Written by Marco Carvajal
Volkswagen Jetta SEL 2022
The German brand classic model Jetta is a value-oriented sedan that has become very popular in the United States and worldwide. This sedan keeps growing with bigger sizes and more features in each new generation. The new Jetta 2022 is more powerful producing 158 Horsepower and it includes more modern and smart technology than any previous Jetta, starting at a very low price of $20K.
The Jetta is a great practical and value car for those who want to continue driving a sedan instead of moving into an SUV, it can be a great entry-level car for young drivers and students but the top of the line I am test driving SEL can make most drivers happy.
The German-designed sedan can be trendy and very attractive, especially for new drivers who would like to drive a german vehicle.
Volkswagen had ups and downs but overall is an automaker brand that is trusted by most and it is perceived as a great quality car without the high price tag of other german brands. Driving a Volkswagen gives you good prestige while keeping a low purchasing budget.
The Jetta SEL I am test driving offers a low price and value. It’s a beautiful car inside and out. It has plenty of room for adults, a comfortable trunk, and a smooth ride on the highway that shows better handling than other cars with a similar size and price, and that’s where its German essence appeals to sedan buyers.
Seven generations of the Jetta
The Volkswagen Jetta is a compact family sedan that has been produced and sold by Volkswagen since 1979. It has been on sale for seven generations with names like the Atlantic, Vento, Bora, City Jetta, Jetta City, GLI, Jetta, Clasico, and Sagitar (in China).
The Jetta was offered as a two-door and also as a four-door sedan, and also as a five-door wagon or station wagon version. It has been available as a four or five-seat sedan.
Starting with the original Jetta version in 1980, the Jetta has grown in size and power with each new generation. The Jetta keeps evolving and even if car manufacturers are walking away from producing sedans, and instead moving into SUV production, the Jetta is one of these classic sedans that is here to stay.
The Jetta is a best seller, Volkswagen has sold more than 18 million Jetta vehicles worldwide.
The last generation Jetta is the number 7th, and it has been refreshed for 2022. This generation debuted with the 2019 car year model, based on the MQB platform. Among many enhancements, the 7th generation started to offer the 1.4-liter TSI engine with 148 horsepower, almost double the power from the initial first generation Jetta that produced 76 horsepower back in 1980, and a variety of tech and style enhancements like Wi-Fi.
The seventh-generation Jetta is larger than the previous sixth-generation and it includes a new interior with the available ten-color customizable ambient lighting, heated front seats, and the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit that became a big upgrade compared to the previous Jetta.
The seventh-generation Jetta has been refreshed for 2022
Today in 2022, the new Jetta that I am test driving continues to be part of the seventh generation but it receives several enhancements to produce a refreshed Jetta.
For the Jetta car year model 2022, we can see several changes that point towards an upcoming new generation in the near future.
The new 2022 Jetta includes a new powertrain with a powerful 1.5-liter turbocharged and direct-injection EA211 engine, also found in the recently-launched Taos, producing 158 horsepower, and 184 pound-feet of torque.
A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the new 2022 Jetta, with the eight-speed automatic transmission optional.
A new Sport trim has been added to the Jetta lineup giving more options to Jetta buyers.
Exterior styling has been updated with revised front and rear ends, new colors, and new wheels.
The new interior features a standard Digital Cockpit and Volkswagen Car-Net telematics with Wi-Fi capability. Driver assistance features are upgraded as well, with Front Assist, Blind Spot Monitor, and Rear Traffic Alert coming standard, and the option to upgrade to the IQ.DRIVE technology package that is available on every Jetta trim level.
The Jetta is now a classic and trusted sedan for American families, and it provides an excellent small sedan without compromise.
Four trims available for the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta
- Jetta S
$20,195 Starting MSRP for the Sport manual transmission model
$20,995 Starting MSRP for the Automatic transmission model
The S Jetta automatic is available with an IQ.Drive package for $955. This package upgrades the S model driver assistance technology with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Assist (Lane Keeping System), Travel Assist, and more.
- Jetta Sport
$21,095 Starting MSRP for the Sport manual transmission model
$21,895 Starting MSRP for the Automatic transmission model
- Jetta SE
$23,795 Starting MSRP only available with Automatic Transmission
- Jetta SEL (the model I am test-driving)
$27,795 Starting MSRP only available with Automatic Transmission
The SEL is a great Jetta to own, it is the top-of-the-line model in the Jetta family, but even if it is the best Jetta you can own (besides the Jetta GLI) it is very affordable at a 27K MSRP.
The SEL Jetta is an upgrade based on the SE trim and is only offered with an automatic transmission.
Generous standard features make this Jetta SEL more luxury and premium that any previous Jetta model, including projector LEDs with Volkswagen’s Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS); a nice sunroof; cold weather package with a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and heated windshield wiper park and washer nozzles; power driver seat with memory and lumbar support; leather seating surfaces; ventilated front seats; three-line door card stitching.
More attractive standard features continue with ambient lighting; Volkswagen Digital Cockpit Pro with 10.25-inch display; Discover Media infotainment with 8.0-inch display and navigation and voice control, and Light Assist (High Beam Control for headlights).
The Jetta SEL includes modern wireless charging and wireless App-Connect for compatible devices.
Premium Beats Audio
The SEL Jetta I am test driving includes a high quality premium Beats Audio sound system with nine speakers. Enjoy this high quality audio system with satellite radio SiriusXM with 360L included free of charge during 3-months. Beats Audio is know for reproducing the same quality audio as the original recording and it has become a very popular high-end producer of headphones and other audio formats.
Jetta GLI
In addition to the regular Jetta trim models, Volkswagen now offers the new Jetta GLI, only available as the Autobahn trim model for 2022 with a starting MSRP of $30,995 for the manual transmission version.
The GLI is an affordable high-performance sedan. The main function of the GLI Jetta is to deliver driving pleasure without sacrificing practicality and efficiency with 36 years of evolution. The GLI features a new MIB3 infotainment system.
The Jetta offers great value with lots of standard features for a low price. Even the top of the line Jetta has a great low price near 27K and tons of features that it is very difficult to find another german sedan offering so much for the money. It drives well, it is very attractive especially inside and it will drive you for thousands of miles without a problem with its great quality architecture.
