Best economy car, hatchback 2009 Honda Fit *Est. $14750
Best economy car, sedan 2009 Honda Civic *Est. $15305
Sporty compact car 2009 Mini Cooper *Est. $18550
Top fuel economy with a diesel engine 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI *Est. $22270
Cheapest compact car 2009 Nissan Versa *Est. $9990

See All Economy Cars

2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

*Est. $22,270

Top fuel economy with a diesel engine

Torquey diesel has low-end punch
Responsive handling
Comfortable ride
Upscale interior, solid feel
Outstanding fuel economy
No-charge scheduled maintenance
IIHS Top Safety Pick

Well-equipped examples are expensive
Tight fit in rear seat
Shorter warranty coverage than 2008
Diesel fuel more expensive than gas

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Our Analysis

March 2009. The fuel efficiency champion at Volkswagen is, without a doubt, the new Jetta TDI (*est. $22,270), powered by a 140-horsepower turbodiesel 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a very healthy (especially among economy cars) 236 pound feet of torque. The Volkswagen Jetta TDI's Environmental Protection Agency fuel-economy ratings are 30 mpg city and 41 mpg highway, although test drivers report average fuel economy of anywhere from 32 to 38 mpg, with highway mileage as high as 46 mpg. The Volkswagen Jetta TDI's low-emissions engine utilizes VW's clean-diesel technology, making it emissions compliant in all 50 states without the use of urea-based injection like Mercedes-Benz's BlueTec diesel engines. Reviewers are impressed with the new diesel's smoothness, quietness and good throttle response, not to mention its hybrid-like fuel efficiency. The Jetta TDI is equipped with a six-speed manual transmission as standard equipment, but a six-speed dual-clutch automated gearbox is available as a $1,100 option.

As was the case with many hybrids upon their introduction, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI is eligible for a $1,300 tax credit. Unfortunately, Volkswagen has reduced basic warranty coverage for all its 2009 models to three years, 36,000 miles from last year's four years, 50,000 miles, but now offers no-charge scheduled maintenance for the warranty period. The Jetta TDI can be shopped against hybrid alternatives, such as the 2009 Toyota Prius (*est. $22,000 to $24,270) or 2009 Civic Hybrid (*est. $23,650), but reviewers make a strong case for the Volkswagen Jetta's lower costs and better tax credits. Like its conventionally powered stablemates (covered in a separate entry), the Jetta TDI offers upscale, comfortable interior accommodations, high build quality, lots of standard features and the type of distinctly engaging European driving experience that's normally associated with costlier vehicles. The Volkswagen Jetta includes a full suite of safety features and is rated a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Edmunds.com compares a Volkswagen Jetta TDI to a Toyota Prius, with discussions of the comfort and driving experience as well as fuel economy. Popular Mechanics also does a Jetta TDI vs. Prius comparison, with more attention to the fuel efficiency of the two cars. About.com and Autoblog.com have informative single-car reviews of the Volkswagen Jetta TDI. Non-model-specific reviews can be found at Edmunds.com, ConsumerGuide.com and Consumer Reports, with coverage of the general pros and cons of all Jetta models. MotherProof.com test drives a Volkswagen Jetta TDI but focuses on the cabin comfort and everyday driving experience rather than the diesel engine. In addition to its own review of the TDI, Cars.com links to other auto writers' reviews for additional opinions.

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Our Sources

1. Edmunds Inside Line

Inside Line compares the diesel-powered Volkswagen Jetta TDI against a Toyota Prius hybrid. Sticker price on the smaller Prius test car is approximately $29,000, vs. about $23,000 for the Jetta. Over the two-week test period, the Volkswagen Jetta averaged 36 mpg vs. the Prius' 39 mpg. Editors choose the Jetta as the winner for its comfort, driving pleasure and a calculation that gives it a cost advantage over the Prius for at least the first eight years of ownership.

