Turbocharging gives the 2027 Volkswagen Jetta 184 lb-ft of torque from 1,750 rpm to 4,000 rpm, so the 1.5-liter four pulls early in the rev range. Its rating is 158 horsepower on every trim. Shifts come from an eight-speed automatic with a Sport mode and Tiptronic for choosing gears yourself.

The S posts the highest combined EPA estimate in the lineup at 34 mpg, and the Sport, SE and SEL are rated 33. Volkswagen recommends regular unleaded for this engine. A sport suspension lowers the Sport, SE and SEL 0.6 inch compared with the S, and the Sport adds the XDS Cross Differential System.

• 158 hp, 184 lb-ft, 1.5L turbo four
• Eight gears, Tiptronic control, Sport mode
• EPA-estimated 34 mpg combined on the S
• Volkswagen recommends regular unleaded fuel
• Speed-sensitive steering, 2.66 turns lock to lock
• 0.6-inch lower stance from the Sport up

The 8-inch touchscreen in the 2027 Volkswagen Jetta S and Sport picks up SiriusXM with 360L plus voice control this year, and two more speakers bring the count to six. Every trim pairs Apple CarPlay or Android Auto wirelessly through App-Connect. Both center-stack USB-C ports deliver 45-watt fast charging.

Two cockpit sizes are offered: 8 inches on the S, Sport and SE, and 10.25 inches on the SEL, where the Pro version shows up to four views. Discover Media brings built-in navigation to the SEL, and its eight-speaker Volkswagen Premium Audio system replaces the six-speaker setup.

• Floating 8-inch touchscreen in every Jetta
• Cable-free CarPlay and Android Auto
• SiriusXM 360L, new on S and Sport
• SEL cluster with up to four views
• Built-in navigation reserved for the SEL
• Phone charging pad standard from the SE

Standard IQ.DRIVE gives the 2027 Volkswagen Jetta S the same core driver-assistance suite as the SEL. On the highway, Travel Assist, Lane Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go help with steering, speed and following distance. Front Assist, Active Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Traffic Alert keep an eye on surrounding traffic, front and rear. Travel Assist is hands-on by design.

In slow traffic, Adaptive Cruise Control can resume on its own when the car ahead moves off within three seconds. A driver who stops responding triggers Emergency Assist, which can brake the sedan gently to a halt in its lane. Light Assist, standard on the SEL, switches the high beams automatically. Each system is an aid, so stay alert behind the wheel.

• Same IQ.DRIVE suite on all four trims
• Travel Assist with capacitive steering-wheel monitoring
• Front Assist watches for vehicles and pedestrians ahead
• Active Blind Spot Monitor with mirror LEDs
• Post-collision braking and six airbags, every trim
• Rear Traffic Alert can brake for crossing traffic

Volkswagen quotes a 0.26 drag coefficient for the 2027 Volkswagen Jetta, a compact sedan with a coupe-like roofline. A bold character line runs along each side, and the trunk lid ends in an arch-shaped trailing edge. Every trim gets LED lighting at both ends, including a light bar that spans the trunk lid.

Darker trim pieces define the Sport, whose grille, window surrounds and mirror caps are all black. A light bar in the grille appears on the Sport and SEL, and the SEL adds a chrome accent at the rear. Sunroof fans should look at the SE and SEL, where a power panoramic roof is standard.

• 0.26 drag coefficient, per Volkswagen
• 186.5 in long, 70.8 in wide excluding mirrors
• Sport: black grille and mirror caps
• Front accent lights on Sport and SEL
• SE and SEL: power tilt-and-slide panoramic roof
• 16-inch S, 17-inch Sport/SE and 18-inch SEL wheels

Cold Metro East mornings put heated equipment at the top of the list in the 2027 Volkswagen Jetta. Front-seat heating begins at the Sport, and the SEL adds a heated steering wheel, heated outboard rear seats and ventilated front seats for summer. Every trim also gets dual-zone Climatronic Touch and keyless access with push-button start.

Rear passengers get 37.4 inches of legroom and 37.2 inches of headroom, and the trunk holds 14.1 cubic feet. Cloth covers the S and Sport, the SE switches to perforated leatherette, and the SEL is trimmed in perforated Vienna leather. The SE also brings a power driver's seat with power lumbar, and the SEL adds memory.

• 37.2 in rear headroom, 37.4 in rear legroom
• 14.1 cu ft trunk, fold-down 60/40 seatback
• Two-zone automatic climate control on all four
• Front seat heaters from the Sport onward
• SEL: Vienna leather, ventilated fronts, heated rear seats
• SEL cabin lighting in 10 selectable colors