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2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan TDI 4dr Man
Trim Info:
Front Wheel Drive, 4 Door Sdn, Compact
30 mpg city / 41 mpg hwy
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30 mpg city / 41 mpg hwy
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Expert Reviews
November 18, 2009 by Alison Lakin, Associate Editor
2009 Volkswagen Jetta
Sedan
Sedan
Even though Volkswagen has a 32-year history of diesels in the U.S., the recent establishment of strict Tier II Bin 5 emissions control standards has found automakers struggling to bring a clean diesel to the US market. Using diesel technology developed in conjunction with Audi and Mercedes-Benz, the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI is the first vehicle to fully meet those tough specifications. The result is a Clark Kent/Superman situation: a normal looking Jetta with incredible fuel-economy, up to 41 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. VW not so subtly hints that the sedan can push way past those numbers in everyday driving. Their third party tester, AMCI, found real world conditions to return 44 mpg highway. You’ll have to find out for yourself if this is a more accurate result. Meanwhile, VW has loaded their newly efficient car with a large number of luxury features like heated leather seats and cruise control. Standard safety systems are plentiful as well. Put it all together and you’ve got a vehicle on the opposite spectrum from the noisy, smelly 70s-era diesels. Here’s to new (and clean) beginnings!
2009 Volkswagen Jetta
SportWagen
SportWagen
What's to Like
The number one reason why you should buy this car is its fuel-efficiency, but a $1,300 tax credit might please buyers as well. The diesel engine returns plenty of on demand torque to spirit the Jetta along. All 2009 VWs come with free scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles and roadside assistance for four years or 50,000 miles.
The number one reason why you should buy this car is its fuel-efficiency, but a $1,300 tax credit might please buyers as well. The diesel engine returns plenty of on demand torque to spirit the Jetta along. All 2009 VWs come with free scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles and roadside assistance for four years or 50,000 miles.
What's Not to Like
The base Jetta starts at $16,990 – five grand less than the diesel. With all the technology VW has on offer, we were disappointed by the overly basic standard audio display. The brakes don't quite support the full weight of the car during spirited driving either.
The base Jetta starts at $16,990 – five grand less than the diesel. With all the technology VW has on offer, we were disappointed by the overly basic standard audio display. The brakes don't quite support the full weight of the car during spirited driving either.
The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
Gas-powered Jettas have always had plenty of zip to them, so we weren’t surprised to find the Jetta TDI an even more enthusiastic partner on the road. Acceleration, while best over 1,800 rpm, pulls you through the gears with considerable ease. As does the DSG transmission, whose quick gear changes never found us wanting for more responsiveness. During the drive, you’ll struggle to hear the diesel engine knocking; it has been quieted to a mere whisper. If a whisper isn’t your style, slip the shifter down to the rev-happy Sport mode. This will put the Jet in Jetta, boosting the rpms for more immediate power. During all of this excitement, the Jetta’s steering remains heavy and direct. Brakes are a bit too squidgy to engage excessively solid stopping power, though emergency braking is sufficiently quick. A soft ride might produce a bit of body roll as well, but nothing worth fussing over.
DriverSide Driving Impressions
Gas-powered Jettas have always had plenty of zip to them, so we weren’t surprised to find the Jetta TDI an even more enthusiastic partner on the road. Acceleration, while best over 1,800 rpm, pulls you through the gears with considerable ease. As does the DSG transmission, whose quick gear changes never found us wanting for more responsiveness. During the drive, you’ll struggle to hear the diesel engine knocking; it has been quieted to a mere whisper. If a whisper isn’t your style, slip the shifter down to the rev-happy Sport mode. This will put the Jet in Jetta, boosting the rpms for more immediate power. During all of this excitement, the Jetta’s steering remains heavy and direct. Brakes are a bit too squidgy to engage excessively solid stopping power, though emergency braking is sufficiently quick. A soft ride might produce a bit of body roll as well, but nothing worth fussing over.
Engine and Drivetrain
The front-wheel drive Jetta TDI houses a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder turbocharged direct injection common rail engine. The diesel, as it is wont to do, limits the horsepower out, 140 with this set-up, but the TDI puts out a muscular 236 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed DSG automatic transmission.
The front-wheel drive Jetta TDI houses a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder turbocharged direct injection common rail engine. The diesel, as it is wont to do, limits the horsepower out, 140 with this set-up, but the TDI puts out a muscular 236 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed DSG automatic transmission.
Interesting Vehicle Features and Options
Features focused on comfort are abound in this compact car. Standard are heated, eight-way adjustable seats (hello, lumbar support), leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob and brake handle, auxiliary input jack and power windows and locks. A trip computer returns stats like average mpg – there’s no easier segue to blatant gloating to your hybrid driving friends.
Features focused on comfort are abound in this compact car. Standard are heated, eight-way adjustable seats (hello, lumbar support), leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob and brake handle, auxiliary input jack and power windows and locks. A trip computer returns stats like average mpg – there’s no easier segue to blatant gloating to your hybrid driving friends.
Key Technology Evaluation
VW’s premium audio system kept us grooving with its MP3 readable six-disc changer, 10 speakers and satellite radio. It can be controlled via the navigation system’s touch screen display. The iPod interface can’t be used via the touch screen like all other audio functions though. Navigation menus are easy to maneuver and never seem too fussy. Other tech involves more under-the-radar systems like standard Electronic Stability Control (ESP), Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Differential Lock (EDL). All help to keep the Jetta between the painted lines – where a trustworthy car should be.
VW’s premium audio system kept us grooving with its MP3 readable six-disc changer, 10 speakers and satellite radio. It can be controlled via the navigation system’s touch screen display. The iPod interface can’t be used via the touch screen like all other audio functions though. Navigation menus are easy to maneuver and never seem too fussy. Other tech involves more under-the-radar systems like standard Electronic Stability Control (ESP), Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Differential Lock (EDL). All help to keep the Jetta between the painted lines – where a trustworthy car should be.
Green Evaluation/Gas Mileage
The Jetta TDI still relies on oil, but you’ll be using a lot less of it with this car. The manual returns 30-mpg city and 41-mpg highway, while the DSG gearbox gets a healthy 29-mpg city and 40-mpg highway. VW believes those are conservative numbers. Our trip computer showed an average of 40.2 mpg at the end of our mountain road test course, leaving us in agreement with the German automaker. VW also says it is safe to add up to five percent biodiesel to your regular tank of diesel.
The Jetta TDI still relies on oil, but you’ll be using a lot less of it with this car. The manual returns 30-mpg city and 41-mpg highway, while the DSG gearbox gets a healthy 29-mpg city and 40-mpg highway. VW believes those are conservative numbers. Our trip computer showed an average of 40.2 mpg at the end of our mountain road test course, leaving us in agreement with the German automaker. VW also says it is safe to add up to five percent biodiesel to your regular tank of diesel.
A Closer Look: Vehicle Details
Interior
The TDI sports a modern and comfortable interior space. Room is tight in the back for heads hovering over the six-foot mark, but all five ‘leatherette’ seats have enough breathing room and bolstering for long trips. The large trunk can be extended with the ski pass-through or by folding down the rear seats.
Interior
The TDI sports a modern and comfortable interior space. Room is tight in the back for heads hovering over the six-foot mark, but all five ‘leatherette’ seats have enough breathing room and bolstering for long trips. The large trunk can be extended with the ski pass-through or by folding down the rear seats.
Exterior
Shockingly (!) the Jetta TDI looks just like a normal Jetta once you close the hood. It does sport some nice TDI badges, but that’s as far as the differences reach. The sedan features rounded lines and a signature VW grille to lead things off. In the options department, the only upgrades are found on the four legs: you can bump the wheel size from the standard 16-inch alloys to 17s.
Shockingly (!) the Jetta TDI looks just like a normal Jetta once you close the hood. It does sport some nice TDI badges, but that’s as far as the differences reach. The sedan features rounded lines and a signature VW grille to lead things off. In the options department, the only upgrades are found on the four legs: you can bump the wheel size from the standard 16-inch alloys to 17s.
Market Segment and Pricing
The Jetta sans TDI badge has a number of competitors: the Volvo S40, Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3 and Honda Civic to name a few. In the diesel trim, the Jetta stands alone. It starts at $21,990 for the manual and tops out at $23,090 to include the DSG gearbox. If fuel saving is your game no matter what the rules, the $22,000 Toyota Prius, $23,550 Hybrid Honda Civic and $25,090 Honda Civic GX (powered by compressed natural gas) will be your best cross-shops. While we haven’t tested it yet, the Jetta TDI also comes in a SportWagen form starting at $23,590.
The Jetta sans TDI badge has a number of competitors: the Volvo S40, Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3 and Honda Civic to name a few. In the diesel trim, the Jetta stands alone. It starts at $21,990 for the manual and tops out at $23,090 to include the DSG gearbox. If fuel saving is your game no matter what the rules, the $22,000 Toyota Prius, $23,550 Hybrid Honda Civic and $25,090 Honda Civic GX (powered by compressed natural gas) will be your best cross-shops. While we haven’t tested it yet, the Jetta TDI also comes in a SportWagen form starting at $23,590.
What We Think
If you are like so many economy-conscious drivers who actually enjoy driving, this Jetta TDI will be a breath of fresh air in a hybrid-inundated market. You’ll rarely see your mpgs drop below 27 or 26, even with aggressive driving. The Jetta’s price lets everyone in on the fun too. Clean diesel technology has now made looking after the earth an exciting and easy prospect.
If you are like so many economy-conscious drivers who actually enjoy driving, this Jetta TDI will be a breath of fresh air in a hybrid-inundated market. You’ll rarely see your mpgs drop below 27 or 26, even with aggressive driving. The Jetta’s price lets everyone in on the fun too. Clean diesel technology has now made looking after the earth an exciting and easy prospect.
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Arrival: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI – Great Twist, No RacketWhen we schedule vehicles for year-long stays, we attempt to take a cross section of what's available to the public-from hybrids to trucks to sports cars. But aside from a Chevrolet Silverado 2500D a while back, diesels have bee Source: www.motortrend.com
In the AutoblogGreen Garage: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI – Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, Green, Volkswagen Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI The car as we know it is being redefined. Hybrids have reintroduced electrons to the d Source: feedproxy.google.com
2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI - Four Seasons Update - April 2009 – 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI - Four Seasons Update - April 2009Our new road test coordinator, Mike Ofiara, succinctly summarized our general consensus after his first drive in the TDI: "The Jetta is a good car. And for about $23K, it's a great car."Mont Source: www.automobilemag.com
2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI - Long-Term Update – 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI - Long-Term Update2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDIYou tend to get a feel for your car's fuel consumption rate. Without even looking at the gauge you can tell how much gas you've got left and how long until the next fill up. Photo G Source: www.europeancarweb.com
2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI - Four Seasons Update - August 2009 – 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI - Four Seasons Update - August 2009Unfortunately for our Four Seasons Jetta TDI, the ambient heat in June and July has revealed that the car's air-conditioning isn't nearly as strong as it should be.Especially with EPA-combi Source: www.automobilemag.com
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