Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI

In 2009 Volkswagen of America brought back the TDI (Volkswagen's term for Diesel) to North America. This time as a clean diesel that is approved for all 50 states.

The days of noisy, stinky, nasty, sluggish, black cloud diesels are gone. Replaced by smooth, quiet, refined, peppy, and smelless delight. So that's all good and great, but what does that mean for you?

True diesel fuel is a little more at the pump. However lets compare the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen 2.5 gas with the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI Diesel.

2011 VW Jetta Sportwagen 2.5 EPA Estimate: 24mpg City, 31mpg Hwy

2011 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI EPA Estimate 30mpg City, 42mpg Hwy

So we can see that comparing two of the same model car that the diesel clearly gets much better fuel economy. Many owners of the TDI claim to be able to achieve in the mid to high 30s combined mpg, and easily get mid to high 40s highway mpg and some even claim getting above 50mpg on the highway. On a road trip getting only the EPA 42mpg Hwy you could easily expect to get 609 miles from the 14.5 gallon fuel tank before having to fill up on the TDI. You would only get 450 miles in the 2.5. Well lets go on to something a little more interesting than the amazing fuel economy you can get with the TDI.

As you can see from the photos above, these cars are not a super small roller skate of a car, only big enough for two (ie. Smart Car). No. The Jetta Sportwagen is a good size car that is big enough for a family of four to go shopping and bring home their purchases with them in one trip, or go on a road trip and take all their luggage with them in comfort.

At this point you may be thinking, sure the car gets good fuel economy. What about features and options? What is it like to drive? Well lets see what the answers are.

Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI

Standard Equipment

• 2.0L 4-cyl TDI 140hp Turbo Diesel Engine
• 6-Speed Manual Transmission
• 16 inch Aluminum Wheels
• ABS
• Power Heated Mirrors
• 115V ac outlet in the back seat. (To charge your computer, or keep the kids occupied).
• Fake Leather Upholstery. (That looks and feels like real leather, but last longer. Win win).
• Heated Front Seats
• Alarm System
• Remote Keyless Entry
• Cruise Control
• Air Conditioning
• Pollen Filter
• Side Curtain air bags.
• 66.9 Cubic Feet of cargo space with rear seats folded down.
• Bluetooth connectivity.
• Touchscreen stereo with sirius satellite radio with 3-month subscription, and 6-disc in-dash cd changer that can read MP3 and WMA, and 10 speakers.
• Leather wrapped multi-function steering wheel with tilt and telescoping steering column.

• 3 years/ 36000 miles FREE scheduled maintenance

Optional Equipment

• Rear Side airbags.
• Panoramic Sunroof (This sunroof is huge it is almost the entire length of the roof it's almost like having a convertible).
• Sunroof and Wheel Package (Includes Panoramic Sunroof, and 17 inch Alloy Wheels).

• Premium Package (Includes Panoramic Sunroof, 17 inch Alloy Wheels, GPS Navigation System, and Media Device Interface with Ipod cable).

Driving the Car

This car is a very enjoyable car to drive. There is defiantly nothing boring about driving this car. It handles well in the corners, and accelerates well. I am defiantly a car man and I enjoy driving cars. However I love driving this car, it's just a fun car. The TDI has 236lb/ft of torque available @ 1750-2500rpm. Talk about low end torque and a flat torque curve. What does that mean for you?

Well if you decide that you might want to pass another vehicle, you can do it safely without it seeming like your in slow motion or going backwards. Also more torque means when you come to a hill your car doesn't need to downshift as often. So if you have a manual transmission you don't have to downshift as often, making for a more enjoyable drive.

If you are able to drive a manual transmission vehicle, I would defiantly get the manual. I have driven both and the manual is more fun to drive. Also if your looking for which one will last longer, go for the manual because they are less complicated, and usually more durable.

Pricing

2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI

Base with 6-speed Manual $24,730

Loaded with every option 6-speed DSG Auto $28,730

Taxes, delivery, title, and fees are extra.

Recap

This is an amazing car that is fun to drive, can carry the family and their stuff, looks good, has abundant features, and oh yea is full of high fuel mileage goodness. All this for the low price of $24,730, or if you want treat your self to all the options $28,730. So even with all the options still well under $30,000. Wow! One of these cars will defiantly be my next purchase. Oh wait a second I'll have to get my wife one too, seeing her favorite color is red and mine is blue. So two of these cars will be my next purchase.

For a more complete list of features and specs. Go to www.VW.com

Keep Up to Date

Be sure to check back often. Future articles will discuss comparisons with other cars that get high fuel mileage (ie. hybrids, and different small cars). Safety, and different problems you have to watch out for with the TDI.