Simple. Efficient. Speed. Why the Volkswagen Jetta is the Best Car on the Market.

Cars... they are both a joy and a curse. Find out why the Volkswagen Jetta is arguably the best car on the market. 

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Cars. They are both a joy and a curse. When trying to figure out which specific brand of car is in favor, which type of car is the safest, and the best option for the bank account is one of the hardest things to do. None other than the Volkswagen Jetta seems to meet all of these so-called requirements. At first, the company Volkswagen was unknown in my eyes until the specific year of  2021. How can a car be so all around perfect for anyone? At first I was skeptical regarding this little German car, but soon after bringing one home I fell in love with the all around aspects of the car. The true question can be stated as follows: why is this compact car all around safe, easy to drive, spacious, yet still highly efficient? Several car makes and models have been constructed by many other institutions, however the Volkswagen Jetta seems to hold the best ‘bang for a buck.’ 
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The newest models of the Volkswagen Jetta have been proven to carry some of the best gas mileage in the car world. According to Findlay North Volkswagen in Centennial Hills, Las Vegas, “While the standard Jetta comes with a high MPG rating of around 30 within city limits and around 40 on freeways, the automatic version goes up to offering a gas mileage of 43. Jettas with manual transmission can earn an MPG rating of up to 48. The average combined city/highway gas mileage of the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta comes up to 33, which is great for any car that falls in this price range.” Each make and model of vehicle from any company ranges greatly in the gas mileage. Conservation and efficiency are highly favored when choosing a car especially today when gas prices are soaring at an all time high. Today’s gas prices are an issue, so with a vehicle the standard rule of thumb is this: the heavier the car the lower the gas mileage. Since the Jetta is a very lightweight car this also plays a role in the conservation of gas. From the statistics listed in Findlay North Volkswagen’s analysis, the Jetta gets very high miles per gallon. The total average of the 2021 Jetta’s gas consumption is around 33. Comparing the mileage to other cars places the Jetta as one of the least fuel consuming vehicles. The Green Car Congress states in regards to gas mileage of the average car in a study in the year 2020, “ Fuel economy decreased by 0.2 miles per gallon to 24.9 mpg, or slightly below the record high achieved in model year 2018.” In comparison with the Jetta models of cars at 33 miles to a gallon, drivers can see that this is a big gap. That is precisely an 8.1 mile difference when comparing the average car in 2020 to the average volkswagen. There is also a staggering difference between a Jetta with a manual transmission and a Jetta with an automatic transmission. Findlay North VW mentioned that the automatic Jetta’s can get upwards of 43 compared to the manual transmission at a staggering 48. From this statistic it proves how much better off it is to have a manual transmission in a car than it is to have an automatic. Since the driver can shift the car themselves it also allows the driver to control his or her gas mileage. 

Equally as important as gas mileage is the total cost of the vehicle. Drivers need a car that will not avert the bank account from growing. Consumer reports gives several aspects of data related to the beloved Volkswagen Jetta car. They provide specific statistics in regards to the cost of Jettas. In their analysis it mentions that the base prices of 2021 Jettas range from approximately $21,725 - $32,200.  While purchasing a car also comes the process of loans and the cost of the APR interest added onto the loan. With the base price of a car being this low in the year of 2021 and 2022 is fairly cheap for a car.  Finding a highly affordable car is everyone’s dream due to the high cost of cars these days. Sebastian Blanco with Car and Driver states as follows, “KBB has calculated that the average price of a new car in the U.S. in December was $47,077. That's up from $46,329 in November.” This was according to statistics based on cars in general within the last couple months of 2021. With the recent happenings in the world, inflation, and the shortages the Volkswagen Jetta still comes ahead in price. VW has made the Jetta to allow people who need a cheaper car, but still reliable, efficient, and enough torque.

Furthermore, the Volkswagen Jetta provides a simple yet elegant driving experience for the operator. With the sporty exterior also comes a polished interior. Most of the more modern day cars come with various buttons that perform individual tasks within the car. Technology has been on the rise within the past couple decades, which also means that it applies to the car industry. Christian Wardlaw in a review for the Volkswagen Jetta stated, “Cloth upholstery is standard, with leather included in Autobahn trim. The Autobahn version also has Volkswagen Digital Cockpit gauges and a more sophisticated touchscreen infotainment system for a high-tech look. Materials reflect the Jetta’s status as an affordable compact car, but with low levels of surface gloss and complementary textures delivering a properly Germanic appearance and sense of quality.” Other car brands including Tesla, Audi, and BMW are all transferring over to a more complex interior. Buttons can prove a distraction for the driver while he or she is operating the vehicle. That is why Volkswagen’s Jetta is also great for younger drivers who are possibly less experienced. The seats are also more comfortable in the Jetta as well, allowing the operator to drive in comfort.

