“This car is a joy to drive. It is spacious and has great trunk space. Seats 4 comfortably.”
2017 Volkswagen Jetta: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta is that a rearview camera became standard on every trim. Otherwise, this is a light update with revised technology, wider use of driver-assistance features and a simplified lineup rather than a redesign.
About the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta
6th gen (2011-2018 US), late-cycle year after the 2015 update.
Volkswagen positions the 2017 Jetta as a roomy compact sedan with a more polished feel than many basic small cars. The brochure leans on clean design, turbocharged power, safety engineering, and a spacious cabin and trunk, while Edmunds highlights the car’s big interior and cargo room. For most used-car shoppers, the Jetta’s core appeal is simple: easy everyday comfort, strong low-end turbo torque, and available upscale features in a practical sedan footprint.
The 2017 Jetta ranges from the practical, turbocharged 1.4T S to the stronger 1.8T SEL, which has navigation and added driver-assistance features. The SE emphasizes everyday comfort with a sunroof and heated synthetic leather seats, while the GLI is the performance model with a 2.0-liter turbo engine, sport suspension and upgraded brakes.
What changed, by category
Safety
A rearview camera became standard across the lineup. On the 1.8T SEL, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking became standard.
Tech
A standard USB connection replaced Volkswagen's older proprietary phone and media connection.
Powertrain
The Hybrid SEL Premium was dropped. The 1.8T Sport also lost its manual transmission and became automatic-only.
Lineup
The GLI SE continued under the simpler GLI name, while the GLI SEL was dropped. Volkswagen also treated the former SEL Premium package as a separate, limited-production 1.8T SEL Premium trim.
2017 Volkswagen Jetta specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.8 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.8 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.8 Liter |
| Transmission | Auto 6-Spd w/Tptrnc & Spt | Auto 6-Spd w/Tptrnc & Spt | Auto 6-Spd w/Tptrnc & Spt | Auto 6-Spd DSG Tptrnc Spt | Auto 6-Spd DSG Tptrnc Spt | Auto 6-Spd DSG Tptrnc Spt |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 28 mpg | 28 mpg | 25 mpg | 24 mpg | 25 mpg | 25 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 38 mpg | 38 mpg | 35 mpg | 33 mpg | 35 mpg | 35 mpg |
| Horsepower | 150 hp | 150 hp | 170 hp | 210 hp | 170 hp | 170 hp |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft | 207 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 15.7 cu-ft | 15.7 cu-ft | 15.7 cu-ft | 15.7 cu-ft | 15.7 cu-ft | 15.7 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 38.1 in | 38.1 in | 38.1 in | 38.1 in | 38.1 in | 38.1 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||||
| Adaptive Headlights | ||||||
| Alarm System | ||||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | ||||||
| Automatic Headlights | ||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||||
| Hill Start Assist | ||||||
| Park Assist | ||||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||||
| Fog Lights | ||||||
| HID Headlights | ||||||
| LED Tail Lights | ||||||
| Power Moonroof | ||||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||||
| Navigation System | ||||||
| Premium Audio | ||||||
| Satellite Radio | ||||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | ||||||
| USB Ports | ||||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | ||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | ||||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | ||||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||||||
| Power Driver Seat | ||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta?
The biggest change is a standard rearview camera on every 2017 Jetta trim. The year also brought a USB media connection, more standard driver-assistance equipment on the SEL and a simplified trim lineup.
Is the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta a redesign?
No, the 2017 Jetta is not a redesign. It is a light-update year late in the sixth generation, with equipment and trim changes rather than a new body or platform.
Was a hybrid Jetta offered for 2017?
No, the Hybrid SEL Premium was dropped for 2017. The remaining lineup used turbocharged gasoline engines.
What happened to the Jetta GLI lineup for 2017?
The former GLI SE continued under the shorter GLI name, while the GLI SEL was dropped. That left one GLI trim with the 2.0-liter turbo engine, sport suspension, upgraded brakes, navigation and premium audio.
What safety equipment changed on the 2017 Jetta SEL?
The 2017 Jetta SEL made adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking standard. It also received the rearview camera that became standard across the full Jetta range.
2017 Volkswagen Jetta Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta.
4.2
2017 Volkswagen Jetta
(519 reviews)
“I love this car, my only complaints are that the headlights stay on even when they're off & I wish the seats were electric to adjust them.”
“I loved my vehicle at first but only a couple months after owning it, it started making noises by the rear brake and five lights came up at once on my dashboard.”