2021 Volkswagen Jetta Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity
Fuel tank capacity
13.5gal · 51 L
The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta has a fuel tank capacity of 13.5 gallons (51 liters) on every trim.
A full tank is good for roughly 527–554 highway miles or 392–405 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.
13.5 gal · Smaller than 84% of 2021 models we list.
Listed separately: 2021 Volkswagen Jetta GLI (13.2 gal).
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2021 Volkswagen Jetta fuel tank capacity by trim
What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table
- Engine
- no difference
All 7 trims
MPG and range are city / highway.
| Trim | Engine | Drive | Tank | MPG city / hwy | Range city / hwy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-Line SULEV 4dr Sedan 1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M · FWD MPG 30 / 41Range 405 / 554 mi | 1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M | FWD | 13.5 gal51 L | 30 / 41 | 405 / 554 mi | |
| R-Line SULEV 4dr Sedan 1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A · FWD MPG 29 / 39Range 392 / 527 mi | 1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A | FWD | 13.5 gal51 L | 29 / 39 | 392 / 527 mi | |
| S SULEV 4dr Sedan 1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M · FWD MPG 30 / 41Range 405 / 554 mi | 1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M | FWD | 13.5 gal51 L | 30 / 41 | 405 / 554 mi | |
| S SULEV 4dr Sedan 1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A · FWD MPG 29 / 39Range 392 / 527 mi | 1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A | FWD | 13.5 gal51 L | 29 / 39 | 392 / 527 mi | |
| SE SULEV 4dr Sedan 1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A · FWD MPG 29 / 39Range 392 / 527 mi | 1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A | FWD | 13.5 gal51 L | 29 / 39 | 392 / 527 mi | |
| SEL Premium SULEV 4dr Sedan 1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A · FWD MPG 29 / 39Range 392 / 527 mi | 1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A | FWD | 13.5 gal51 L | 29 / 39 | 392 / 527 mi | |
| SEL SULEV 4dr Sedan 1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A · FWD MPG 29 / 39Range 392 / 527 mi | 1.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A | FWD | 13.5 gal51 L | 29 / 39 | 392 / 527 mi | |
| No trim matches all of these filters. | ||||||
Tank figures are the manufacturer's rated capacity, sorted smallest tank first. Range is tank size times EPA city or highway MPG.
How far a 2021 Volkswagen Jetta goes on a tank
Gallons left and the distance they cover at each mark on the fuel gauge, at EPA city and highway mileage. At the combined rating of 33 MPG, a full 13.5-gallon tank covers about 446 miles.
| Gauge | Gallons | Highway miles | City miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full | 13.5 | 527 | 392 |
| 3/4 | 10.1 | 395 | 294 |
| 1/2 | 6.8 | 263 | 196 |
| 1/4 | 3.4 | 132 | 98 |
| 1/8 | 1.7 | 66 | 49 |
Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 455 gallons, roughly 34 full tanks.
Fuel gauges aren't perfectly linear and the low-fuel light comes on with a few gallons still in the tank, so plan your stop before the last eighth.
- EPA combined
- 33–34 MPG
- Tailpipe CO2
- 260–266 g/mi
- EPA greenhouse score
- 7 of 10
- Source
- EPA ratings
What it costs to fill up a 2021 Volkswagen Jetta
$57.64 to fill the 13.5-gallon tank from empty with regular, at this week's US average of $4.27 a gallon.
| Tank | Fuel | US avg / gal | From empty | From 1/4 tank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13.5 gal | Regular | $4.27 | $57.64 | $43.23 |
By region, 13.5-gallon tank
| Region | Regular / gal | Fill from empty |
|---|---|---|
| East Coast | $4.02 | $54.27 |
| Midwest | $4.27 | $57.64 |
| Gulf CoastLowest | $3.70 | $49.95 |
| Rocky Mountain | $4.46 | $60.21 |
| West Coast | $5.42 | $73.17 |
| CaliforniaHighest | $5.89 | $79.52 |
Prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration retail averages for the week of October 26, 2026. This week's prices by state and city.
