The 2014 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid is a small sedan that is big on space. However, in the competitive compact car class, the Jetta Hybrid’s relatively low safety score keeps it in the middle of the class.
The 2014 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid's #14 ranking is based on its score within the 2014 Compact Cars category. Currently the Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid has a score of 8.0 out of 10, which is based on our evaluation of 27 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
The 2014 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid is among the better-performing options in the compact car class, thanks to its combination of quick acceleration and nimble handling. It also gets great gas mileage, but its interior could use nicer materials and livelier styling.
The front-wheel-drive 2014 Jetta Hybrid is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an electric motor that together generate 170 horsepower. This powertrain produces quick acceleration and easy highway passing power. A smooth seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is standard. The Jetta Hybrid returns 41 mpg in the city and 48 mpg on the highway, which is great for the class. It manages corners with confidence, thanks to its quick steering and agility. However, its regenerative brakes – like those in most hybrids – can sometimes feel too sensitive.
Featuring dull styling and some low-rent materials, the Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid sedan has one of the less attractive cabins in the class. Still, the five-seat Jetta Hybrid offers an abundance of interior space, particularly in the back. The standard touch-screen display is straightforward, and its redundant physical controls make it easy to adjust audio settings. Other standard features include satellite radio, push-button start, and VW’s Car-Net smartphone app integration system.
Average prices range from about $14,700 for the VW Jetta Hybrid base model up to around $18,500 for the Jetta Hybrid SEL Premium. Your exact price will vary depending on the car's location, condition, mileage, and features.
We base our used car rankings and reviews on an analysis of hard data – including crash test scores, reliability ratings, and total cost of ownership estimates – as well as the opinions of the automotive press. We researched and analyzed 27 VW Jetta Hybrid reviews for this 2014 Jetta Hybrid overview.
U.S. News & World Report has been ranking vehicles for a decade, and our Best Cars team has more than 75 years of car industry experience combined. You can trust that our reviews are impartial because we never accept pricey gifts or trips from automakers, and another company takes care of our website's advertising.
The 2014 Jetta Hybrid received a reliability score of three out of five from J.D. Power. That’s considered average across the automotive market.
In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety evaluations, the 2014 Jetta Hybrid earned the best rating of Good in four crash tests (moderate overlap front, side impact, rear crash protection, and roof strength). It earned the second-highest rating of Marginal in the small overlap front crash test. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2014 Jetta Hybrid a perfect five stars for overall safety, as well as five stars in the side crash test and four stars in the frontal and rollover evaluations. The Jetta Hybrid has no standard active safety features, but a rearview camera is available in some models.
The Jetta Hybrid was an all-new model for 2013, and 2014 was its final year of production. The 2014 model added a new base trim and standard satellite radio, so purchasing the earlier model will get you many of the same features for less money.
The 2014 Jetta Hybrid comes in three trim levels: Hybrid SE (base), Hybrid SEL, and Hybrid SEL Premium. Unlike its poorly equipped gas-only Jetta sibling, the Jetta Hybrid's base model comes with plenty of features. Its standard equipment includes dual-zone automatic climate control, a touch-screen display, satellite radio, iPod connectivity, Bluetooth, an auxiliary input jack, and VW's Car-Net system (which links car security, maintenance, and navigation features to a compatible smartphone app). The Jetta Hybrid SEL adds some convenience and luxury features, like a sunroof, heated windshield washer nozzles, navigation, a 5-inch color touch screen, a rearview camera, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver's seat. The VW Jetta Hybrid SEL Premium has a few more standard features, including LED daytime running lights, adaptive headlights, and a Fender Premium stereo.
Due to the Jetta Hybrid's poor reliability score, you may want to consider a CPO model. Volkswagen provides a two-year/24,000-mile limited warranty on all of its certified pre-owned vehicles. Each CPO Volkswagen must pass a 160-point inspection. Additional benefits like towing and roadside assistance may be available, so read the Volkswagen warranty page carefully.
Although the Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid offers a stronger performance than the Honda Civic Hybrid, the Honda has more overall benefits. Its interior features comfortable and spacious seats, and it comes with a remarkable number of advanced safety and technology features. The Civic Hybrid also has a better reliability rating.
The 2014 Toyota Prius hatchback outmatches the Jetta Hybrid in most areas – besides performance. The Prius offers significantly more cargo space, a perfect reliability score, and better fuel economy estimates than the Jetta Hybrid.
The Jetta Hybrid bests the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta for a number of reasons. When compared with the nonhybrid model, the Jetta Hybrid has a lower total cost of ownership, a stronger powertrain with faster acceleration, and many more standard features. The Jetta has a bit more cargo space, but the Hybrid’s the better choice.
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