The 2020 Volkswagen Jetta lasts around 250,000 miles with relatively minor oil consumption and transmission noise issues reported. At $14,879 to $28,499, it’s a great value for an entry-level German sedan with a comfortable cabin.
Is the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2020 is a good year for the Volkswagen Jetta, offering quality improvements over earlier years. Owner reviews praise the affordable running costs, stereo system, along with the quick upgraded engine.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are very nice for a small sedan, the seats are extremely supportive on long drives, the trunk is also big for its size.
- Reliability 8/10 – There are no serious problems reported on the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta. Avoid models from 2019 since they have transmission problems, while 2020-2022 are more reliable.
- Performance 7/10 – The base engine in the Jetta is similar to other small sedans, while the upgraded engine is reasonably quick for its size.
- Safety 8/10 – The 2020 Jetta is safe, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. There’s a standard rearview camera. Automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, along with blind spot monitoring are all optional.
- Gas Mileage 9/10 – Fuel economy is great at up to 34 MPG, giving 459 miles of range from the 13.5 gallon tank. Gas costs are $57 cheaper than average at $129 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2020 Volkswagen Jetta is cheaper than many other compact cars on the market while also offering good luxury, making it a good value.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the VW Jetta?
- Consumer Reports says the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta is a praise-worthy compact car with impressive fuel economy and high owner satisfaction scores
- Edmunds rates the Jetta at 3.9/5, praising the smooth ride for a compact car, but doesn’t like the brakes feel grabby.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Jetta a 4.2/5, enjoying the spacious interior, but owners don’t like that there’s less safety technology than some competitors.
What Common Problems Does the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta Have?
Common problems found on the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta include excessive oil consumption, loud noises while changing gears, along with squeaky rear brakes. Overall, most of these problems are relatively minor, leading to average repair costs as the Jetta ages.
Excessive oil consumption is the most widespread complaint from 2020 Jetta owners in the first 5,000 miles. Usually the extra oil consumption is normal for the engine. To reduce wear and tear on the components, VW allows some oil to be burnt. The best thing to do is check the oil level regularly and top it off as needed if it starts to get too low.
Loud noises while changing gears are another issue mentioned by Jetta owners at roughly 7,500 miles. In most cases, the noise is just part of the normal transmission operation while downshifting. In rare cases it’s caused by a damaged synchro ring from the factory. Having the transmission repaired early into the ownership experience is usually covered under warranty. If your car has issues out of warranty then a rebuild can cost around $1,200.
Squeaky rear brakes also show up on some Jetta models at around 15,000 miles. The rear brake pads tend to wear out quicker since they’re not as thick as the front ones. Replacing the rear brake pads costs around $250, depending on local labor rates.
There are four recalls on the 2020 Jetta, which is more than some other compact cars from the same year. The most serious recall covers the brake caliper bolts, which may be too loose from the factory The other recalls cover tire pressure losses, along with air bags, which are common on all cars.
How Long Will the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta Last?
A well-maintained 2020 VW Jetta can last around 250,000 miles, which is only slightly shorter than the long-lasting Toyota Corolla. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to other small cars, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at around $414 per year.
As a used 2020 Volkswagen Jetta reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history owners should be prepared to replace the brake master cylinder for $350, ignition coils costing $150, along with the heater hose which costs around $650.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is great in the 2020 Jetta with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen which has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. There’s an optional 8-inch touchscreen found on higher-end models and a more powerful BeatsAudio stereo system.
Safety technology is good for a compact car, offering a standard rearview camera.
Optional advanced driver assistance features include:
- Forward collision warning
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane keep assist
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane departure warning
- Blind spot monitoring
- Automatic high beam headlights
Is the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta a Good Value?
Yes, the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta is a good value since you get a lot of technology and comfort in a small sedan for the money. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $14,879 to $28,499, making it similar to a Honda Civic or Mazda3. When new, the price range was $18,895 to $30,745. Depreciation is similar to other small sedans, losing about 10% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the VW Jetta?