Lastly, this type of car has a large trunk space so drivers can haul a lot of cargo. Trunk space is a high priority for people so they can travel to and from the grocery store with ease. Space in the trunk is always a concern with compact cars due to the fact that they are so small. Wardlaw from J.D Powersports also mentions, “Thanks to large door panel bins, a sizable tray forward of the transmission shifter, a generously proportioned glove box, and a decently roomy bin underneath the center console armrest, the Jetta offers good storage for a compact car. Open the Jetta’s 14.1 cubic-foot trunk, and you’ll find plenty of luggage space plus grips to grab to swing the lid shut after you’ve loaded the car. The rear seat folds down in a 60/40-split design, adding to the Jetta’s versatility.” When Jetta owners open the trunk to their car they will be met with a high storage space, more precisely a 14.1 cubic foot trunk. This car can fit a Costco run in the trunk no problem. Not to mention there is also plenty of glove box storage in the front of the car. Just like J.D Powersports mentions, the car has a center console armrest in between the driver and passenger that has a deep storage compartment enough to store many items. Volkswagen has put the idea of a ‘no room’ trunk to rest with their Jetta. Several types of other compact cars have less room, often causing frustration with the owners. When considering purchasing a car one needs to look at things like these: luggage capacity for travel, ability to hold items accrued from a trip to the market, and storage of personal items. For this, the Jetta S meets all of the check boxes. 

Cars, cars, and more cars. They are all around us whether we realize it or not. There is always stress when it comes to finding a suitable car for a driver. The ease and comfort of driving is always a necessity when taking into consideration which type and brand of car will be chosen. Fuel efficiency and environmental aspects are a high priority when getting out on the road. When looking for a car on a budget the Volkswagen Jetta is a perfect option due to the fact that it will not break the bank account. All of these reasons prove and emphasize that the Volkswagen Jetta is without a doubt the best car on the market. Still to this day Volkswagen makes these compact cars that are worth every penny. On the long drive, the Volkswagen Jetta will be the ultimate ride and the simple sensation with a prolonged life, so the owner can enjoy the ride. 

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Works Cited

Admin. “All You Need to Know about the Gas Mileage of 2021 Volkswagen Jetta.” Findlay North Volkswagen, 29 June 2021, https://www.findlaynorthvw.com/blog/gas-mileage-of-2021-volkswagen-jetta/. 
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Blanco, Sebastian. “New Car Price Keeps Climbing, with Average Now at Almost $47,100.” Car and Driver, Car and Driver, 12 Jan. 2022, https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a38748092/new-car-average-sale-prices-47100/. 

“EPA: Preliminary Data Show Average Fuel Economy of New Light-Duty Vehicles Reached a Record High of 25.7 Mpg in 2020.” Green Car Congress, Environmental Protection Agency , 16 Mar. 2021, https://www.greencarcongress.com/2021/03/20210316-epatrends.html#:~:text=Fuel%20economy%20decreased%20by%200.2,0.8%20mpg%20to%2025.7%20mpg. 

KBB Editors. “9 Best Small Cars for 2022 - Kelley Blue Book.” 9 Best Small Cars for 2022, Kelley Blue Book, 10 Apr. 2021, https://www.kbb.com/best-cars/best-small-cars/. 

Wardlaw, Christian. “2020 Volkswagen Jetta Review.” J.D. Power, J.D Power, 8 July 2020, https://www.jdpower.com/cars/expert-reviews/2020-volkswagen-jetta-review. 
“Volkswagen Jetta.” Consumer Reports, Consumer Reports, https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/volkswagen/jetta/. 

“Volkswagen.” Volkswagen Cars, SUVs, & Minivans - Consumer Reports, Consumer Reports, https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/volkswagen/?EXTKEY=SG72C00&ds_rl=1247111&gclid=CjwKCAjwiuuRBhBvEiwAFXKaNJIG7Dzj4-AS8SvjRPXS0IZ_9aN-E0rRAjBAeztBu7lR2fGpOqAiBBoCRJMQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds. 

“2022 Volkswagen Jetta Review, Pricing, and Specs.” Car and Driver, 28 Feb. 2022, https://www.caranddriver.com/volkswagen/jetta. 

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