Overview & Reviews

Fully redesigned last model year, the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta features only minor changes. The SEL and TDI trim levels now offer a Fender audio system, while last year's Sport package for the SEL has been discontinued.

• Fuel-efficient diesel model.
• Well-equipped
• Spacious interior and trunk
• Smart electronics interface

• Lackluster interior materials
• Sluggish throttle with automatic
• Numb steering
• Wheezy base engine.

User Reviews:

Showing 21 through 30 of 69.00

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  Best first car - 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
  By JourneyOfTheJetta - March 15 - 1:33 am

  My 2012 Jetta is my first car and I can easily see it lasting me all throughout college. Traveling 15 minutes to and from school everyday, then to work, then to friends houses, this car has been so reliable! Super safe with reliable braking and acceleration. Super sturdy and reliable in harsh weather and road conditions as well. I have had no maintenance problems with the car and it has been more than good to me. If youre searching for a first car or a good commuter car, the Jetta is the way to go! Once again, reliable, comfortable, safe, and easy to navigate!

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  If it was put together in Germany... - 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
  By petarvn1 - March 11 - 1:34 am

  Ive got a 2012 jetta with just over 6K miles on it. For the 16 months i have owned it, i have come to conclude that its fast enogh to get you in to trouble, but controlable enogh to get you out of it. Being a new driver, getting a good, safe, reliable car was my parrents priority, so the got me a jetta, natrually. Only problem with it is that its build quality isnt tip-top. My friend has a VW golf (assembled in Wolfsberg, not mexico) and its much better put together. All together, its a good package. Id recomend the 5 speed manual with the 2.5 liter engine. For the $21,000 you pay you get a lot for your money, plus its a very sexy machine!

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  Why so many bad reviews? - 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
  By vic40 - February 18 - 4:01 am

  I dont understand why there are so many complaints about the New Jetta. After looking at everything, I settled on the smartly priced Jetta S with Sunroof and manual trans. Admittedly, its no speed merchant, but it does just fine, has no trouble keeping up, and returns decent mileage in the process. I just dont see how you can look at most of the direct competition and find the Jetta lacking. The Americans are either too small (Fiesta and Sonic) or more expensive (Focus and Cruze). The Japanese competitors are just crappy. Complaints about the Jettas interior??? Seen a Civic lately? Yikes! And perhaps most importantly, all 63" of me fits in the Jetta with room to spare in back.

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  An excellent car, but do your homework - 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
  By calex905 - February 1 - 11:30 am

  This was the most reasonably priced car in this kind of fuel mileage range that did not feel like a toy. True the interior is not flashy, and I am a bit heavy for the standard seat bolsters, and it is not an independent rear suspension, but this little car is a kick to drive. I have 12,000 miles on and I have no complaints. I just got my first 50MPG trip this last weekend. In mixed driving I get 38 on the low side and can always depend on 44 to 45 MPG highway driving with cruise control on 65 or 70 from Fresno to Los Angeles and back. The DSG transmission does take a while to get used to but its a great car. Lots of torque and a huge backseat.

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  Wheres the love the the new Jetta - 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
  By vagcom13 - January 22 - 9:00 pm

  The funny thing about the new Jetta is that almost all automotive reviews knock it while almost every consumer review praises it. I bought a 2012 Jetta two weeks ago for my Fiance and so far we love the car. The styling is great, the engine is more then sufficent for daily driving, and for the price I really dont think this car can be beat. So much nicer then a Civic/corrolla/alantra and actually probably just as roomy and superior to the camery/accord/sonata. The asian counterparts are simply not as fun to drive!!! Yes the interior is a mild downgrade from the last Jetta, but its still superior to the competition. I wish the journalist would show a little love towards this solid car.

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  Way OVER engineered - 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
  By tbsx - January 7 - 6:42 pm

  I don’t understand the great reviews considering so many characteristic problems… you’ll see. Should the engine stall while in motion the key must cycle fully off to restart the auto. This LOCKS the steering while in motion. With clutch depressed the engine wont rev above 2500 rpms. I have to pop the clutch several times when on a hill or stall engine. The traction control system engaged breaks on left side of car (I never touched the breaks) sending the car sideways. Lights come on when I don’t want; they go off when I don’t. Doors lock, unlock automatic.

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  Fast and Fun - 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
  By stacygee - December 19 - 10:29 am

  I bought this Jetta TDI in late 2011, it is so fun and fast!!! Great sound system, sporty looking. I threw some black wheels on there and feel like im driving a sports car. I was in a horrible wreck in October 2011 and the car held up pretty well, I actually drove it home and the other drive has to be towed and her car was totaled. Safe, reliable, well built and fun to drive! I get about 35-40 MPG too!

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  Solid, Comfortable, Effecient, Elegant, Sporty - 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
  By jlgolden - December 19 - 8:30 am

  After determining that I wanted an efficient sedan with some acceleration zip and handling athleticism, the Jetta TDI prevailed as the most appealing. The diesels acceleration is delightful around Houstons inner-city grid, as well as when merging and passing on open highways. The DSG transmission takes some personal adjustment time, due to its characteristic (normal) hard downshifts during parking-lot creeping and stop & go traffic situations. Conversely, upshifts are fast and super smooth. Fuel economy is now averaging 42 mpg in mixed driving. This car feels amazingly stable, responsive, and capable in all driving situations.

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  Great choice - 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
  By juvy2 - November 15 - 7:57 pm

  My 2012 Jetta is by far the best car I have ever had! Great gas mileage, fun to drive and extremely comfortable seats

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  Review on the jetta - 2012 Volkswagen Jetta
  By Daniil - May 29 - 12:56 pm

  I owned a car for a month now and have not had any problems with it.Accelaration is really good for car that doesnt have that much power to it.I must admit that it is easy to work on.