Generally, Volkswagen has a great reputation for fuel-saving vehicles (whether faked or not). One could even argue the boys and girls in Wolfsburg rival Toyota in that regard. Now, VW continues to cement that reputation with the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta. The new model will save you more fuel than ever.

Heck, you can even get a manual transmission and get over 40 MPG.

The new Jetta is shaping up to be a good economical car

First, it’s important to keep in mind that these are EPA estimates provided kindly by Volkswagen themselves. It’s best to take these numbers with a grain of salt. Our emissions and fuel economy tests are nowhere near as stringent as something like the WLPT testing found over in Europe. Of course, if these numbers are any indication, things look good.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta will manage 43 MPG highway with a manual transmission. That’s incredibly impressive for VW’s six-speed manual. Generally, those stick shifts just aren’t as efficient as a pre-programmed auto ‘box designed for the best fuel economy possible. Obviously, because you’re out there rowing your own, the real fuel economy is up to your right foot.

Will the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta be reliable?

However, the hotter 2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI will manage a little less, owing to its enthusiast-leaning Golf GTI roots. That model gets around 37 MPG highway with the same six-speed as a non-GLI Jetta. Still, very good numbers for a performance car. The engine that’s managing all this is a revised version of Volkswagen’s trusty EA888 four-cylinder turbo motor.

It’s been the VAG’s workhorse for the better part of the last decade. You can even find a less fine-tuned version in the 6th-gen Volkswagen GTI from 2010-2014. It’s a very reliable motor if maintained properly. Like all cars from Deutschland, the Jetta is phenomenally reliable as long as you’re up to date on maintenance. Fall out of that maintenance schedule, however, and the EA888 becomes a fickle little thing.

Fuel savings are always good, no matter how small

Those EPA numbers for the newest EA888 translate roughly into about $1,500 in fuel savings over 5 years. Not bad, if a little underwhelming of a number. However, it’s important to remember that prospective buyers of the Jetta are looking for economy more than they are anything else (the GLI notwithstanding). Any savings in fuel is a welcome one. Remember, we’re north of four bucks a gallon in some places right now. Ideally, the Jetta’s economical powerplant outlives the ridiculous fuel prices. Time will tell, as usual.