I have a 2020 Jetta SE with the cold weather package. I love my Jetta, I agree with you that at first I wasn't a huge fan of the large grille but it quickly grew on me and I love the way it looks now. I think the more boxy Euro look is amazing, I've always loved that classy understated look of most German vehicles...it's like they're classy and they know it but they don't need to flash it all around and show off. The car is plenty peppy, I've never thought it needed more power than it has. Quick takeoffs, it climbs mountains with ease, it's fairly quiet the engine doesn't sound overworked. I follow VW's maintenance schedule to a T and it's always been serviced at the dealer I bought it from and have had no problems at all with mine. It's now 4 years old and has 52,000 miles on it. It's comfortable on a trip and gets amazing MPG, usually on a road trip it averages in the mid 40's, which is so nice at the pump, I didn't expect that when I bought it. Around town it gets in the mid 30's, which is respectable. I like that it doesn't sit as low to the ground as most small cars, it's easy to get in and out of, my dad has a 2020 Kia Forte and it's very hard to get in and out of and sits way to low to the ground. I'm 6'3" and another thing that amazes me about my Jetta is the front legroom, it's the only car I've ever had that I don't keep the seat all the way back in, it actually has more legroom than I need...I love that about it. I had knee surgery and I can actually stretch my leg all the way out, which is so awesome and makes long drives much more comfortable. The steering is so nice, it's tight and feels sure footed on the road. In bad weather it runs like a champ. I've had small cars that feel so light and unsafe in heavy rain or snow but not the Jetta, it feels planted and safe. The only things I'd say I wish it had are ventilated front seats, the black leatherette can be really hot in the summer (I think that's an option on the higher trims). Also, in the same vein, I wish it had AC vents in the back seat. It does have heated seats in the front and back and heated windshield wipers which is nice in the winter. Overall I'd give my 2020 Jetta 10/10, the quibbles I have are so minor and the good by far outweighs any bad.
You commented off the bat that the styling is "subtle". Here's my opinion - it's not a super-sporty tuner or a zoom-zoom. It's a mature sedan, one that an adult would drive and appreciate as-is. Blend in with the crowd? Sure. Not everyone needs to draw attention. But a fine-looking car that looks more expensive than it is.
Andy, I agree completely. I have a 2020 VW Jetta and I love it. This car is stylish, roomy, comfortable, practical, and gets great fuel economy. People who give this car a pass don't know what they are missing!
This is my 3rd one!! The first one got into an accident!!! Hit the medium 2 times onto 95n when I tell you guys I walked out without a scratch!!! This car protected me so much so that I was able to open the door and leave...the 2nd one someone hit me and again walked out without a scratch!!!! It's like this vicar knows to protect its driver!! ❤ I am now on my 3rd one and I love it!!!!! The 2021 rocks!!! With one exception the xm radio has to be played from your phone and the screen is kind of small...but aside from that!!!! It's a great car!!! Let's also talk about the 450 miles you get with a full tank!!!!
I have a 2019 SE I average high 30’s to low 40’s in mixed driving. If the VW badge has ice on it the master alarm is lit until you scrape it off. The EBA and cross traffic backup work great. As for snow I live in SW PA with rolling hills 6-10 degree grades are common. Last December we got 9” while I was at work. I got back (25 miles) without ever getting stuck on all seasons.
Hi Mike. I have a 2019 Jetta S and it has the “Driver Assistance Package” which includes rear cross traffic alert, emergency braking (with a manual!), and blind spot monitoring. Don’t know if the SE is available with that package, but the S still is this year. Anyhow, new subscriber, thanks for the reviews!
Car Mike Happy to report that I haven’t tested it. Apparently it’s just the same as with an automatic except that the car stalls. When I was shopping the guy at the Subaru dealer talked about how bad emergency braking is in a manual for that reason which is pretty funny. I’d rather have to restart the car than have an accident... BTW, the stick in the Jetta is quite excellent.
I just bought an 2020 SE yesterday, I upgraded from Jetta 2008 SE, the drive experience on this vehicle is really smooth!! I just dont fully understand the front assistance, where it shows or how do I display it ???
Hey Esteban. Thanks for the comment, I’m not really sure what you mean by front assistance? Are you talking about the emergency braking or adaptive cruise control?
As you may have figured out, it happened automatically when you are speeding towards an object and you don’t hit the brakes. It will make a sound and flash a large exclamation on the gauge cluster. It’s self managed
Bought the Jetta S base model . ..very nice car with plenty of safety features . I enjoy the quiet smooth ride and plenty of power for a vehicle with great gas mileage Standard alloy wheels was a plus for me
Does your S mode include mirror blind spot alerts? Asking because I’m looking into buying one but the info online is saying it doesn’t while the SE does
Hiya! I’m looking for my first car and I’ve heard that this is quite a safe car for teenagers, I’m the uk and looked at the Volkswagen website and I can’t find the car on there, I was just wondering if you know if they sell the car in the uk or just in America- great review!
