the same price as a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla. The Jetta is a roomy sedan with a sporty attitude and, outside of the Mazda3, the only compact sedan still offering a manual transmission on most trims.
The Jetta S, Sport, SE, and SEL trims all get by with a 158-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, with the S and Sport featuring a 6-speed manual transmission. Optional on the S and Sport and standard on the SE and SEL is an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic with manual shift modes.
The Jetta GLI is a true performance sedan with tighter suspension tuning and a 228-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. A 6-speed manual is also standard, with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic optional. This GLI model competes nicely with the Hyundai Elantra N, Honda Civic Si, and Mazda3 Turbo.
Prices are current at the time of publishing.
What’s New:
For 2024, all Jetta models equipped with an automatic transmission come with IQ.Drive driver assistance technology as standard equipment. Manual transmission models also get IQ.Drive, minus the Emergency Assist.
The Jetta S trim gains rain-sensing wipers and an auto-dimming rearview mirror, while the Sport gets heated front seats and a space-saving spare tire.
The Jetta GLI now comes in two trims: 40th Anniversary Edition and Autobahn. The GLI Autobahn adds a heated steering wheel to its standard equipment roster.
Our Recommendation:
We like the Jetta SE. It offers a nice set of features and performance at an excellent price. The even more affordable Sport, though, also has its appeal.
Jetta S
Starts at $21,435 | See listings
- 1.5-liter turbocharged engine
- 6-speed manual transmission
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- Adaptive cruise control
- Blind-spot monitor/rear cross-traffic alert
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Air conditioning
- 8-inch Digital Cockpit
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- See more
Jetta Sport
Starts at $22,585 | See listings
- Sport suspension
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- XDS electronic locking differential
- Heated sport seats
- Blacked-out exterior trim
- See more
Jetta SE
Starts at $24,875 | See listings
- 6-way power driver’s seat
- Keyless access
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Remote start
- Push-button start
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- See more
Jetta SEL
Starts at $28,825 | See listings
- Heated washer nozzles
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro
- 8-way power driver’s seat with memory
- Heated steering wheel
- 10-color ambient lighting
- BeatsAudio
- Wireless charging pad
- See more
Jetta GLI 40th Anniversary Edition
Starts at $28,085 | See listings
- 228-hp 2.0-liter engine
- 6-speed manual
- Adaptive dampers
- Electronic locking differential
- Golf R front brakes
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- See more
Jetta GLI Autobahn
Starts at $31,785 | See listings
- Leather upholstery
- Panoramic sunroof
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- BeatsAudio
- 8-way power driver’s seat with memory
- See more
2024 Volkswagen Jetta S: $21,435 (manual), $22,235 (automatic)
The entry-level S trim won’t impress those looking for high-tech interiors and high-performance machinery. But for everyone else, there is a lot to like here, starting with a low price.
Volkswagen equips the Jetta S with IQ.Drive, a suite of driver aids that includes forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, autonomous emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, a blind-spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic detection. Also in the group is adaptive cruise control, Travel Assist (semi-autonomous driving assistant), and, on vehicles equipped with the automatic transmission, Emergency Assist. Should the driver become incapacitated, Emergency Assist can slow down and even bring the car to a controlled stop.
The 2024 Volkswagen Jetta S has heated power side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, automatic on/off LED headlights, 16-inch 2-tone alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, and LED taillights.
Looking inside the S cabin reveals cloth upholstery covering manually adjusting front seats and a 60/40-split folding rear seat. Creature comforts include manual air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel with cruise, audio, and Bluetooth controls.
The Jetta features an 8-inch digital instrument panel — Digital Cockpit in VW parlance — complemented by a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and a Wi-Fi hot spot (subscription required). A 4-speaker AM/FM radio and two USB-C ports complete the system.
With the $1,150 destination fee, the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta S with the automatic transmission costs $23,385. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment comes to $441. See 2024 Volkswagen Jetta S models for sale near you
2024 Volkswagen Jetta S Includes:
Digital Cockpit – These configurable digital gauges, standard on the Jetta S, work well while giving the interior a modern look.
Android Auto/Apple Car Play – This connectivity with your smartphone lets you bring your tunes, messaging, and driving directions (and more) into your Jetta.
Blind-spot monitoring – One of our favorite safety technologies, this system lets you know when a car or motorcycle is in your blind spot.
2024 Volkswagen Jetta Sport: $22,585 (manual), $23,385 (automatic)
While you don’t get any extra power with the Jetta Sport, you get a sportier look highlighted by front accent lights and blacked-out trim on the grille and mirror caps.
Seventeen-inch alloy wheels and an XDS electronic locking differential complement the Jetta Sport’s flashier styling. A black headliner, stainless steel pedal caps, a rear seat center armrest with cup holders, and cloth-covered heated sport seats adorn the inside.
During our time behind the wheel, we found the Sport’s seats supportive while cornering but everyday comfortable.
With the $1,150 destination fee, the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta Sport with the manual transmission costs $23,735. On a 60-month loan at 5% and $0 down, the Sport’s monthly payment should come in at $448. See 2024 Volkswagen Jetta Sport models for sale near you
2024 Volkswagen Jetta Sport includes:
17-inch alloy wheels – These larger wheels and tires look sharp while improving steering response.
