When Volkswagen announced that the Jetta would get a redesign in 2022, where the engine would be carried over from the more powerful Taos, we raised our expectations for the fuel economy rating. Coming in on the highway with an EPA-estimated 43 mpg, the new Jetta doesn’t disappoint. However, this rating applies to models with a manual transmission and the overall rating for the automatic is less impressive.

The full 2022 Jetta fuel economy figures for the standard six-speed manual are 29 mpg in the city, 43 mpg on the highway, and 34 mpg combined. Compared to last year’s model, the city rating only decreased 1 mpg and increased 2 mpg on the highway. Overall, ratings for this class are slightly above average as key competitors like the Honda Civic six-speed manual have an overall mpg less. The downside to this is that there aren’t as many customers looking for vehicles with manual transmissions these days as more people tend to prefer automatic.

Fortunately, Volkswagen also gave us the numbers for the 2022 Jetta S model, which received a rating of 31 mpg city, 41 mpg highway, and 35 mpg when combined with its optional eight-speed automatic transmission. Also equipped with the eight-speed automatic transmission are the SE and SEL models, which combined identical ratings of 29 mpg City, 40 mpg Highway, and 33 mpg.

Automatic vehicles from other automakers like the Toyota Corolla performed similarly at 34 mpg combined, but the toughest competition to the Jetta would likely be the CVT-equipped Honda Civic, which combined a 33 mpg city, 42 mpg highway, and 36 mpg.

While the 43 mpg highway rating may raise some eyebrows and the EPA claims you can save up to $ 1,500 at the gas station in five years, the automatic models are likely more popular. With automatic transmission competitors showing similar numbers, it might be difficult to entice consumers to buy a manual transmission instead.

Check out our full preview of the Volkswagen Jetta 2022

Pictured: 2022 Volkswagen Jetta