SEL FWD
What the SEL adds over the S (+$6,000)
| Spec | S | SEL |
|---|---|---|
| Curb weight (maximum) | 2998 lbs | 3058 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 2998 lbs | 3058 lbs |
| MPG (combined) | 34 mpg | 33 mpg |
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $23,995 | $29,995 |
| Tire size | 205/60 R16 92H | 225/45 R18 91H |
| Wheel diameter | 16 in | 18 in |
| Wheel width | 6.5 in | 7.5 in |
Standard here, not on the base trim: 10-color ambient lighting, 18-inch machined aluminum-alloy wheels (different designs per trim), 3-line door card stitching, 8-speaker Volkswagen Premium Audio system, 8-way power adjustable driver's seat with memory and lumbar support, Center & door armrest stitching w/ contrast stitching, Front accent lights, Front sport comfort seats, Heated front seats, Heated front washer nozzles and windshield wiper park, Heated rear seats, Heated steering wheel, High Beam Control (Light Assist), KESSY keyless access with push-button start, LED projector headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), Leather seating surfaces, Light bar in grille, Lowered sport suspension (-0.6 inches vs base car), MIB3 Discover Media 8-in touchscreen, w/ navigation, SiriusXM with 360L (3-mo Platinum Plan trial), voice control, USB-C (2 data & charge ports, 1 charge-only port), Panoramic power tilt-and-slide sunroof, Rear seat center armrest with cup holders, Remote start, Side mirrors with integrated turn signal lamps, Steering wheel & gearshift stitching, Ventilated front seats, Volkswagen Digital Cockpit Pro (10.25-inch display), Wireless charging
Specifications
Source: manufacturer press kitBrakes
| Front brake diameter | 287 mm |
| Front brake type | vented disc |
| Rear brake diameter | 271.8 mm |
| Rear brake type | solid disc |
| Parking brake type | electro-mechanical |
Cargo
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 51.2 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 14.1 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | 94.7 cu-ft |
Connected Services
| Connected services brand | Volkswagen Car-Net |
| Connected services trial (premium tier) | 3 months |
Dimensions Exterior
| Ground clearance | 5.5 in |
| Overall height | 57.7 in |
| Overall length | 186.5 in |
| Overall width | 70.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.7 in |
Engine Basics
| Aspiration | twin turbo |
| Cylinder count | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 1498 cc |
| Fuel injection system | TSI |
| Engine type (full description) | 1.5L inline four cylinder, 16V, turbocharged/intercooled, TSI |
| Valve configuration | DOHC |
Engine Output
| Horsepower | 158 hp |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft |
Fuel Economy
| MPG (city) | 29 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 33 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 40 mpg |
Fuel System
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 |
| Fuel tank capacity | 12.8 gal |
Headroom
| Front headroom | 38.5 in |
| Second-row headroom | 37.2 in |
Legroom
| Front legroom | 41.1 in |
| Second-row legroom | 37.4 in |
Pricing
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $29,995 |
Seating
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 |
Shoulder Room
| Front shoulder room | 55.9 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | 54 in |
Steering
| Steering type | rack and pinion, electric power assist |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 35.8 ft |
Suspension
| Front suspension type | strut-type with lower control arms, coil springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar |
| Rear suspension type | torsion beam, coil springs, telescopic dampers |
Tires
| Tire size | 225/45 R18 91H |
Transmission
| Final drive ratio | 3.2 |
| Transmission speeds | 8 |
| Transmission type | automatic hybrid |
Weights
| Curb weight (maximum) | 3058 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 3058 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 4167 lbs |
| Payload capacity | 915 lbs |
Wheels
| Wheel diameter | 18 in |
| Wheel material | alloy |
| Wheel width | 7.5 in |
Standard & optional equipment
Source: manufacturer press kitSafety15 std · 0 opt
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop & Go
- Front Assist (Forward Collision Warning & Automatic Emergency Braking w/ Pedestrian & Cyclist Monitoring)
- Rear Traffic Alert
- Dual front & side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags
- Lane Assist (Lane Keeping System)
- 3-point seatbelts with tensioner height adjust
- Active Side Assist (Blind Spot Monitor)
- Anti-Lock Braking System
- Automatic Post-Collision Braking System
- High Beam Control (Light Assist)
- IQ.DRIVE (Travel Assist, Front Assist, Active Side Assist, Rear Traffic Alert, ACC Stop & Go, Lane Assist, Emergency Assist)
- Intelligent Crash Response System
- Rearview Camera
- Stability Control
- Tire pressure monitoring system
Infotainment7 std · 0 opt
- Wi-Fi Hotspot
- 8-speaker Volkswagen Premium Audio system
- Bluetooth connectivity
- MIB3 Discover Media 8-in touchscreen, w/ navigation, SiriusXM with 360L (3-mo Platinum Plan trial), voice control, USB-C (2 data & charge ports, 1 charge-only port)
- Volkswagen Digital Cockpit Pro (10.25-inch display)
- Wireless App-Connect (CarPlay, AndroidAuto, MirrorLink) w/ multi-phone pairing capability
- Wireless charging
Convenience2 std · 0 opt
- KESSY keyless access with push-button start
- Remote start
Climate1 std · 0 opt
- Climatronic Touch dual-zone automatic climate control
Seating7 std · 0 opt
- Heated front seats
- Ventilated front seats
- Heated rear seats
- 8-way power adjustable driver's seat with memory and lumbar support
- Front sport comfort seats
- Leather seating surfaces
- Rear seat center armrest with cup holders
Interior8 std · 0 opt
- Heated steering wheel
- Auto-dimming interior rearview mirror
- 10-color ambient lighting
- 3-line door card stitching
- Center & door armrest stitching w/ contrast stitching
- Leather gearshift knob/handle
- Leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel
- Steering wheel & gearshift stitching
Exterior14 std · 0 opt
- Panoramic power tilt-and-slide sunroof
- LED projector headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs)
- 18-inch machined aluminum-alloy wheels (different designs per trim)
- Body-colored bumpers
- Front accent lights
- Heated front washer nozzles and windshield wiper park
- Heated side mirrors
- LED headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs)
- LED taillights
- Light bar in grille
- Power-adjustable, manual folding, side mirrors
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Side mirrors with integrated turn signal lamps
- Automatic headlights
Powertrain1 std · 0 opt
- Front-wheel drive
Chassis1 std · 0 opt
- Lowered sport suspension (-0.6 inches vs base car)
Ranked by what shoppers ask about first; standard equipment before options.
Transcribed from the manufacturer's official press kit for the 2026 Jetta. Confirm with the window sticker for a specific unit.
The cheapest ownership win
Insurers price the 2026 Jetta very differently, and the gap between the best and worst quote on the same car and driver is usually larger than any option you are weighing on this page.
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Common questions about the SEL
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsHow much is the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta SEL?
The manufacturer lists $29,995 for the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta SEL. That is $6,000 above the S, the cheapest trim of the same model year. MSRP excludes destination, options, taxes and dealer charges.
What does the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta SEL add over the S?
Against the S, 27 features become standard that the S does not and 7 published specifications differ. Both lists are on this page, taken from the manufacturer's own press material.