Sport cloth seats – These seats, covered in a durable cloth material, effectively blend comfort and support.
XDS differential – This electronic locking differential can help the front-drive Jetta power out of corners with minimal inside wheelspin.
2024 Volkswagen Jetta SE: $24,875
The Jetta SE builds off the S trim, adding a remote start, silver-painted 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless access proximity key fob (which lets you unlock the door by touching the handle), a push-button starter, and V-Tex faux leather upholstery. The SE also has a 6-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support, dual-zone automatic climate control, and three USB-C ports.
Notable among the optional equipment for the Jetta SE are a panoramic sunroof and 17-inch black alloy wheels.
With the $1,150 destination, the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta SE costs $26,025. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and with $0 down, the monthly payment will be $491. See 2024 Volkswagen Jetta SE models for sale near you
2024 Volkswagen Jetta SE Includes:
6-way power driver’s seat – Aided by lumbar support, this seat keeps you comfortable on long trips.
Rain-sensing wipers – The Jetta’s wipers automatically activate when sensing rain, mist, or snow on the windshield.
Dual-zone climate control – You and your passenger will be comfortable in the SE because you can select individual temperatures.
2024 Volkswagen Jetta SEL: $28,825
Is the SEL worth an extra $3,950? If you value luxury, yes.
As the most luxurious Volkswagen Jetta, the SEL adds automatic high-beam headlights, integrated side mirror turn signals, heated wiper de-icer pads, and heated washer nozzles.
Vienna leather upholstery adds a premium feel, as does an 8-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support and memory, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and 10-color ambient lighting.
The SEL gets a larger 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro instrument panel, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and a panoramic tilt/slide power sunroof. A voice-activated infotainment setup gains wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and SiriusXM 360L.
Music lovers will swoon for the 400-watt BeatsAudio sound system with eight speakers and a subwoofer. It also comes with a larger 8-inch touchscreen and navigation.
With the $1,150 destination fee, the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta SEL costs $29,975. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment works out to $566. See 2024 Volkswagen Jetta SEL models for sale near you
2024 Volkswagen Jetta SEL Includes:
MIB3 – This touchscreen infotainment upgrade is quick and easy to use. It includes navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
Heated and ventilated front seats – These seats help occupants stay comfortable in the Jetta SEL year-round.
Automatic high-beam headlights – Standard on the SEL, these headlights dim when sensing oncoming traffic. They automatically go bright again when traffic clears.
2024 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 40th Anniversary Edition: $28,085 (manual), $28,885 (automatic)
To celebrate four decades of production, the 40th Anniversary Edition takes all we loved about last year’s Jetta GLI and adds expressive styling. It gains a more aggressive grille and lower bumper, highlighted with black and red accents.
Under the hood, the 2024 VW Jetta GLI harbors a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that sends 228 hp to the front wheels via a 6-speed manual transmission or a quick-shifting 7-speed dual-clutch automatic.
Eighteen-inch wheels are standard, as are a multi-link rear suspension, larger Golf R brakes, an electronically locking front differential, adaptive shock absorbers, variable ratio power steering, and selectable drive modes.
Inside, the GLI distinguishes itself with cloth sport seats with a limited-edition embossed pattern insert and a flat-bottom sport steering wheel with haptic touch controls that get easier to use with practice.
Other standard GLI fare includes the 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro instrument cluster, manually adjustable heated front seats, automatic high-beam headlights, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display, keyless entry and start, 10-color ambient lighting, and a wireless charging pad.
With the $1,150 destination fee, the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 40th Anniversary Edition costs $29,235. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment works out to $552. See 2024 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 40th Anniversary Edition models for sale near you
2024 Volkswagen Jetta 40th Anniversary Edition GLI Includes:
Turbocharged 2.0-liter powerplant – It makes a healthy 228 hp. But we’re bigger fans of all that torque (258 lb-ft!).
DCC – This suspension automatically adapts its damping to road conditions, improving this Jetta’s comfort and agility.
Large front brakes – With heavy-duty front disc brakes from the Golf R, this GLI has plenty of stopping power.
2024 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn: $31,785 (manual), $32,585 (automatic)
The Autobahn adds more luxury features to the 40th Anniversary Edition but removes the adaptive damping suspension.
Standard features include leather sport seats, a panoramic sunroof, 18-inch machine-finished alloy wheels, a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and an 8-way power driver’s seat with memory and lumbar support. You also get a BeatsAudio, sound system and remote start (automatic only).
With the $1,150 destination fee, the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn costs $32,935. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment works out to $622. See 2024 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn models for sale near you
My thoughts exactly. I almost bought an Autobahn until I realized it’s missing the DCC.
Why does the Autobahn come without the adaptive damping suspension? Buyers that are willing to pay more for the Autobahn model want all the features on top of what the 40th edition has.
I wouldn’t buy a 40th edition because it lacks a lot of features that the Autobahn has, and I wouldn’t buy and Autobahn without the adaptive damping suspension. VW needs new management.