2021 Volkswagen Jetta

The Jetta is Volkswagen's budget-sedan and as such is priced reasonably low for the budget-conscious market. The S, equipped with the manual gearbox, comes in at a base price of $18,995, while the automatic variant comes in at $19,795. The SE follows at an MSRP of $22,895 - that includes the auto gearbox as standard. The manual-equipped R-Line brings with it a slightly sportier aesthetic for a price of $22,795, while the automatic option costs $23,595. If you're looking for a little more comfort and convenience, the SEL asks $25,745 and the top-of-the-line SEL Premium goes for $28,045. All prices exclude tax, licensing, registration, and a $995 destination charge.

Comfort is prioritized for the Jetta, but as with any lower-cost vehicle, it isn't even nearly perfect. Cruising down the highway is a smooth and soft affair with only the engine's slight lack of power proving to be somewhat of an annoyance. Minor road abrasions and speed bumps are dealt with appropriately in town but bigger bumps will rattle the cabin and its occupants. The Civic and the Mazda 3 take the lead in this department, delivering a far more compliant and unhindered ride quality overall.

The Jetta's handling is good, but certainly not the best. It's an easy sedan to commute the daily grind with, especially around town where its mill works optimally. It feels appropriately nimble around corners, which can be taken confidently at low- to mid-speeds, while maneuvering out of tight spots is effortless, too. Some front-end understeer is exhibited at higher speeds along with some body lean, but the steering tightens up nicely for added control. The R-Line with its XDS differential is a little more precise and poised through the bends, benefitting from some added traction.

All in all, the Jetta is a viable pick for those who simply seek a straightforward cruiser they can use on a day-to-day basis. It's by no means an enthusiast's car, but as a sedan that focuses on being practical and dependable, it's more than adequate.

For anyone looking for an affordable, practical, and relatively stylish means of transportation for themselves or a small family, the Volkswagen Jetta is sure to appease. It's a typical casual commuter with a less-frills approach to design and performance. A true driving enthusiast would get little joy out of this car and would do themselves a favor looking elsewhere; the Honda Civic, for instance, is a far more enjoyable cruiser at a similar price. The Jetta is a more comfort-oriented vehicle, offering a sedate driving experience and a ride quality that is pleasant and makes passengers feel safe and secure. It also comes with all the creature comforts and conveniences required to keep all its passengers happy. Unfortunately, one does have to opt for one of the pricier higher-spec trims to get the better infotainment setup and advanced driver-assist tech. Ultimately, VW has specced the Jetta just enough for it to pass as one of the better budget vehicles, but it's rather forgettable overall. We'd suggest taking it, and a couple of its core rivals, out for a test drive to establish a solid opinion before pulling the trigger.

At a price of around $28k, the top-of-the-line SEL Premium packages the most value for the money. It gets VW's attractive digital cockpit, which looks phenomenal alongside the eight-inch infotainment touchscreen - a defining factor for the overall impression and quality of the Jetta's cabin. The BeatsAudio sound system is also a major upgrade. Opting for this model does mean that you don't get the option of the manual gearbox and will miss out on the improved dynamics of the XDS differential in the R-Line, but the Jetta is more of a leisure-mobile than anything else, anyway, so taking full advantage of its appeal as a comfortable family car just makes the most sense.

The Passat is essentially the larger, more expensive version of the Jetta. It's a midsize semi-luxury cruiser offering more power from its 2.0-liter turbo-four mill. It doesn't feature any manual transmission options like the Jetta with only a six-speed automatic coming standard. It's not nearly as economical as the Jetta, however, returning EPA figures of 24/36/28 mpg. As the larger vehicle, it's naturally the more spacious and practical sedan, presenting rear passengers with more room overall and a trunk capacity of almost two cubic feet more than the Jetta's. Standard and available features for the Passat don't quite match up to those offered with the Jetta, however, and the latter even gets a slightly larger infotainment screen. Overall, the Passat offers only a minor advantage in acceleration responses at higher speeds, while being more spacious, but the Jetta certainly packages a whole lot more value for the money.

At a starting MSRP just over the $20k mark, the Honda Civic Sedan is just a little more expensive than the Jetta. For that little bit extra, you do get a whole lot more though, at least that is if you're actually into driving. The Civic sports a far more engaging chassis paired with a dynamic suspension setup, resulting in a more performance-centric driving and handling experience. It gets the pick of two engines, with one being a brilliant 174-hp turbocharged engine, and there is a manual gearbox. You still benefit from the available CVT as well, and with it, the Civic returns leading gas mileage figures of 36 mpg in mixed driving scenarios, beating the Jetta's 34 mpg. Honda has also included most of its advanced features into all of its Civic models, along with high-end accouterments in a cabin that is a bit more commodious than the Jettas. The Civic's trunk is a little more spacious, too, which, along with all its other winning perks, makes it the sedan to go for.