2009 VW Jetta: Frugal but frumpy

KATHY RENWALD FOR THE TORONTO STAR

Volkswagen's 2009 Jetta TDI costs $2,300 more than the gas-powered version, but promises to go beyond 1,100 km on each 55-litre tank of fuel.

Kathy Renwald

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

In 2000, we bought a top-of-the-line Jetta 1.8 Turbo for $28,740. Nine years later, I am testing a Jetta TDI that costs $29,110. That says something about car prices. Did we pay too much in 2000, or is today's TDI a lip-smacking bargain?

Scan a raft of car reviews, blogs and fan sites and almost all agree that Volkswagen's new "clean diesel" Jetta is a penny pincher's fantasy at a bare-bones base price of $24,275. Option it up to the highest trim level and it totals $31,175, which includes VW's pioneering dual-clutch transmission.

The TDI meets tough emission standards in Canada and all 50 states. Although the turbo diesel costs $2,300 more than the gas-powered Jetta, the fuel savings and projected longevity of its engine make a strong case for spending more.

I have a sweet spot for VW. We still own our 9-year-old Jetta and I enjoy it each time I get in the driver's seat. Various production years have been knocked for reliability, but ours has been a fine performer.

My first encounter with the new Jetta TDI came at the Canadian Car of the Year testing in November, where I thought it had a shot at winning the Family Car under $30,000 category (Mazda 6 won).

The Jetta was also in the running for North American Car of the Year, which is voted on by 50 select automotive journalists. It finished third, behind the Hyundai Genesis and the Ford Flex.

At the November testing, I drove the TDI wagon; on my weeklong test, I had the sedan. The Comfortline trim of my tester starts at $26,775; optional electronic stabilization program and rear side airbags were an extra $450 each. Both had the six-speed manual transmission, which is smooth-shifting and engaging.

The biggest fun factor comes from the turbo diesel engine that juices the Jetta from first to sixth with conviction, thanks to 236 lb.-ft. of torque mingling nicely with the TDI's 140 hp. There is plenty of pulling power, from a stop to passing on the highway. The Jetta feels like it has the endurance of a long-distance runner, not the explosive thrust of a sprinter like Usain Bolt.

While enjoying the linear delivery of power, you can also savour the kilometres clicking by with barely a movement of the fuel gauge. The 55-litre tank will propel you 1,100 kilometres, according to VW specs.

I did a lot of city driving and wasn't trying to achieve stellar mileage numbers. I averaged 6.8 L/100 km (41 m.p.g.) in combined driving. Transport Canada's rating for combined is 5.9 L/100 km (48 m.p.g.).

Hollering continues between the hybrid-versus-diesel crowd about which is the more responsible choice. Popular Mechanics did a side-by-side test between a Jetta TDI and a Toyota Prius, and the Jetta got better mileage on the highway by a hair.

VW really doesn't need to preach to the converted for the Jetta TDI to be a phenom, it needs to win over the uninformed and the skeptical. When I talk about diesels, particularly to women, I receive looks of disgust, as if the subject had evoked the smell of diesel fuel from days of yore. The new low-sulfur diesel fuel has 95 per cent less stinky sulfur. I never noticed the smell on my hands after filling up.

Refuelling is another concern; people think diesel pumps are few and far between. Not so, particularly in the GTA, and with the potential to go 1,000 kilometres on a tank, there's adequate time to plan for topping up. The TDI will also use B5 bio-diesel, a mix of 95 per cent petroleum and 5 per cent renewable diesel.

So there's more power, less stink and impressive mileage, buffered a bit by the price of diesel, which remains higher than gas.

Another myth VW is trying to bust is that the engine clatters like a pot lid dropping on a tile floor. Not so, the only time I heard a hint of diesel chatter was at cold startup.

Driving the TDI is as enjoyable as my old 1.8 T Jetta. The suspension is sporting, steering feel is sharp, cornering better than middle of the road. During the week, we had two major storms and, fitted with winter tires, the Jetta powered through the powder, often schussing past SUVs.

Where the car needs an infusion of vitality is in style. The interior execution has lost quality and flair over the years. I'll give high marks to the supportive and well-bolstered seats and the chunky steering wheel with good grip. But the rest of the interior in test-tube grey is past its due date.

The handle to adjust seat height felt flimsy, air-vent controls moved with an arthritic twitch, there was an intermittent rattle in the centre console and the radio reception was subpar. However, there is decent legroom in the comfortable back seats, which fold down 60/40 style, and the trunk is generous.

A walk around the Jetta reveals its weak-chinned styling. What happened to the confident dumpling of pre-2005? Now, the sedan seems to have had a bad day at Mr. Liposuction. With its unfortunate nose-down styling and high back end, it looks like a bloated Toyota Echo. The better choice in many ways is the wagon, with its expanded cargo room and more balanced profile.

Maybe it's a green thing – being homely like the competing Toyota Prius. The Jetta TDI has been awarded Green Car of the Year by Green Car Journal. It impressed judges with its fuel efficiency, ability to meet stringent emission standards, price and performance.

So it's simple, the next goal: wrap a good-looking body around that desirable diesel engine.

Freelance auto reviewer Kathy Renwald can be reached at kathyrenwald.com

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