Thanks, this person on YT. I don’t think they sell it in the UK anymore. Looks like you can find as new as a 2018 used. But with the new model they don’t sell in the UK. Good luck.
Hi I bought 2020 new I find it hard to get into but I was used to xterra Nissan 2nd it is very rough ride compared to Nissan xterra I don't know if there adj in shock absorber or. Maybe larger tires. Any opinion thanks ROBERT
@@CarMikeReviews Here click this link. Then afterwards go to the SEL model and locate the safety features, in which you will find the lane keeping assist www.vw.com/models/jetta/section/overview/
Thanks, Pedro. Very Interesting. I did not see that for the SE. looks like it also has adaptive cruise control... but this is only for the SEL ans SEL premium? I looked under a different section before so thanks for the link. I’ll go back and look at what I said but my comments in general were intended around the SE trim.
@@CarMikeReviews Yes the adaptive cruise control is only for the SEL and above. I test drove the car just yesterday as I'm considering it as my next lease. I'm coming from a 2017 Fusion SE
The transmission or torque converters are making grinding noises at 28mph and 39mph. There is a pending class action lawsuit on this issue. Vw needs to address this serious safety concern.
I love my Jetta se especially the leatherette heated seats and tight, responsive steering.
The subtle VW design is classy, elegant, and will look good years from now.
I have a 2020 Jetta SE with the cold weather package. I love my Jetta, I agree with you that at first I wasn't a huge fan of the large grille but it quickly grew on me and I love the way it looks now. I think the more boxy Euro look is amazing, I've always loved that classy understated look of most German vehicles...it's like they're classy and they know it but they don't need to flash it all around and show off. The car is plenty peppy, I've never thought it needed more power than it has. Quick takeoffs, it climbs mountains with ease, it's fairly quiet the engine doesn't sound overworked. I follow VW's maintenance schedule to a T and it's always been serviced at the dealer I bought it from and have had no problems at all with mine. It's now 4 years old and has 52,000 miles on it. It's comfortable on a trip and gets amazing MPG, usually on a road trip it averages in the mid 40's, which is so nice at the pump, I didn't expect that when I bought it. Around town it gets in the mid 30's, which is respectable. I like that it doesn't sit as low to the ground as most small cars, it's easy to get in and out of, my dad has a 2020 Kia Forte and it's very hard to get in and out of and sits way to low to the ground. I'm 6'3" and another thing that amazes me about my Jetta is the front legroom, it's the only car I've ever had that I don't keep the seat all the way back in, it actually has more legroom than I need...I love that about it. I had knee surgery and I can actually stretch my leg all the way out, which is so awesome and makes long drives much more comfortable. The steering is so nice, it's tight and feels sure footed on the road. In bad weather it runs like a champ. I've had small cars that feel so light and unsafe in heavy rain or snow but not the Jetta, it feels planted and safe. The only things I'd say I wish it had are ventilated front seats, the black leatherette can be really hot in the summer (I think that's an option on the higher trims). Also, in the same vein, I wish it had AC vents in the back seat. It does have heated seats in the front and back and heated windshield wipers which is nice in the winter. Overall I'd give my 2020 Jetta 10/10, the quibbles I have are so minor and the good by far outweighs any bad.
You commented off the bat that the styling is "subtle". Here's my opinion - it's not a super-sporty tuner or a zoom-zoom. It's a mature sedan, one that an adult would drive and appreciate as-is. Blend in with the crowd? Sure. Not everyone needs to draw attention. But a fine-looking car that looks more expensive than it is.
Andy, I agree completely. I have a 2020 VW Jetta and I love it. This car is stylish, roomy, comfortable, practical, and gets great fuel economy. People who give this car a pass don't know what they are missing!
This is my 3rd one!! The first one got into an accident!!! Hit the medium 2 times onto 95n when I tell you guys I walked out without a scratch!!! This car protected me so much so that I was able to open the door and leave...the 2nd one someone hit me and again walked out without a scratch!!!! It's like this vicar knows to protect its driver!! ❤ I am now on my 3rd one and I love it!!!!! The 2021 rocks!!! With one exception the xm radio has to be played from your phone and the screen is kind of small...but aside from that!!!! It's a great car!!! Let's also talk about the 450 miles you get with a full tank!!!!
I have a 2019 SE I average high 30’s to low 40’s in mixed driving. If the VW badge has ice on it the master alarm is lit until you scrape it off. The EBA and cross traffic backup work great. As for snow I live in SW PA with rolling hills 6-10 degree grades are common. Last December we got 9” while I was at work. I got back (25 miles) without ever getting stuck on all seasons.
