With the departure of the basic Golf hatchback after 2021 (leaving only the sporty GTI and R versions, which are being redesigned), the Jetta becomes the starting-point four-door car model in Volkswagen’s lineup. Changes for 2022 include new front and rear designs and new alloy wheels. Interior mods consist primarily of a revised digital instrument cluster with an eight-inch touch-screen, plus standard blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. The Jetta also gets a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 158 horsepower. That’s slightly more the outgoing turbo-1.4-liter I-4 with its 147 horsepower. Both powerplants make 184 pound-feet of torque. Buyers can choose a six-speed manual transmission or an available eight-speed automatic. The hotter-performing GLI retains its 228-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine for 2022.
The Volkswagen Jetta sedan is back for 2022 even in the base Golf hatchback isn’t. PHOTO: VOLKSWAGEN