2015 Volkswagen Jetta Review: Budget Friendly & Reliable German Car With No Serious Problems

The 2015 Volkswagen Jetta lasts around 250,000 miles with some minor engine sensor and clutch issues. At $10,800 to $15,650, it’s a great value for an entry-level German car with a high-quality interior.

Is the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 8/10 – 2015 is a good year for the VW Jetta, good reliability paired with a nice interior gives it a high overall rating compared to other compact cars. Owner reviews praise the fun turbo engine, passenger room, and technology.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are luxurious for a compact car, the seats are more supportive than average, there’s also more cargo space than competitors.
• Reliability 7/10 – There are no widespread issues reported on the 2015 Jetta. Avoid models from 2009–2011 since they have engine problems. We recommend models from 2012–2018, which all offer better reliability.
• Performance 7/10 – Performance is poor from the standard engine while the turbocharged version produces good power for a compact car.
• Safety 7/10 – The 2015 Jetta gets an overall 5-star rating in government crash tests. Optional safety equipment includes a rearview camera, forward collision warning, as well as a blind spot monitoring system.
• Gas Mileage 9/10 – Fuel economy is great at up to 36 MPG giving 522 miles of range from the 14.5 gallon gas tank. Gas costs are $53 cheaper than average at $171 per month.
• Value 8/10 – The 2015 Jetta maintains excellent build quality while still being cheaper than other compact cars, making it a great value.

What Do Critics Say About the VW Jetta?

• Consumer Reports says the Jetta offers a well-made German car driving experience, with good owner satisfaction scores.
• Edmunds gives the Jetta a 3.5/5 praising the spacious interior, but doesn’t like the weak base engine.
• Kelley Blue Book users rate the Jetta 4.4/5, enjoying the excellent attention to detail throughout the cabin, while owners don’t like the lack of all-wheel-drive.

What Common Problems Does the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta Have?

Common problems found on the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta include the engine stalling while driving, a worn out clutch, as well as the accessory control panel not working. Overall, these problems are average compared to other compact cars. Repair costs are higher than average, though, since parts are more expensive.

The engine stalling while driving is a complaint from owners at around 20,000 miles. A worn out crankshaft position sensor is usually the cause of the problem. Changing out the sensor fixes the problem, costing around $350 depending on local labor rates.

Clutch failures happen on some manual transmissions, which is a small percentage of the total Jetta models, at around 35,000 miles. The clutch is more sensitive in the VW Jetta than in some of its Japanese rivals, leading to it wearing out quickly. Replacing the clutch is a labor-intensive process which costs around $1,800.

The accessory control panel not working is another issue mentioned by owners at around 50,000 miles. In some cases there’s simply a loose connector which costs under $50 to fix. There are also reports of the control panel failing, which costs around $450 to replace.

There are 8 recalls on the 2015 Jetta, which is worse than average for a compact car. The most serious recall covers fuel leaking into the engine compartment. Volkswagen will replace the fuel rails on affected models for free. Other recalls cover the seat backs, as well as the brake master cylinder, which VW will all fix for free as well.

How Long Will the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta Last?

A well-maintained 2015 Jetta should last around 250,000 miles, which is about 50,000 miles less than the highly-rated Toyota Corolla. Regular annual maintenance costs are more expensive than average, according to data from Repair Pal, at $553 per year.

Nearly all 2015 VW Jetta models for sale will have over 100,000 miles, so buyers should be prepared to replace the heater control valve for $250, the brake booster costing $550, as well as the battery cable, which costs $200.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology is good in the 2015 VW Jetta with available 4 or 6.5-inch screens for the stereo system. Optional safety technology includes a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, rear traffic alert, as well as forward collision warning systems.

Is the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta a Good Value?

Yes, the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta is a good value since it’s reliable and offers excellent build quality. Blue book prices range from $10,800 to $15,650, making it cheaper than a Mazda3 or Honda Civic. When new, the price range was $16,215 to $26,410. 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 six models of the VW Jetta offered in 2015 from the Base all the way up to the very efficient TDI.

Base is the entry-level model with:

• 15-Inch Steel Wheels
• Power Windows
• Cloth Seating
• 4-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo With 3.5mm AUX

S is a step up, adding:

• Keyless Entry
• Cruise Control
• Air Conditioning
• 4-Inch Stereo Screen
• Bluetooth Connectivity

SE adds features such as:

• 8L 4-Cylinder Engine
• 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
• Heated Front Seats
• 5-Inch Screen
• Rearview Camera
• 6-Speaker Stereo System

Sport is next in the lineup with:

• 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
• Rear Spoiler
• Sport-Tuned Suspension
• Two-Tone Leatherette Seating

SEL has more features including:

• Power Driver’s Seat
• Leather Seating
• Dual-Zone Climate Control
• 6-Way Power Driver’s Seat
• 9-Speaker Fender Stereo System

TDI is the most efficient model with:

• Diesel Engine
• Cloth Seating
• Dual-Zone Climate Control
• Soft Texture Dash

What Engines Come In the VW Jetta?

• The standard engine is a weak 2.0L 4-cylinder which makes 115 horsepower at up to 28 MPG.
• A step up is the stronger 1.8L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine, which produces 170 horsepower while getting up to 30 MPG. Performance is decent, taking 7.4 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
• There’s the efficient 2.0L turbocharged diesel, which generates 150 horsepower at up to 36 MPG.

What Colors Does the VW Jetta Come In?

How Comfortable Is the  2015 VW Jetta?

The Volkswagen Jetta is more comfortable than many other compact cars from 2015 with seating for up to 5 people. The seats are very well-made and are supportive for long drives.

Passenger room is better than average, with enough leg room in the back seats to easily fit taller adults.

How Much Storage Space Does the VW Jetta Have?

The trunk in the Volkswagen Jetta is larger than other compact cars, offering enough room for 4-6 suitcases.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The sixth generation of the VW Jetta was introduced in 2011, and replaced by the seventh generation in 2019.

2013: 4-wheel disc brakes standard across the lineup.

2014: 5-cylinder engine discontinued, optional rearview camera added.

2015: Minor exterior styling changes, better safety scores, nicer interior materials, and improved diesel engine.

2016: New base engine, standard touchscreen radio, and diesel engine unavailable.

2017: Standard rearview camera on all models, USB connectivity added.

2018: New wheel designs available as well as Wolfsburg edition model.

2019: Fully redesigned for the seventh generation with new safety tech and engines.

How Does the Volkswagen Jetta Compare to the Competition?

The 2015 Volkswagen Jetta ranks average compared to most other compact cars, while the overall fit and finish is better than the competition.

The Toyota Corolla is another compact car which costs around $1,000 more. Standard technology is better in the Toyota Corolla, whereas the VW Jetta has more room for passengers. We recommend the Toyota Corolla since they have lower ownership costs, making them a better choice for a used car.

The Honda Civic is a competitor which costs around $1,200 more. Performance is better in the Civic models with its more powerful engines, but interior materials are much nicer in the VW Jetta. We recommend the Honda Civic to most buyers since they usually last longer based on owner reviews.

Do Owners Recommend the VW Jetta?