Is VW working on a Jetta PHEV?

It sure looks like it. At least for the Chinese market… Our North American VW Jetta is in trouble, and I’m not sure a PHEV option could save it. While sales were up a bit last year, with over 47,000 of them sold, the current generation hasn’t been a bit hit. Back in 2019, that number was over 100,000. And of course, much higher before.

The current generation came out in 2018. And was revised with a redesigned front end in 2022. As well as a new 1.5 Liter engine. Which didn’t really help sales.

The previous-generation VW Jetta did offer a hybrid trim for a while. Unfortunately, the Hybrid was discontinued for 2017. I had the chance to drive one for a week and thought it was actually a great hybrid. I guess not enough people agreed…

Apparently, while the test mule in the pictures above uses the current generation design, the real production car could look quite different by the time it comes out in 2026. In China, the price of the next-generation Jetta is projected to be lower than the current model. Even the PHEV.

I guess if a new generation Jetta comes out next year, that could mean the end of the VW sedan in North America. Since I don’t think VW will bring yet another generation to our market. They might keep the current one going for another year or two, and it might be “over Johnny” for the Jetta in the US after that.