The cheapest new Volkswagen in the U.S. is also the brand's most efficient non-hybrid car, achieving a combined 34 mpg. The same 158 horsepower engine is still available for 2026, and there are still a range of trims that stretch from bare-bones to well-equipped. The base 2026 Jetta starts from $23,995 (plus a $1,275 destination fee), while top trims start north of $30,000 once fees are taken into account. In 2026, only the sporty Jetta GLI is available with a stick shift, and that's also set to change soon. From the 2027 model year onwards, VW is axing manual transmissions from its U.S. lineup altogether, with the Jetta GLI receiving a standard auto gearbox instead.