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When buying a product, one often has to pay more money to ensure high quality so that it functions well for a long time — without defects and reliability problems. However, for Volkswagen, there’s a model than nicely combines affordability with reliability. It’s the 2023 VW Jetta compact sedan — the cheapest new Volkswagen car in 2023 — and also the most reliable.

2023 VW Jetta is the most affordable new Volkswagen car

Front view of gray 2023 VW Jetta, cheapest and most reliable new Volkswagen car
2023 VW Jetta | Volkswagen

The 2023 VW Jetta has a starting price of $20,665 MSRP, which makes it the cheapest new Volkswagen car in 2023. This starting price is for the S trim. Other trims include Sport ($21,995 MSRP), SE ($24,385 MSRP), and SEL ($28,385 MSRP).

The next most affordable new 2023 Volkswagen model is the 2023 Taos subcompact crossover SUV, which starts at $24,155 MSRP. This is followed by the 2023 Tiguan compact SUV ($26,950 MSRP), the 2023 Golf GTI compact hatchback ($30,530 MSRP), and the sporty 2023 Jetta GLI ($31,585 MSRP).

The Jetta is the most reliable Volkswagen model

Cabin in 2023 VW Jetta, most affordable and reliable new Volkswagen car
2023 VW Jetta | Volkswagen

Along with being the cheapest new Volkswagen car, the 2023 VW Jetta is the most reliable. Multiple entities rate the Jetta high for reliability, including RepairPal. For its reliability analysis, RepairPal receives feedback from owners, identifying the frequency and severity of repairs. 

For frequency, owners bring the Jetta to a mechanic for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.3 times per year, which is less than the 0.4 average for all vehicles. And repairs are a severe issue only 10% of the time for the compact sedan, compared to 12% for all models.

Being the most reliable Volkswagen car adds to the affordability of the Jetta. Less frequent and severe repairs translate to lower ownership costs. Other benefits of the high-level reliability include longevity, safety, performance, and fewer hassles.  

Other strengths of the 2023 Jetta

The 2023 Jetta has some other strengths. It provides a surprisingly comfortable and quiet ride, especially for a mainstream compact sedan, per Car and Driver. It also has “effortless steering” and good cornering abilities. 

Also, despite its small exterior dimensions, the Jetta offers plenty of passenger space. With seating for five people, it has a total passenger volume of 94.7 cu-ft. For legroom, the front seats provide 41.1 inches, and the rear seats have 37.4 inches. The trunk is very spacious, too — with a cargo capacity of 14.1 inches. 

Additionally, the cabin is refined and upscale, with a premium look and feel. Notable interior features offered for the affordable compact sedan include a power sunroof, heated and cooled seats, a wireless charger, a dual-zone automatic climate control system, a heated steering wheel, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.

Furthermore, the Jetta is very efficient. It gets an estimated fuel economy of up to 31 city/41 highway mpg. The resulting savings at the fuel pump further help lower the cost of vehicle ownership.

As the cheapest and most reliable new Volkswagen car in 2023, the 2023 VW Jetta is a great choice for those looking for a budget-friendly and dependable vehicle. The compact sedan is affordable to both buy and own.

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