The 2017 Volkswagen Jetta lasts around 250,000 miles with only some minor sensor and wiring issues. At $14,000 to $18,700, it’s a good value for an entry-level luxury sedan with excellent long-term reliability ratings.
Is the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2017 is a good year for the Jetta since it is a great budget-friendly reliable compact car giving it a high overall rating. Owner reviews praise the long-term reliability, safety technology, as well as the smooth suspension.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are nice for a compact car, the seats are built to hold taller passengers, cargo space is also great in the trunk.
- Reliability 8/10 – There are no major problems on the 2017 Jetta, giving it a high reliability score. Shoppers should avoid models from 2009–2011 which have more problems. Models from 2012–2018 are much more dependable.
- Performance 7/10 – Performance is okay from the base 4-cylinder engines, although the stronger 4-cylinder in the GLI model is reasonably quick.
- Safety 9/10 – The 2017 Jetta is very safe, earning a 5-star rating in government crash tests. There’s a standard rearview camera. Optional upgrades include adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, as well as forward collision warning with automatic braking.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – Fuel economy is great at up to 33 MPG, giving 478 miles of range from the 14.5 gallon tank. Gas costs are $56 cheaper than average, at $159 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2017 Jetta is cheaper than some other compact cars while still offering a more solid German build quality, making it a good value.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the VW Jetta?
- Consumer Reports says the 2017 Jetta offers improvements over earlier years with decent owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Jetta at 4.3/5, praising the spacious cabin, but they wish it had more horsepower for the GLI model.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Jetta a 4.4/5, enjoying the sporty handling, but owners don’t like the lack of all-wheel-drive.
What Common Problems Does the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta Have?
Common problems found on the 2017 VW Jetta include rodents destroying the soy-based wiring, wheel speed sensor failures, as well as squeaking doors. Overall, these problems are similar to other compact cars from 2017, although repair costs are higher since parts are more expensive.
Rodents destroying the soy-based wiring is the most expensive problem reported by owners in the first 20,000 miles. Volkswagen and many other brands have moved to use a more environmentally friendly wire coating, which unfortunately attracts rodents. Repairing the wiring can cost $50 to $2,000, depending on how damaged it gets. We recommend using battery-operated small strobe lights in the engine compartment to deter rodents.
Wheel speed sensor failures show up on some Jetta models at around 25,000 miles. The sensor simply wears out as the car gets older, and has to be replaced. Changing out the sensor costs around $550, depending on local labor rates.
Squeaking doors are another complaint from some Jetta owners at around 10,000 miles. When the door hinges are out of alignment, they may squeak. Re-aligning the door hinges is a fairly easy process which can be done for under $50 by most dealerships.
There are 7 recalls on the 2017 Jetta, which is more than many other compact cars from the same year. The most serious recall covers the fuel rail bolts, which can loosen, allowing fuel lines to leak. VW will replace the bolts as necessary on affected models. Many of the other recalls cover more minor issues, such as labels around the car.
How Long Will the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta Last?
A well-maintained 2017 Volkswagen Jetta lasts around 250,000 miles, which is around 50,000 miles less than the top-rated Toyota Corolla. Regular annual maintenance costs are higher than other compact cars, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $441 per year.
As a 2017 VW Jetta reaches 100,000 miles owners should be prepared to replace the fuel EVAP canister for $400, heater hoses costing $700, as well as the oil cooler, which costs nearly $800.
Yes, it is reliable. We have owned it for two years and have not had any problems. We get the oil changed as scheduled and have the tires rotated. Beyond that we have not incurred any additional repair expenses.
It is very reliable. The only problem that I have is the tire light keeps pooping on but now I know I have to reset it.
Yes it is reliable I have never had any problems. It never lets me down. I have bumper to bumper warranty.
It is very reliable. There are no problems, except when I first purchased the car there was a headlight out, but the dealership repaired it for free.
Yes it is reliable. And not that I have had so far, I have been driving it for 3 years and no problems so far!
My Jetta is ultra reliable and I have never had a problem with it, even on icy roads in Midwestern winters.
So far I have not encountered any problems with this vehicle, however it is still fairly new to me. It does make a whining sound in the summer and my mechanic told me it is just because of the heat and it is not something wrong with the car itself, just need to try to park in the shade when possible.
No problems at all so far. It has good gas mileage and handles very well in winter driving conditions.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is very good in the 2017 VW Jetta with a standard 5-inch touchscreen stereo system. A larger 6.3-inch touchscreen is available as an option. Safety technology is also good, offering a standard rearview camera. Optional safety tech upgrades include adaptive cruise control, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.
Is the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta a Good Value?
Yes, the 2017 VW Jetta is a good value since they offer a nice interior parried with dependable German engineering. Blue book prices range from $14,000 to $18,700, making it cheaper than compact sedan choices like the Honda Civic or Mazda3. When new, the price range was $17,895 to $28,995. Depreciation is similar to other compact cars, losing about 10% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the VW Jetta?