There are five different models of the main VW Jetta offered for the 2020 model year, from the base S model, all the way up to the more luxurious SEL Premium model. The Jetta is only offered with front-wheel drive. There’s also a high performance Jetta GLI model.
S is the entry-level model with:
- 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Cloth Seats
- LED Headlights
- 5-Inch Touchscreen
- Two USB-C Ports
SE adds features including:
- Keyless Entry and Ignition
- Panoramic Sunroof
- Heated Front Seats
- Simulated Leather Upholstery Called V-Tex
- Driver Assistance Package
- Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
- Optional Cold Weather Package
R-Line offers upgrades such as:
- Sport Rear Bumper
- Gloss-Black Exterior Trim
- Electronic Locking Differential
- Upgraded Sport Trim Interior
SEL adds some luxury with:
- Digital Instrument Panel
- Heated Rear Seats
- Wireless Phone Charging
- 8-inch Touchscreen
- Nine-Speaker BeatsAudio Sound System
- Remote Engine Start
- Heated Steering Wheel
SEL Premium is the flagship model which has:
- Ventilated Front Seats
- Full Leather Upholstery
- Navigation System
- Driver-Seat Memory Settings
GLI is the high-performance model which has:
- Stronger Engine
- Limited-Slip Differential
- DCC Adaptive Suspension
- Exclusive Exterior Trim
What Engines Come In the VW Jetta?
- The standard engine found in the 2020 VW Jetta is an average 1.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder which makes 147 horsepower while getting up to 34 MPG. It comes with either a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic transmission.
- An available upgrade is the stronger 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder which produces 228 horsepower and gets up to 28 MPG. It also has either the six-speed manual transmission or the eight-speed automatic. Performance is good, taking 6 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the VW Jetta Come In?
How Comfortable Is the VW Jetta?
The 2020 VW Jetta offers a comfortable and refined driving experience, thanks to its well-designed cabin and focus on driver and passenger comfort.
The seats are spacious and supportive, with ample legroom and headroom, even for taller passengers. The Jetta also offers a smooth and composed ride, with a suspension that effectively absorbs road imperfections and minimizes the amount of road noise that enters the cabin.
The interior of the 2020 Jetta is well-designed and features high-quality materials
that enhance the overall feel of the car. The dashboard and door panels are made of soft-touch materials, while the steering wheel and shift knob are covered in a tactile, leather-like material. These features, combined with the spacious and supportive seats, create a welcoming and comfortable environment for drivers and passengers.
How Much Storage Space Does the VW Jetta Have?
The trunk in the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta has a storage capacity of 14.1 cubic feet, making it a relatively spacious option for a compact sedan. This should be enough storage space for a weekend getaway or grocery shopping, but may not be enough for a large family trip with multiple suitcases. The trunk is also designed with practicality in mind, featuring a wide opening and a low lift height for easy loading and unloading of cargo.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The seventh generation of the VW Jetta was launched for the 2019 model year.
2015: Improved interior quality along with some small exterior styling changes.
2016: New entry-level engine, standard touchscreen stereo system, diesel engine removed for this year.
2017: Standard rearview camera on all models, USB port added to the stereo system.
2018: New wheels available, Wolfsburg Edition added.
2019: Fully redesigned for the seventh generation with new engines, technology, and styling choices.
2020: Standard Car-Net telecommunications system, wireless charging added, six-speed manual transmission on the R-Line model.
2021: Upgraded stereo system on the SEL and higher models.
How Does the VW Jetta Compare to the Competition?
The 2020 Volkswagen Jetta is a very nice compact car compared to the competition since it offers an entry-level German car driving experience for shoppers on a budget.
The Honda Civic is another compact car available for around $2,000 more. The Honda Civic is a bit sportier to drive, while the VW Jetta offers a roomier interior for a compact sedan. We recommend the Honda Civic since they’re cheaper to own, although it’s worth testing out both to see which you prefer.
The
Volkswagen Passat is a larger sedan offered by VW which can be found for about $2,500 more. There’s more passenger room in the VW Passat, while the VW Jetta has more advanced safety technology available. For the 2020 model year, we recommend the VW Jetta since it’s more up-to-date, but in earlier years the competition is closer.
