With new car prices continuing to rise, finding a well-equipped, reliable sedan for under $25,000 is getting harder every year. But one compact model still manages to deliver impressive value without compromising on quality, efficiency, or features.
This sedan offers a smooth, comfortable ride, excellent fuel economy, and a surprisingly upscale interior for its price point. Standard tech includes a user-friendly infotainment system, advanced safety features, and smartphone connectivity, all wrapped in a stylish, modern design. It’s built to handle daily commuting with ease while still feeling refined behind the wheel.
If you’reshopping on a budgetbut don’t want to settle for bare-bones transportation, this compact sedan makes a strong case. It delivers the kind of reliability, comfort, and practicality usually found in cars that cost thousands more. In a segment packed with options, this one rises to the top as the best value choice under $25,000.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including TopSpeed and the EPA.
The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta Offers Exceptional Value For Money
Volkswagen is a brand that isn’t quite as popular in the U.S. as it is elsewhere. However, cars like the Jetta prove that the brand still delivers sensible and affordable options. After decades on the market, the Jetta remains a cheap compact sedan that comes loaded with features.
$22,495
$23,775
$25,275
SEL
$29,000
The Jetta is offered in four different trims, each offering increasing levels of comfort. Volkswagen’s sedan is currently among the most affordable options in this segment, undercutting a number of its rivals. The Jetta also manages to stand out by offering agile handling and a well-kitted interior.
While the S is hard to ignore, with a price tag lower than most new cars in 2025, itlacks a lot of desirable equipment. If you have a hard budget of $25,000, then the Jetta is a fantastic option due to the fact that its best value trim, the Sport, fits comfortably under that. While the SE and SEL offer some great equipment, their price tag puts them in contention with some better options.
Changes For 2025
Volkswagen has put the Jetta under the knife for the 2025 model year, giving it a light refresh. The sedan has been fitted with a new front fascia, with new lighting elements and an updated grille. A light bar that spans across the entire grille is also available on every trim other than the base model. Monterey Blue Pearl and Monument Gray also join the list of available paint options for 2025.
On the inside, the dashboard has been reworked, with a new design used for the HVAC vents. A larger infotainment screen is now available on all models, with a VW touch panel below it for the climate control system. The SE trim also gets a bump in value, with an updated list of standard equipment, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and wireless charging.
Warranties and Maintenance
This area is a bit of a mixed bag for Volkswagen. Their bumper-to-bumper coverage is slightly above average, while their powertrain warranty is a little below average. However, the German brand does offer complimentary maintenance, which is somewhat of a rarity in this segment.
The Jetta Is Quick Yet Efficient Thanks To Its Great Four-Cylinder Engine
If value is what you’re after, then performance is a somewhat difficult area. Balancing fuel efficiency with performance is not the easiest task, and you often have to choose between the two. However, Volkswagen’s Jetta manages to be quicker than most of its direct rivals while remaining light on fuel.
158 HP
184 LB-FT
0-60 MPH
Top Speed
126 MPH
A turbocharged four-cylinder is your only option in the 2025 Jetta, pairing exclusively with a front-wheel drive setup. The manual transmission that used to be offered is now gone,now only available on the GLI, making the eight-speed automatic your sole choice of transmission. Despite being so affordable, the Jetta actually accelerates quicker than most of the other options at this price point.
The Jetta is tuned mostly for comfort, delivering an impressively smooth ride. Even at highway speeds, it feels refined and quiet. This doesn’t mean, however, that it isn’t fun to drive. Push it to its limits, and you’ll find it offers plenty of entertainment. However, options like the Honda Civic and Mazda 3 will be more appealing to those looking for something more precise.
29 MPG
40 MPG
33 MPG
In its class, the Jetta is one of the quickest accelerating cars that you can buy. Despite this, it manages to sit among the most efficient models as well. It does particularly well on the highway, being one of the few gas-only vehicles available capable of achieving 40 miles per gallon.
Safety and Driver Assists
The Volkswagen Jetta comes pretty well-equipped when it comes to safety and driver assist technology. As well as the standard features that you’d expect, such as automated braking and collision warnings, the Jetta is also capable of combining adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist for semi-autonomous driving.
If safety is among your top concerns when buying a new car, then the Jetta should definitely make your list. The NHTSA has put it through rigorous testing and scored it five stars out of five for safety.
Volkswagen Offers a Simple, Grown-Up Interior in The Jetta
While a lot of other brands competing in budget-oriented segments rely on gimmicks, like massive screens or flashy styling elements, the Jetta keeps things simple. It comes withall the modern amenitiesthat you’d hope for in a new car; it just doesn’t throw anything in your face.
Cargo Capacity
14.1 Cubic Feet
Relative to other options in the compact sedan segment, the Jetta is actually reasonably spacious. There is plenty of room for all but the tallest of people in both the front and the back seats. Cargo space is also more than reasonable, with the Jetta outdoing most of its direct rivals as well as other hatchback options like the Golf GTI.
Volkswagen’s approach to design is very utilitarian, which is something that will appeal to some people while putting others off. The dashboard features a contemporary yet minimalist design. Though, it must be said that comfort is certainly not an issue, nor are things like rear outwards visibility. Climb the trim ladder and you can find a ton of high-end features, though, like heated and ventilated seats and ambient interior lighting.
Infotainment and Technology
If you go with the S, Sport, or SE trims, your Jetta comes standard with an eight-inch infotainment screen that replaces the 6.5-inch unit that used to be standard kit. Upgrade to the SEL, and you’ll get a 10.3-inch unit instead. Volkswagen has thankfully kept around a number of physical controls, such as volume knobs on either side of the infotainment system.
Volkswagen has replaced its three-dial HVAC controls with a new touch-based system below the infotainment screen, which we’re a bit bummed about.
In terms of audio, the S and Sport models come with a pretty simple four-speaker setup that isn’t going to impress any audiophiles. The SE gets a six-speaker system instead, while the SEL gets an eight-speaker system engineered by Beats Audio. Other standard features include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, two USB-C ports in the front, and VW’s gesture controls. In-car Wi-Fi is also available on every model as long as you pay for a subscription plan.
