Until 2005 the name was only used in North America and South Africa, as it was dropped in Europe in 1991, when it was replaced by the Vento, which was in turn replaced by the Bora in 1998. The model was developed due in part of the Volkswagen marketing group's observation that the North American market leaned more towards the sedan shape as opposed to the Golf's hatchback configuration. Similarly, in South Africa, the Jetta remains more popular than the Golf. This proved to be a wise move on Volkswagen's part, as the Jetta became the best-selling European car in the United States. The mechanicals are shared with the other Volkswagen A platform cars.

A1 (1980 - 1984)

The first-generation Jetta appeared in the North American market in 1980, available as a two-door coupe and four-door sedan. Styling was penned at ItalDesign, by Giorgetto Giugiaro. A version of this model, known as the Volkswagen Fox, continued in production in South Africa until the late 1990s. In some markets such as in Mexico the A1 Jetta was known as the Volkswagen Atlantic.

Powering the base A1 Jetta and GL trim in 1980 was a standard 1.6 L four-cylinder producing 78 hp (57 kW) and 83 ft·lbf (113 N·m) torque. In 1981, the engine was upgraded to a 1.7 L producing 74 hp (54 kW) and 90 ft·lbf (121 N·m) torque. Additional engine choices were a diesel 1.6 L four making 50 hp (37 kW) and, in 1984 (the final year of the A1), a "GLI" high-performance version was offered, powered by the 1.8 L engine and close-ratio transmission from the Rabbit GTI, which made 90 hp (67 kW) and 105 ft·lbf (142 N·m) torque.

A2 (1985 - 1992)

The longest reigning Jetta of all time, the second-generation A2 proved to be a sales success for Volkswagen, outnumbering Golf sales two-to-one, and securing the title of best-selling European car in the US. It was also one of the first Volkswagen models produced in China. Like the A1 series, the A2s were offered as two-door coupes or four-door sedans; coupes were limited to the base, Wolfsburg and diesel trim levels. Major exterior changes throughout the series run include the elimination of the front-quarter windows in 1988, the addition of larger, body-colored bumper covers, and lower side skirts from 1990 to 1992, and several grille and side-cladding changes.

The base and GL trim levels were powered by a 1.8 L I4 rated at 100 hp (RV code digifant engine w/ single outlet manifold) (75 kW) and later 105 hp (PF code digifant engine w/ dual outlet manifold) (79 kW). There were three diesel engines offered in the A2 series, a 1.6 L naturally-aspirated diesel with 52 hp (39 kW), a 1.6 L 68 hp (51 kW) turbo diesel, and a 1.6 L diesel (the ECOdiesel) was sold for two model years, 1991 and 1992, it made 59 hp (43 kW) and 81 ft·lbf (109 N·m) of torque. The Carat was essentially a luxury trim without the performance upgrade of the GLI. For the A2 series, the GLI was powered by a 1.8 L four with 100 hp (75 kW), then a 1.8 L DOHC 16-valve that made 123 hp (92 kW) in 1987. But the GLI soon became a serious performance contender with the addition of the 2.0 L DOHC 16-valve four in 1990. The 2.0 L in the GLI and GTI 16v was powered by the CIS Motronic engine management system. It was rated at 134 hp (99 kW).