September 30 marked the final day of Volkswagen Philippines’ sales operations in the country. A sad day, but perhaps the writing was well etched into the wall already. We miss the legacy models that the company once sold here, namely the Passat, Golf, and of course, the Jetta.
The Volkswagen Jetta was once VW Philippines’ best-selling product, and what we got here was the MK.6 or the sixth-generation model. It wasn’t just because it was fairly priced, but it’s also thanks to the idea of owning a true German car (with warranty) without resorting to the luxury marques.
This car hasn’t been sold in the country since 2018 and the MK.7 version has since been released. It’s a model we wish we got here, but instead, we got the SAIC-VW vehicles. Now, the MK.7 Jetta has been given a substantial update, and we can’t help but wonder what might have been. Deep sigh.
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So, what’s new with it, you ask? The entire front end has been given a sleeker and sharper look, incorporating the look of the all-new Passat that made its premiere back in 2023. The update also brings with it pop-out door handles that retract once the vehicle is in motion.
The rear gets big changes to the rear, too. The quarter panel has been reshaped to accommodate the redesigned tail lights. Those lights are then connected by a lighter for a wider appearance. Its trunklid gets new stamping, as well, with a pointed tip around the trunklid. Lastly, the license plate holder has been relocated to the bumper.
Inside, the 2026 Jetta gets a new dashboard. The instrument screen is now a floating unit, and the dash itself wraps around the driver. Air-conditioning controls have been moved to the touchscreen, allowing the center console to move higher. In line with the Golf, the new Jetta gets an electromechanical gear selector, ditching the previous mechanical unit.
For tech, there’s a choice between a 12.9-inch or 15-inch infotainment screen with App-Connect. It includes the usual features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but there’s a possibility of it having Google Services as well. As for the digital instrument cluster, it measures 10.25-inches.
Advanced driver assists are also part of the package, which has pretty much become the norm in the Jetta’s segment. Adaptive cruise control, park distance control with front and rear sensors, rear view camera, and lane assist are all bundled together. Additional features include blind spot monitoring and autonomous emergency braking.
Under the hood of the new Volkswagen Jetta is a 1.5-liter TSI (Turbo Stratified Injection) engine, similar to the gas-fed Golf over in Europe. It’s good for 158hp and 250Nm of torque, about the same as the pre-facelift model. The lone transmission choice is a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. For now, at least, there’s no mention of the sporty GLI variant that’s powered by a 2.0-liter TSI with 228hp and 350Nm.
Curiously, it’s the Middle East market that gets the new-look Jetta first. North America has been the car’s stomping ground from the beginning, but we could see the reveal of the US/Canada/Mexican version down the line.