Great review mike! Does the backup camera feature dynamic guidelines ??
Yes
it's a great car. Had a '14 Jetta SE 1.8. Loved it. They're really nice to pilot.
Hi Mike. I have a 2019 Jetta S and it has the “Driver Assistance Package” which includes rear cross traffic alert, emergency braking (with a manual!), and blind spot monitoring. Don’t know if the SE is available with that package, but the S still is this year. Anyhow, new subscriber, thanks for the reviews!
Awesome. Thanks, Alan. How is that emergency braking with a manual? Really cool.
Car Mike Happy to report that I haven’t tested it. Apparently it’s just the same as with an automatic except that the car stalls. When I was shopping the guy at the Subaru dealer talked about how bad emergency braking is in a manual for that reason which is pretty funny. I’d rather have to restart the car than have an accident... BTW, the stick in the Jetta is quite excellent.
My 2019 Jetta SEL has adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and braking...did that change with 2020?
I just bought an 2020 SE yesterday, I upgraded from Jetta 2008 SE, the drive experience on this vehicle is really smooth!! I just dont fully understand the front assistance, where it shows or how do I display it ???
Hey Esteban. Thanks for the comment, I’m not really sure what you mean by front assistance? Are you talking about the emergency braking or adaptive cruise control?
As you may have figured out, it happened automatically when you are speeding towards an object and you don’t hit the brakes. It will make a sound and flash a large exclamation on the gauge cluster. It’s self managed
Bought the Jetta S base model . ..very nice car with plenty of safety features . I enjoy the quiet smooth ride and plenty of power for a vehicle with great gas mileage
Standard alloy wheels was a plus for me
Does your S mode include mirror blind spot alerts? Asking because I’m looking into buying one but the info online is saying it doesn’t while the SE does
@@jeremiahbaker1274
Yes
Hiya! I’m looking for my first car and I’ve heard that this is quite a safe car for teenagers, I’m the uk and looked at the Volkswagen website and I can’t find the car on there, I was just wondering if you know if they sell the car in the uk or just in America- great review!
Thanks, this person on YT. I don’t think they sell it in the UK anymore. Looks like you can find as new as a 2018 used. But with the new model they don’t sell in the UK. Good luck.
good review very informative
I love the exterior
Hi I bought 2020 new I find it hard to get into but I was used to xterra Nissan 2nd it is very rough ride compared to Nissan xterra I don't know if there adj in shock absorber or. Maybe larger tires. Any opinion thanks ROBERT
The SE does come equipped with Emergency Breaking System and the higher trims do have lane keeping assistance.
Prove it, dude. Show me facts.
@@CarMikeReviews Here click this link. Then afterwards go to the SEL model and locate the safety features, in which you will find the lane keeping assist
www.vw.com/models/jetta/section/overview/
Thanks, Pedro. Very Interesting. I did not see that for the SE. looks like it also has adaptive cruise control... but this is only for the SEL ans SEL premium? I looked under a different section before so thanks for the link. I’ll go back and look at what I said but my comments in general were intended around the SE trim.
@@CarMikeReviews Yes the adaptive cruise control is only for the SEL and above. I test drove the car just yesterday as I'm considering it as my next lease. I'm coming from a 2017 Fusion SE
I liked the car! Good luck with ur purchase, Pedro.
Base model is a great deal....lots of features...standard alloy wheels
Great gas mileage
Agreed!
Great quality....bought it
Good luck!
USB-c is superior to usb-a in every way
Hi I'm back Mike my phone broke so I got a new one thanks for this review
Could you do a review on the 2021 Jetta SE ?
It’s the same
The transmission or torque converters are making grinding noises at 28mph and 39mph. There is a pending class action lawsuit on this issue. Vw needs to address this serious safety concern.
Thanks for the heads up. Do you have an article about it to share?
@@CarMikeReviews 2018 2019 and now some 2020s are experiencing this issue.
www.classaction.org/vw-jetta-transmission-torque-converter-lawsuits
As far as I know, this was only a concern with the 2019 Jettas.
@@Mr20001 negative.
@@scarystories190 Yeah, I’m pretty sure.
How was the radio sound? Is it adequate?
Terrible radio
does it have a rear camera system?
Yes.
Does it have lane assist ?
Yes, it is available!
Can the instrumental cluster be replaced with the virtual cockpit?
binny singh it can be, but with the cost and labor, you might as well go with the SEL
Yas let's go yas
I like the body on the 2018 better! This one looks too insignificant to me. Reminds me of a family car. Very subtle and boring :-(