2024 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA | 3VWEM7BU1RM004035

Body Styles

The Mk7 Volkswagen Jetta is a four-door compact sedan with classic proportions and a conservative yet aerodynamic silhouette. It features a long wheelbase for its class (2.685 m), a gently sloping roofline, and a wide stance with crisp horizontal character lines. Measuring about 4.70 meters in length, the Jetta offers generous rear legroom and a surprisingly large trunk. The front end features a wide grille that merges into sleek headlamps, while the rear is understated with wraparound taillights and subtle contours. The design favors refinement over aggression, aligning it more with premium compact sedans than sport-tinged rivals.

Model Name Meaning (Manufacturer)

The name “Jetta” continues Volkswagen’s tradition of naming sedans after wind-related phenomena — following models like Passat (trade wind), Scirocco (Mediterranean wind), and Bora (cold northeast wind). “Jetta” is derived from “jet stream,” symbolizing movement, flow, and speed — attributes that align with the vehicle’s dynamic yet efficient nature. The name has been in use since 1979 and has become one of VW’s most globally recognized model names.

Model Name Meaning (Languages)

“Jetta” has no direct linguistic meaning in most major languages but phonetically resembles the word “jet,” which carries connotations of speed, power, and modernity. Its simplicity and soft consonant-vowel structure make it internationally recognizable and easy to pronounce, helping it succeed in diverse markets from North America to China and South America. The name contributes to the brand’s identity without invoking any specific cultural reference — a benefit in global marketing.

Body & Interior Colors and Rims

The Jetta Mk7 comes in a refined range of exterior colors including Pure White, Platinum Gray Metallic, Deep Black Pearl, Rising Blue, Tornado Red, and Kings Red Metallic for GLI trims. The GLI also features blacked-out mirrors, red grille accents, and sporty front/rear bumpers that differentiate it visually. LED headlights and taillights come standard, while higher trims include adaptive lighting and dynamic turn signals.

Inside, the Jetta offers a clean, minimalist cabin with high material quality and a user-friendly layout. GLI variants feature red contrast stitching, sport seats, and honeycomb dash patterns, while base models emphasize practicality and soft-touch surfaces. Available features include a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit, ambient lighting with up to 10 colors, wireless smartphone integration, and ventilated seats in higher trims. Upholstery options include cloth, V-Tex leatherette, and perforated leather.

Wheels range from 16-inch alloys on base trims to 18-inch twin-spoke designs on the GLI. The sportier variants include machined or gloss black finishes, giving the car a more aggressive look. Tire and suspension tuning differs significantly between standard and GLI trims, with the latter offering tighter control and a more planted stance.

Top Expensive Options

• Digital Cockpit Pro (10.25" instrument cluster): $1,000
• Beats Audio 8-Speaker Premium Sound System: $800
• 8-inch Discover Media Navigation with Gesture Control: $1,200
• Adaptive Chassis Control (DCC): $1,100
• Wireless App-Connect & Wireless Charging Pad: $600
• Panoramic Sunroof with Tilt/Slide: $1,000
• Ventilated Front Seats with Leather Trim: $1,400
• IQ.DRIVE Driver Assistance Suite: $1,500
• LED Projector Headlights with AFS: $900
• GLI Black Package (black mirrors, roof, wheels): $950

vs Competitors

Against the Honda Civic (especially Si and Touring trims), Hyundai Elantra N Line, Mazda3 Turbo, and Toyota Corolla SE/XSE, the Jetta GLI stands out with Germanic driving precision and a balanced chassis. It’s less flamboyant than the Elantra N, but offers more refinement and daily usability. Compared to the Civic Si, the GLI has more torque and a smoother ride, while offering both manual and DSG options. The Mazda3 brings interior quality and AWD (in Turbo form), but the Jetta counters with superior infotainment and fuel efficiency. The Corolla is more affordable but lacks the performance credibility and polish of the GLI. In short, the Jetta offers a mature and subtle take on the sport compact formula, ideal for those who prefer subtlety and composure over flash.

Fun Fact

The Jetta GLI is built in Puebla, Mexico, alongside the standard Jetta and Taos. Despite its North American focus, it features the same EA888 engine as the GTI — meaning that beneath its sedan body lies the heart of one of the most celebrated hot hatches in history. It’s also one of the last sporty sedans on the market available with a manual transmission in 2024.