There are four models of the Jetta offered in 2017, from the base S up to the sportier GLI.
S is the entry-level model with:
- 16-Inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Upholstery Seating
- Keyless Entry
- Cruise Control
- Rearview Camera
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- USB Port
- 5-Inch Touchscreen
- 4-Speaker Stereo System
SE is a step up, adding:
- 16-Inch Aluminum Alloy Wheels
- Keyless Ignition
- Synthetic Leather Upholstery Seating
- Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
- Heated Front Seats
- Blind-Spot Monitoring
- 3-Inch Touchscreen
- Satellite Radio
SEL has more luxury features including:
- Chrome Exterior Trim
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Dual-Zone Climate Control
- Six-Way Power Seating
- Navigation System
- Forward Collision Warning
- Automatic Braking
- 6-Speaker Stereo System
GLI is the sportiest model which adds:
- 18-Inch Aluminum Wheels
- Sport-Tuned Suspension
- Upgraded Brakes
- Parking Sensors
- Sport Seats
- 9-Speaker Fender Stereo System
What Engines Come In the VW Jetta?
- The base engine is an efficient turbocharged 1.4L 4-cylinder which makes 150 horsepower while getting up to 33 MPG. It comes with either a five-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic.
- An available upgrade is the stronger 1.8L 4-cylinder which produces 170 horsepower at up to 29 MPG. This comes only with a six-speed automatic transmission.
- On the GLI model is a more powerful 2.0L 4-cylinder which generates 210 horsepower while getting up to 27 MPG. There’s a standard six-speed manual transmission, while a six-speed dual-clutch automatic is optional. Performance is good, taking around 7 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the VW Jetta Come In?
How Comfortable Is the VW Jetta?
The 2017 VW Jetta is a very comfortable compact car, offering seating for up to 5 passengers. Seating is very nice, offering materials that are both durable and luxurious while also being supportive for longer drives paired with heated seats.
Passenger room is better than many other compact cars since there is enough space in the backseats to easily fit taller adults.
How Much Storage Space Does the VW Jetta Have?
Cargo space is great in the trunk of the Jetta, offering enough room to fit 3-4 full size suitcases, and a bit more with the available split-fold rear seats.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The sixth generation of the VW Jetta came out in 2011, and was replaced by the seventh generation in 2019.
2015: Minor exterior styling changes, upgraded interior quality, as well as a more efficient diesel engine.
2016: New entry-level engine, standard touchscreen stereo system, and diesel engine removed for diesel-gate.
2017: Standard rearview camera on all models, USB added to the stereo system.
2018: New wheel choices available, Wolfsburg edition model added.
2019: Fully redesigned for the seventh generation with new engines, technology, and styling.
2020: Car-Net telecommunications systems standard, wireless charging added, 6-speed manual offered on R-Line.
2021: Upgraded stereo system on SEL and higher models.
How Does the VW Jetta Compare to the Competition?
The Volkswagen Jetta is one of the best compact sedans offered in 2017 since it’s reliable with excellent German build quality, making it a great choice.
The Volkswagen Passat is a larger sedan offered by Volkswagen which is around $1,500 more. Passenger room is better in the Volkswagen Passat, while the Volkswagen Jetta offers more nimble steering. We recommend the Volkswagen Jetta for most buyers, unless you need the extra room found in the Passat.
The Honda Civic is another compact car which costs about $2,200 more. Performance is better in the Honda Civic, while the overall build-quality and interior materials are nicer in the Volkswagen Jetta. We recommend the Honda Civic for many shoppers since they have lower ownership costs, however, both are excellent choices.
Do Owners Recommend the Volkswagen Jetta?
Yes. It is very reliable, gets good gas mileage, and requires minimal maintenance. We purchased the car at a reasonable price making it economical as well.
Yes. It is my first car and the most reliable thing in the world. It is good on gas and drives so smooth.
Yes. I love my Jetta I get really good gas mileage 35 miles per gallon highway 30 in town. I love the way it handles on the road no. Matter what the weather.
Yes, it is very reliable and cost-efficient. It is the perfect car for my daughter who is a new driver.
Yes, it is reliable, it is good on gas and it is enough space for my 70 lb dog. Volkswagen also runs forever:).
Yes, I thoroughly enjoy my Jetta and would recommend it to anyone looking for a comfortable, yet sporty and safe 4 door compact sedan. The amenities of the vehicle stand out amongst its competitors offering luxury features at an affordable price point.
Yes, I find that the gas mile late is really good and the seat warmers make winter a lot easier. It also has a good amount of trunk space which has been helpful to me as a college student that has to move in and out of dorms fairly frequently.
Yes very economical and has good safety features also. It is also roomy enough for family to ride in.
