Today I'm at a press event for the new 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI
. As a fan of both fuel efficiency and fun-to-drive cars I've been waiting too many years for a new California-legal VW diesel. We've had our certified long-term 2005 Jetta TDI
in the fleet for about nine months, and as much as I enjoy driving it I'm ready to experience the new car's 40 additional horsepower (now up to 140), 59 additional lb-ft of torque (now up to 236) and additional gas sipping powers.
The exact fuel mileage of the new Jetta TDI is in question, as most in-the-know folks feel current EPA testing standards undercut the real-world mileage of modern diesels. EPA ratings of 29/40 have been disputed by third-party testing that put the TDI's numbers at 38/44.
It's unlikely I'll get enough seat time (and miles) to confirm which figures are correct, but various sources suggest numbers approaching (and even surpassing) 50 mpg are not unrealistic for the new Jetta TDI. If anyone out there has first-hand knowledge of the new TDI's mileage I'd be glad to hear them.
Looking beyond the specific numbers, the 2009 Jetta TDI is faster, more powerful and more fuel efficient -- and I can legally buy a new one in California.
Finally, at a starting price of $21,990 for the sedan and $23,590 for the wagon, the Jetta TDI could flummox Toyota's Prius in terms of both mileage and pricing.
Not exactly Corvette ZR1 versus Nissan GT-R, but still a fight I'm anxious to see.
By dougtheeng
on September 17, 2008
06:55 AM
Its an interesting fight. The hybrid may be better in concept (ie moving away from fossil fuel in cars and toward electrical) but I think the advantages of this diesel are undeniable. My family has 2 TDI Golfs, and I love them.
There are some differences to get used to - glow plugs, locations for diesel stations, carry a rag to wipe hands with after fueling) but these are minor and aren't a problem at all. I like the little cars sounding like a truck, so that doesn't bother me either. I'd rather that engine sound then a whiny high revving one.
I hope this vehicle can begin to turn the tide wrt diesel engines in cars.
By rick8365
on September 17, 2008
07:15 AM
"I hope this vehicle can begin to turn the tide wrt diesel engines in cars."
+1
"as most in-the-know folks feel current EPA testing standards undercut the real-world mileage of modern diesels."
WTH is wrong with the EPA???? You'd think they would applaud / help promote the modern diesel for all the obvious reasons.
By arm51
on September 17, 2008
07:35 AM
I can't wait until we get more diesel cars in the US. I've driven a number of small diesel hatchbacks in Europe and can say that I like them a lot! I would prefer the A3 2.0TDI to the 2.0T because of the amazing amount of torque and the fuel economy. Also, I really hope we can start getting more manual transmission cars here. Seriously, three-pedal cars are almost always better with fuel economy.
By firstwagon
on September 17, 2008
07:41 AM
Even experts know the EPA's new system is flawed.
The question is why did they rig it to hurt high mileage imported cars?
If I was into conspiracies, I would suggest US automaker lobbiests had a hand in government choices.
By blueguydotcom
on September 17, 2008
07:41 AM
Don't forget the $1300 tax credit.
That alone makes it cost about the same as the 5 cylinder model, but with much more torque and better mileage. Of course the diesel will also have infinitely better resale.
I drove an 09 TDI. Liked it quite a bit. The engine pulls so smoothly it feels like the car just glides forward with power. Steering is nicely weighted. Interior's fine - feels like the A3. I love the rear HVAC vents - good for kids. TDIs are very chip friendly, so expect chips that will give you more HP, more torque and slightly better mileage.
For me the big turn offs: the soft suspension and lack of HIDs. Plus I already get 30 MPGs combined in my Cooper S. Great car otherwise...just a little to spongy for me.
By 1487
on September 17, 2008
09:00 AM
"If I was into conspiracies, I would suggest US automaker lobbiests had a hand in government choices."
that is ridiculous. How in the world do imported small cars suffer in the EPA test cycle vs domestic small cars? Provide some specifics. Every vehicle, large and small, lost in terms of mileage with the EPA's new system. This is because the old procedures were very unrealistic and thus yielded numbers that were not usually acheivable. How is the new system biased against small cars or imported cars?
Experts (and regular folks) know the OLD system created by the EPA was flawed. If anything, the domestic auto industry wanted the EPA to keep using the crappy system because it made large trucks and SUVs seem more efficient.
By orangutan
on September 17, 2008
09:37 AM
To nitpick: anxious implies fear; you want to use eager.
I'm eager to drive the new TDI Jetta wagon as well, though the price is a little higher than I had hoped. Given the fact that it is equipped with a DSG (see yesterday's post) instead of a conventional automatic, as is the GLI, I am even more intrigued by the proposition. I shopped VWs back in early May and while I liked the Rabbit and Passat wagon, what I really wanted and could afford was a Jetta wagon. The dealership told me they had a long list of people wanting the same thing. It's a shame they haven't updated the staid styling yet, though.
By carlisimo
on September 17, 2008
09:39 AM
I doubt they actually "rigged" the tests to penalize diesels, just like they didn't rig them to make hybrids look good under the old rules and bad under the new ones. The testing method actually sounds reasonable enough... I'm not sure what aspects of real-world driving throw off the results. Like any test results, they only apply to certain conditions and it's not the EPA's fault people treat them as gospel.
