2020 Volkswagen Jetta SEL
All photo credits
- Photo: 2025 Volkswagen Jetta SEL, front 3.28.25 by Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2025 Volkswagen Jetta Trendline in Deep Black Pearl, front left, 2024-12-31 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2025 Volkswagen Jetta VII DSC 7405 by Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2025 Volkswagen Jetta SEL, rear 3.28.25 by Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2025 Volkswagen Jetta Trendline in Deep Black Pearl, rear left, 2024-12-31 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 2020 Volkswagen Jetta SEL is a 147-hp 1.4-liter turbocharged with an 8-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $25,495 MSRP and is rated at 34 mpg combined.
It makes 147 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 184 lb-ft of torque at 1400 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 30 mpg city and 40 mpg highway (34 mpg combined).
The Jetta measures 185.1 inches long on a 105.7-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,967 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Sedan |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $25,495 |
| MSRP with Destination | $26,415 |
| Destination Charge | $920 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 1.4L inline four cylinder, 16V, turbocharged/intercooled, TSI |
| Displacement | 1.4 L |
| Horsepower | 147 hp @ 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft @ 1400 rpm |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, tooth-belt, 16-valve, variable intake and exhaust timing |
| Bore and Stroke | 74.5 x 80.0 |
| Compression Ratio | 10.0:1 |
| Injection Type | Direct injection (TSI) |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 30 MPG |
| Highway | 40 MPG |
| Combined | 34 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Regular unleaded |
| Tank Capacity | 13.2 gal |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | Strut-type with lower control arms, coil springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion beam, coil springs, telescopic dampers |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 185.1 in |
| Width | 70.8 in |
| Height | 57.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.7 in |
| Front Track | 60.7 in |
| Rear Track | 60.4 in |
| Ground Clearance | 5.6 in |
| Cargo Volume | 14.1 ft³ |
| Curb Weight | 2,967 lbs |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 38.5 in |
| Headroom Rear | 37.2 in |
| Legroom Front | 41.1 in |
| Legroom Rear | 37.4 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 55.9 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 54 in |
| Hip Room Front | 53 in |
| Hip Room Rear | 51.4 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta SEL with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ (13.1 % risk) |
Recalls
6 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2020 Volkswagen JETTA. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Feb 14, 2024 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7 vehicles. Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are VW: 20UF/Audi: 20YF. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-647 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 16V-647.
NHTSA campaign 24V110000
Aug 30, 2023 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf Sportwagen, 2019-2020 Golf GTI, and Jetta vehicles equipped with a conventional ignition switch. The ignition switch may fail, especially in high temperature environments.
Consequence: Ignition switch failure can cause the electrical system to shut down and the engine to stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 1, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 28H7.
NHTSA campaign 23V604000
Oct 31, 2022 · TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
Consequence: An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audis customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.
NHTSA campaign 22V815000
Jun 30, 2021 · AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Jetta and Jetta GLI vehicles. The air bag control module was welded in the incorrect position.
Consequence: Incorrect positioning of the air bag control module can cause the vehicle's air bags to deploy improperly during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, the vehicle's air bags can deploy unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 28, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69CK.
NHTSA campaign 21V492000
Aug 26, 2020 · SEATS
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen ) is recalling certain 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Jetta, Jetta GLI and Tiguan and Audi Q5 and SQ5 and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. Parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster may not have been welded properly.
Consequence: In the event of a rear-end crash, the backrest adjustment could break, possibly reducing the amount of occupant restraint, thus increasing risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats, and, as necessary, replace the seatback frames, free of charge. The recall began September 11, 2020. Volkswagen owners may contact their customer service at 1-888-241-2289. Audi owners may contact their customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 72L1, 72K8, and 72K9.
NHTSA campaign 20V505000
Jun 17, 2020 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling one 2020 Jetta vehicle. The front brake caliper bolts may come loose.
Consequence: If a brake caliper bolt comes loose, it may affect the vehicle's brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify the owner, and a dealer will replace all four front brake caliper bolts, free of charge. The recall began July 1, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47Q2.
NHTSA campaign 20V359000
54 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2020 Volkswagen JETTA
Owner Complaints
54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Volkswagen JETTA (1 mention a crash, 2 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Electrical System | 17 |
| Unknown Or Other | 13 |
| Engine | 12 |
| Power Train | 7 |
| Service Brakes | 7 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2020 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.