Your own price
- 13.5-gallon tank$57.64
- A year of driving (15,000 mi)$1,941
Starts at the US average for regular; type in what your station charges. For other tank sizes, use the fill-up calculator.
Jetta tank size in other years
The tank changed for 2021: 13.5 gal, up from 13.2 gal on the 2020 Jetta.
| Model year | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Jetta | 13.2 gal | 528 mi |
| 2025 Jetta | 13.2 gal | 528 mi |
| 2024 Jetta | 13.2 gal | 554 mi |
| 2023 Jetta | 13.2 gal | 554 mi |
| 2022 Jetta | 13.2 gal | 568 mi |
| 2021 Jetta | 13.5 gal | 554 mi |
| 2020 Jetta | 13.2 gal | 528 mi |
| 2019 Jetta | 13.2 gal | 528 mi |
| 2018 Jetta | 14.5 gal | 580 mi |
| 2017 Jetta | 14.5 gal | 580 mi |
| 2016 Jetta | 11.9–14.5 gal | 571 mi |
- 2026
- 2025
- 2024
- 2023
- 2022
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
- 2012
- 2011
- 2010
- 2009
- 2008
- 2007
- 2006
- 2005
- 2004
- 2003
- 2002
- 2001
- 2000
- 1999
- 1998
- 1997
- 1996
- 1995
- 1994
- 1993
- 1992
- 1991
- 1990
2021 Volkswagen Jetta vs similar 2021 sedans
At 13.5 gallons, the Jetta's largest tank ranks third of the seven 2021 sedans compared here. The Chevrolet Malibu carries the most (15.8 gal) and the Honda Insight the least (10.6 gal).
| 2021 model | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Malibu | 15.8 gal | 569 mi |
| Kia Forte | 14.0 gal | 574 mi |
| Volkswagen Jetta | 13.5 gal | 554 mi |
| Hyundai Elantra | 11.0–12.4 gal | 616 mi |
| Nissan Sentra | 12.4 gal | 484 mi |
| Toyota Corolla Hybrid | 11.4 gal | 593 mi |
| Honda Insight | 10.6 gal | 519 mi |
Other 2021 sedans of a similar size, one model per brand.
2021 Volkswagen Jetta fuel system recalls
None of the 4 recalls NHTSA lists for the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta involve the fuel system.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta?
The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta holds 13.5 gallons (51 liters) on every trim we list.
How many gallons and liters does the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta gas tank hold?
The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta tank holds 51 liters, or 13.5 gallons in US gallons.
How far can a 2021 Volkswagen Jetta go on a full tank?
About 527–554 miles on the highway and 392–405 miles in town, going from full to empty at its EPA ratings. Expect less in practice, since nobody runs the tank dry.
How many miles can a 2021 Volkswagen Jetta go on a quarter tank?
About 132 highway miles or 98 in town from the 13.5-gallon tank, which has roughly 3.4 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.
What gas does the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta take?
Regular unleaded. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.
How much does it cost to fill up a 2021 Volkswagen Jetta?
At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 13.5-gallon tank from empty costs $57.64. It ranges from $49.95 in the Gulf Coast to $79.52 in California.
How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 2021 Volkswagen Jetta?
About 84 pounds for the 13.5-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.
Does the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta have a bigger gas tank than the Hyundai Elantra?
Yes. The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta holds up to 13.5 gallons; the 2021 Hyundai Elantra holds up to 12.4.
Has the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?
No. None of the 4 recalls NHTSA lists for the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta involve the fuel system.
Sources
- Tank sizes: manufacturer-rated capacities from US-market specifications, checked against independent references. Updated October 2026.
- MPG and range: EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov). Range is tank size times EPA MPG.
- Fuel prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration, week of October 26, 2026 (this week's prices).
- Recalls: NHTSA recall database (Volkswagen fuel system recalls).
Does your owner's manual say something different? Let us know and we'll fix it. More on how we check the numbers.