I wonder what a large diesel car fleet would do to the price of diesel fuel... and to the price of gasoline.
By cruiserhead1
on September 17, 2008
11:20 AM
I saw the exact Jetta pictured (w/ leaf stickers and all) at Costco. The TDI is really exciting and I hope it does well and VAG starts bringing all of them here.
The big downside of the new Jetta is that it is SO UGLY. The wagon looks even worse! They did a complete 180 from the clean, euro-chic older generation.
It's also too big. Just like the Passat, which looks better, but as a wagon is just ginormous in length.
By blueguydotcom
on September 17, 2008
11:28 AM
cruiser, the wagon, IMHO, looks quite nice in certain colors. White it looks awful. But in gray or red I like it.
The wagon and sedan for the Jetta are exactly the same length. And the wagon is actually lighter than the sedan.
To all people mentioning the price - there is a #1300 tax credit. That's like 4-6k tax write-off depending on income.
By cruiserhead1
on September 17, 2008
05:25 PM
No, the Jetta wagon looks butt ugly in all colors. Those generic, gigantic taillights look lifted off some no-name Japanese econobox as does the inoffensive, generic, rounded styling.
The sedan isn't as offensive but both look stupid compared to what they had before.
The Passat wagon is ginormous, sorry if it sounded like I was talking about the Jetta.
I read that the $1300 tax credit is limited to a certain # of people, after which, it will not be offered. True?
By firstwagon
on September 17, 2008
06:27 PM
I don't see how the Jetta wagon looks ugly. It's looks dull sure, just like everything VW makes these days but I wouldn't call it ugly.
By blackadder5639
on September 17, 2008
11:20 PM
"The wagon looks even worse!"
Cruiserhead, I respectfully disagree. The current-gen Jetta and Passat segans are UGLY, but the wagons look VERY GOOD, almost beautiful! I especially like the side view. (The opposite was true of the prev. gen models.) I wouldn't buy any current Jetta or Passat sedan.........
Karl, I'm also very excited about the new Jetta TDI! Our local delearship have a few TDI sedans and I should visit them soon for a test-drive. No wagons, though! :(
By blackadder5639
on September 17, 2008
11:22 PM
Blueguy, are HID lights not easy to install aftermarket? I don't care for HID, but if I wanted them I'd simply gothe aftermarket route.....
By blackadder5639
on September 17, 2008
11:23 PM
Blueguy, are HID lights not easy to install aftermarket? I don't care for HID, but if I wanted them I'd simply go the aftermarket route.....
By drwales
on September 18, 2008
08:01 AM
I had a A3 2.0TDI (6 MT) as a rental in England a few months back. Quite possibly the nicest rental car I've ever had! I drive by a VW dealer on my way to work most days, and the "flower" car is on the forecourt. I'm not really in the market for a second car (at least not a new one), but I want to go check one these out.
Or two -- the manual and the DSG, Karl's post from a couple of days ago not withstanding...
By cruiserhead1
on September 18, 2008
10:36 AM
Audi's wagons look good. Volvo's wagons look good. Saab's wagons look good. BMW's wagons look good. Subaru's wagons look good.
Jetta wagon? FAIL.
VW aspired to copy the Corolla styling. It's a huge step in the wrong direction.
Engineering, the Jetta TDI is exciting.
By editor_karl
on September 18, 2008
10:41 AM
Quick update guys:
Drove the car for several hours yesterday. Pretty much can't tell it's a diesel. Can sort of hear it from outside the car, but not from the cabin except maybe under hard acceleration (and still just a little).
Torque is as you'd expect -- STRONG. I liked driving up some canyon roads with steep, uphill turns that are too tight to take quickly. Basically, you needed torque to easily power through them, and the Jetta has plenty to spare.
Otherwise it's a Jetta. Dull-but-inoffensive exterior. Plush interior with comfortable and supportive seats. Solid steering feel and feedback. Good audio system.
Oh, and a team of journalists managed 51.6 mpg on the driving route, though they were trying to win the informal competition to get the best mileage during the event. I wasn't because I was more interested in fully experiencing the car under varying conditions. That's why I deviated from the drive route to try it out on those tight, uphill twisties. Not the best for MPG, but it told me what I wanted to know about the drivetrain.
Conclusion: If it were this or a Prius I know which one I'd buy.
By orangutan
on September 18, 2008
11:05 AM
Interesting. What did the conventional driving route entail? Did you drive it equipped with the stick or the DSG? Sedan and not wagon, I assume? What did you average on your route? What options, if any, did the vehicle have?
By editor_karl
on September 18, 2008
02:01 PM
I drove both transmissions, but they were both sedans. The traditional route had good roads, but I really wanted to try it out on steep hills.
We were avearging about 40 mph. The test cars all had basic items items but nothing fancy like nav or bluetooth.
By drwales
on September 19, 2008
07:36 AM
So Karl, does your opinion on the DSG change when it has a diesel engine in front of it, rather than a gasoline engine? (At least in this application...)
By editor_karl
on September 19, 2008
08:34 AM
No, but it changes when DSG is in an economy car instead of a high-performance car. I don't need full clutch control in a car I'm not likely to track, or even drive aggressively on public roads.
By orangutan
on September 19, 2008
09:55 AM
Heh, we misunderstand each other. I meant "what mileage did you average on your route"? :p