Volkswagen
2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI
What it Is: A diesel-powered compact sedan.
What's Hot: Excellent diesel fuel economy, big trunk.
What's Not: Diesel technology costs a bundle.
Family Friendly Options: Navigation, Bluetooth
How It Got Its Score: The 2010 Jetta TDI offers something no other car in its class can: A super fuel-efficient diesel engine. Unfortunately, it's also expensive, which offsets its fuel economy.
The Volkswagen Jetta TDI is VW's answer to hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight. However, the Jetta TDI does it not with hybrid technology, but with a diesel engine. it succeeds, too, offering up highway fuel economy that's on par with the Honda Insight, although around town the Jetta TDI doesn't quite compare. If you still have bad memories of old diesels -- maybe even Volkswagen's old Rabbit diesel -- it's time to lose that prejudice. Today's diesels are clean burning, smooth, quiet and offer up torque that an equivalent gasoline engine can't match. Unfortunately, today's diesels share something else with hybrids: A price premium. In the Jetta TDI's case, it's more than $5,000 pricier than a gasoline-powered Jetta; even with a manual transmission, a Jetta TDI is more than $23,000. That's a lot for a compact car, but if you're comparing it to the likes of the Prius, or even the Honda Insight, it's not quite as steep, and the Jetta may even be a better option if you do a lot of highway driving.
Specifications
Price |
|
| MSRP |
$23,930 |
| Destination |
$750 |
| |
| |
| |
Mechanical
Engine Size |
2.0 liters |
|
Engine Type |
Inline-4 |
|
Horsepower |
140 hp |
|
Torque |
236 lb.-ft. |
|
Fuel |
Diesel |
|
Drivetrain |
Front Wheel Drive |
|
Transmission |
6-Speed Automatic |
|
Optional Transmission |
6-Speed Manual |
Fuel Economy
EPA City |
30 mpg |
|
EPA Highway |
42 mpg |
|
EPA Combined |
34 mpg |
Utility
Vehicle Type |
Compact |
|
Family Friendliness |
7.3 |
|
Doors |
Five |
|
Seat Rows |
Two |
|
Passengers |
Five |
|
LATCH Positions |
Two |
|
Cargo Space |
16.0 cu. ft. |
Safety
NHTSA Driver Front |
4 Stars |
|
NHTSA Passenger Front |
4 Stars |
|
NHTSA Driver Side |
5 Stars |
|
NHTSA Rear Passenger Side |
5 Stars |
|
NHTSA Rollover |
4 Stars |
|
IIHS Front |
Good |
|
IIHS Side |
Good |
|
IIHS Rear |
Good |
|
Stability Control |
Standard |
|
Traction Control |
Standard |
|
Brake Assist |
Standard |
|
Side Airbags |
Thorax and Curtain |
|
Collision Avoidance |
Not Available |
|
Active Cruise Control |
Not Available |
|
Photos
|