Review: Hybrid vs. Diesel in a Battle of Epic Efficiency, Chris Walton, Feb. 8, 2009

2. Cars.com

Cars.com features test drives of both the new Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen and the turbodiesel TDI, plus a general summary and links to reprints from six newspaper writers' reviews of the Jetta. In a somewhat technical test drive review of the Volkswagen Jetta TDI, writer Joe Wiesenfelder says the diesel engine "sounds distinctive but not particularly noisy; it appears to be smokeless; and the exhaust simply doesn't smell."

Review: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta, Joe Wiesenfelder, Oct. 21, 2008

3. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

Editors of Consumer Reports review of the VW Jetta and give feedback based on in-car testing and the reliability data the publication is well-known for. You must be a subscriber to access this report.

Review: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta, Editors of ConsumerReports.org

4. Edmunds.com

Edmunds.com provides a thorough overview of the Volkswagen Jetta range in general. Regarding the TDI, it notes the car's "impressive" fuel economy and says, "A significant boost in power makes this fuel-efficient turbodiesel model even more attractive, although the rising price of diesel doesn't help the TDI's value equation." The Volkswagen Jetta gets good overall marks, with editors concluding that "any Jetta is a serviceable substitute for those who want a premium German sedan but don't have the bankroll needed to bring one home."

Review: 2009 Volkwagen Jetta Review, Editors of Edmunds.com

5. About.com

About.com's Aaron Gold test drives a VW Jetta TDI sedan and admits to being a fan of diesels. He says, "The Jetta TDI is quick, quiet, clean and incredibly efficient, plus it's comfortable, practical and fun to drive." He says off-the-line acceleration is a bit slow, but mid-range torque provides rolling response like a small V6. His test-drive fuel-economy average is 42.9 mpg. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

Review: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Test Drive, Aaron Gold

Popular Mechanics editors drive a VW Jetta TDI and Toyota Prius hybrid over the same 238-mile city route, followed by a highway cruise of the same distance. The Prius wins the city drive with 44.7 mpg vs. the Jetta's 32 mpg. But on the highway, the Jetta averages 45.4 mpg vs. the Prius' 44.8 mpg. In terms of comfort and overall fun-to-drive feeling, editors say, "It's an easy pick: We like the Jetta TDI."

Review: New VW Jetta Diesel Tops Prius in Fuel-Economy Marathon Test, Ben Stewart, Sept. 24, 2008

7. ConsumerGuide.com

ConsumerGuide.com doesn't give the Volkswagen Jetta a Recommended rating, but tests four variants, including at least one model with each engine. Editors say, "Jetta sets the class standard for overall refinement and solidity." They warn of expensive options and "subpar customer-satisfaction scores." A five-cylinder gas model averages 26.3 mpg while an extended-test diesel automatic averages 36.8 mpg.

Review: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta Full Review, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com, Feb. 11, 2009

8. MotherProof.com

MotherProof.com often provides useful insight into the aspects of new cars as they relate to everyday family life with kids. Written from a non-car-expert point of view, Emily Hansen's Volkswagen Jetta TDI review focuses more on the car rather than its diesel engine, just as most consumers will. She says, "This car is great for hauling around the family," with praise for its large trunk, practical vinyl upholstery and safety features.

Review: Clean-Diesel Jetta Suits a Small Family, Emily Hansen, Jan. 26, 2009

9. Autoblog.com

Autoblog.com editor-in-chief John Neff drives a Volkswagen Jetta TDI from Cleveland to Pittsburgh, achieving a high average fuel economy of 46.1 mpg during the highway run. Most of the review focuses on the diesel engine and its technology and driving experience. Neff comments, "The Jetta TDI is as quiet as a luxury car on the highway, and though the diesel can be heard while idling, the entire car is eerily vibration free while sitting at a stop light."

Review: In the AutoblogGreen Garage: 2009 Volkwagen Jetta TDI, John Neff, Feb. 9, 2009

10. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Top-rated vehicles in crash tests are honored by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety with a Top Safety Pick award. Each of the vehicles must earn Good ratings in frontal, side-impact crash tests, plus evaluations of head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts. In addition, each winning vehicle must offer electronic stability control. The 2009 VW Jetta sedan and wagon are among the few economy cars to earn this honor.

Review: Top Safety Picks 2009, Editors of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety