Updating the 2022 Jetta and Jetta GLI

March 22, 2022 

 Although U.S. buyers are moving more toward SUVs, the sedan segment still represents a significant portion of the market — and the Jetta has been and continues to be a key pillar in the Volkswagen lineup. Since it launched here in 1980, Jetta has grown to become Volkswagen’s most recognizable nameplate in the United States, selling more than 3.8 million units as of the end of 2021.

The Volkswagen Jetta continues to provide a youthful and polished design in addition to reliability and value, while the Jetta GLI delivers an accessible German performance sedan. Here’s how we updated the 2022 models to carry these missions forward.

The enhancements for the main Jetta lineup focus on elements that strengthen the value that compact sedan shoppers seek. The 2022 Jetta adds sought after features and delivers an enhanced driving experience with the all-new 1.5-liter engine. It’s also complemented with attractive design enhancements to both the interior and exterior.

Starting with the exterior — you can see that the Jetta features a more open upper and lower grille, giving the car a solid, strong stance. In the rear, there’s a new diffuser featuring chrome accents on either side. New 16- and 17-inch alloy wheel designs range from sporty to sophisticated, and this update also includes a black wheel option available for the SE trim.

Inside, the Jetta’s interior features have been upgraded with subtle design enhancements that offer a more polished finish, adding new decor with modern designs like those in the SEL trim. We also included a new steering wheel design and gear shifter which offers a more modern and sleek appearance. The 2022 Jetta features new textile upgrades, including ceramic contrast stitching found on the door trim panels, the armrest and seats.  Further, the 2022 Jetta now also offers new volcano brown leather seating surfaces and two-tone cloth fabrics including the introduction of a GLI-like cloth in the new sport trim.

In terms of technology and driver assistance features, the 2022 Jetta has been standardized with Autonomous Emergency Braking and Active Blind Spot Monitor.^⁠1 The IQ.DRIVE® driver assistance technology is now available on all trims and includes Travel Assist and Emergency Assist — two features that are new to the Jetta line. For standard equipment, the Jetta comes with the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, App-Connect for compatible devices, and Car-Net® with available WiFi. ^⁠2 ⁠3 Available features include a BeatsAudio® premium sound system, ambient lighting, wireless App-Connect including wireless charging for compatible phones, and ventilated front seats.

The big news under the hood comes from a new engine for the main Jetta line — the latest generation turbo 1.5-liter four-cylinder, fitted with new technology and slightly larger displacements to both improve performance and drivability. It delivers 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque and will continue to be offered with a manual transmission, remaining true to its roots as a driver’s vehicle.

The GLI exterior upgrades include a new honeycomb grille and a bumper which encompass the signature GLI red accent lines on either side. The design is rounded out with beautiful new 18-inch alloy wheels. A new honeycomb diffuser in the rear sports chrome dual exhaust pipes, with a more amplified sound thanks to better acoustics from enhanced mechanical parts — no fake noises from sound actuators here.

The GLI interior upgrades refine the sporty appearance of this much-loved model. Enhancements include the new red-tinted seat design – the seat perforation is lined with red accents that add a unique depth and sporty appearance, along with new gear shifter and the steering wheel which features that much loved GLI badge.

The 2022 GLI comes in one trim level — Autobahn — that includes a wealth of standard equipment, from haptic-touch steering wheel and IQ.DRIVE driver assistance features to wireless App-Connect and wireless charging for compatible devices. The BeatsAudio system also comes standard, and for the first time a standard DCC adaptive dampening system.

In the spirit of not fixing what wasn’t broken, we’ve kept the GLI 2.0-liter turbo TSI engine, delivering 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, mated to either the seven-speed DSG automatic or a six-speed manual — the essence of affordable performance and driving enjoyment.

In a sea of SUVs, we still believe in the Jetta. It already excelled in terms of space, value and drivability, and we have pushed those elements even further with the 2022 model year.