The Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen does 28.5 mpg combined (25.5 city, 33.3 highway), which works out to about $1,347 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl does 32 mpg while 2.5L 5-cyl does 25.4 — a difference of $312 a year. Against other 5-cyl cars it sits above the average of 21.8 mpg.
Every Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen ranges from 32 down to 25.4 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $312 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 29 / 37 | 2009–2014 | $1,200 | |
| 2.5L 5-cyl | 22.6 / 30.1 | 2008–2014 | $1,512 |
What that actually costs
The Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen burns a gallon every 28.5 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 421 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.112 |
| Fuel per year | $1,347 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,735 |
| Against other 5-cyl cars | −$414 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,454 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen gives up 7.8 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 33.3 out there against 25.5 in town, a 31% drop worth $353 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 25.5 mpg | $1,506 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 33.3 mpg | $1,153 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.8 mpg (31%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Jetta SportWagen changed over the years
The Jetta SportWagen peaked in 2011 at 29.5 mpg (26.5 city, 34 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2008 at 24 — 5.5 mpg apart, or $298 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2014 car does 29. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 26 / 33.5 | 2 | $1,324 | |
| 2013 | 26.5 / 34 | 2 | $1,324 | |
| 2012 | 26.5 / 34 | 2 | $1,324 | |
| 2011 | 26.5 / 34 | 2 | $1,302 | |
| 2010 | 25.5 / 33.5 | 2 | $1,347 | |
| 2009 | 24.5 / 33 | 2 | $1,371 | |
| 2008 | 21 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 13 EPA ratings of the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen — 2 engines across 2008–2014. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,454. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen get?
28.5 mpg combined on average — 25.5 in the city and 33.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2008–2014.
How much does a Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen cost in fuel per year?
About $1,347 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,735 over five years, or 0.112 dollars a mile.
Which Jetta SportWagen engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 32 mpg, against 25.4 for the 2.5L 5-cyl — a difference of about $312 a year.
Is the Jetta SportWagen good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 5-cyl cars it sits above the average of 21.8 mpg, computed across 217 ratings.
Are these real-world Jetta SportWagen figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen is $2,454 against the $1,347 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 32 and 24 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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