Volkswagen has a lot of great cars in its lineup, and in fact, a few Volkswagens are the best option in their segments. On top of that, the German auto giant also has a few sporty options in its lineup, and many of them are great as well. Here’s a look at the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta and how it’s the cheapest way that potential owners have of buying a new turbocharged car.

These are the cheapest new turbocharged cars on the market

U.S. News recently compiled a list of the cheapest turbocharged cars on the market, and there are a lot of good options in that regard. All the turbocharged cars that made the list have a starting price tag of under $30,000, and most cost less than $25,000. Car shoppers can find affordable turbocharged options in multiple segments as well. 

For example, the Jeep Renegade made the list, as it starts at just under $30,000 and it comes with a 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The Renegade is a small SUV, and it’s joined by other small turbocharged SUVs, such as the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and the Volkswagen Taos. Unsurprisingly though, most models on the list were sedans such as the Kia K5 and the Chevy Malibu. 

In terms of the most affordable turbocharged new cars, there are three models that are near the top. The Ford Maverick is a small truck that comes with a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder, and it starts at about $22,200. Then there’s the Chevy Trax, which is a subcompact SUV that has a 1.4-liter turbo four-cylinder, and it starts at about $21,700. Finally, there’s the Volkswagen Jetta.

The specs of the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta

The Jetta is a compact sedan that starts at about $20,700, and this makes it the cheapest new turbocharged car. It’s about $1,000 cheaper than the runner-up, and many thousands cheaper than most of the other options on the list. This VW sedan comes with a 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder engine as standard, and the German automaker offers a more powerful 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder as well.

The standard 1.5-liter turbo gets 158 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, while the optional 2.0-liter turbo gets 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. These engines are paired to a six-speed manual as standard, and front-wheel drive is the only option.

Unsurprisingly, the Jetta’s powertrain is one of its strong suits. The standard 1.5-liter turbo provides more than enough power for daily commuting, while the 2.0-liter turbo turns the Jetta into a sporty sedan.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta is a solid car overall

The Jetta’s standard engine is also very fuel efficient, especially when drivers pair it to the optional eight-speed automatic transmission. With that configuration, the VW sedan gets an estimated 31 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on highways, for 36 mpg combined. The 2.0-liter turbo is also fairly economical, as it gets 26 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on highways, for 31 mpg combined. That being said, the Jetta isn’t nearly as good in other areas.

Its handling received mixed reviews, as some car critics liked it, while others really hated it. The German sedan’s interior is also a mixed bag. On one hand, the ride is comfortable and adults should have an easy time with seating due to how spacious the seats are.

On the other hand, the cabin’s design isn’t impressive, and VW used a lot of cheap materials in building the cabin. Overall, the Jetta is a decent car for anyone who wants a daily driver.