At a Glance

Starting MSRP $17,895 for Base (S) trim
Four-cylinder turbo, runs on 87 octane
Roomy seating for four to five adults

Pros

The 2017 Jetta brings sturdy German build quality to the masses, providing all the basics at an affordable price. Interior room surpasses many competitors in this class.

Cons

Interior materials remain the prominent detractor for an otherwise impressive sporty-on-a-budget sedan. Stepping up in performance to a Jetta GLI moves the price needle much further north – but for Volkswagen enthusiasts, the enhanced performance may warrant the extra investment.

Image via Faulkner

This article was worked on by a variety of people from the Autoversed team, including freelancers, editors, and/or other full-time employees.