2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Review: Driving the Ecobahn
Jun 1, 2009 ;)
Before I set my career path in motion I had to supplement my income by delivering pizza to pay the bills. Slinging cardboard boxes and hoping for an extra dollar here and there was definitely not the most satisfying job in the world. But, if I had owned a Jetta TDI during that time, the delivery job would have been a bit more bearable.
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When you are in your teens and early 20s, the last thing on your mind when you buy a car is fuel economy. Bombing around town, making all cylinders fire in symphony, and dumping as much fuel through into the cylinders as possible is an addiction that is hard to break. The points on my licence from when I was younger will prove it. Then, one night while delivering the meat and cheese slathered pies, my thought process did a complete one-eighty. In order to pay rent and keep on top of my bills I had to nurse the tank of fuel to the absolute maximum.
The Jetta TDI has made a return to the North American market after a year’s hiatus. Due to changing emissions regulations, the Jetta has been reintroduced with a new 2.0L four cylinder common rail turbo diesel. Though the oil burner produces a respectable 140hp at 4,000RPM, the kicker is the 236 foot pound band of torque between 1750 and 2500rpm. The diesel is quiet and smooth, with the torque band sneaking up on you from time to time. Initially starting from a dead stop can feel a bit lethargic. Then, a couple of seconds later, when hitting Newton’s sweet spot, you can sometimes be unpleasantly surprised by the front wheels breaking traction.
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Dual-clutch transmissions are definitely the way of the future, and the one the Jetta is equipped with is no exception. With smooth up-shifts and fuel economy that rivals traditional row-your-own manuals, the DSG gives you the convenience of an automatic while also providing the option to be shifted sequentially in Tiptronic mode. When first getting used to switching gears yourself it can be a little frustrating when you are used to a traditional standard gearbox. Sometimes it refuses to shift when you tell it to. Other times, when you do get it to shift down a cog, it can be a bit jerky and unpleasant for passengers. Once you get the hang of it, the smoothness returns and the whiplash drama subsides. Until then, I would suggest leaving Rover at home, as I am sure he won’t appreciate having his nose print on the rear view mirror.
If I had to pick the best quality of the Jetta, it would be its chassis and suspension. The sedan offers sporty handing in a family package. Driving around town is a treat, even if the suspension is a bit on the hard side. The suspension, due to its stiffness, provides exceptional handing, turning you into a monster addicted to corners and making you beg for the next sweeper. Steering feedback could be just a touch better, as it is a bit light at higher speeds, and at lower velocities it can feel a bit heavy. Don’t let that deter you from the Jetta though, as I am nitpicking at this point.
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The interior is top notch, sporting high quality plastics throughout. Our tester was outfitted with the mid-range audio system which, due to the colour of its buttons, seemed a tad out of place in comparison to the rest of the center console. The leather lined doors in Highline trim are a nice touch, as are the faux suede lined glovebox and carpeted bottoms of the door pockets. The seats are firm and not once did I feel uncomfortable. The bolsters supported my 6 foot plus slender frame quite well and kept me in place when carving corners on secondary roads. On the flip side, I have a serious distaste for the Jetta’s gauge cluster and Volkswagen Information System, the Jetta’s on-board computer display. The cluster is not pleasing to the eye, with red needles on bluish-purple illuminated dials. It is almost a case of being different for the sake of being different. On top of that, the stalks mounted on the steering column are awkwardly placed behind the wheel in such a way that they are barely visible. Using cruise was an effort the first couple of times attempted and when it started to rain I found myself clumsily fumbling around to get the wipers into motion. Also, skip the sunroof option. Even though it is a great option to have on a nice sunny day, the noise that it creates in the passenger cabin is deafening at times.
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Standing on the outside looking at the Jetta is a bit like looking at a piece of clay that has been slightly moulded over time. The front of the car shows off a stylish chrome grille and big headlights, giving the car a bit of presence. Walk around to the rear and the darkly tinted taillights add a sporting flare to the German auto. It is the piece between the front and the rear that is dreadfully boring though. The side view of the Jetta looks as if the designer cut a shape out of a flat piece of sheet metal, realized he was late for Oktoberfest, and left to drink out of a stein for the rest the creative process. It’s not that the view is bad. It’s just that I feel completely indifferent to it. Plus, the raised beltline toward the back of the car turns the rear window into a porthole, making visibility just a tad bit tricky. Overall, not a bad package, and it will turn a head here and there.
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The whole time in possession of the Jetta I garnered the same question from most people I talked to: “Is it good on gas?”
“It’s horrid on gas. But, it is excellent on diesel.”
Even from my pizza delivery days, I still haven’t been able to completely abolish my inner hoon. Driving away briskly from a stop light still gives me that little shot of endorphins that are needed in my day-to-day life to handle all the monotony. And, taking that into consideration, the little oil burner returned a respectable 6.3L/100km in combined highway and town driving (notice I didn’t say city driving as, after all, I do live in Prince Edward Island).
So, mister pizza delivery man or woman with an extra $30k kicking around, this is the car for you (especially with the heated seats to keep the Italian delights toasty). It will maximize profit at the end of the night and still give you enjoyment whisking you door to door. Chances are you aren’t a pizza delivery person though. So, if you want a car that returns cheap thrills and a little bit of extra change in your pocket, add the Jetta to your shortlist as I can guarantee you will not be disappointed.
2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Sedan Summary
Base Price: $24,275
As Tested: $32,575
Engine: 2.0L 16-valve DOHC inline-four turbodiesel (140hp / 236 lb.-ft.)
Pros:
* Very economical
* Seats are amazingly comfortable
* The DSG dual-clutch automatic is easy on fuel and fun to use when shifting on your own
Cons:
* Sunroof creates way too much noise in the passenger cabin
* Gauge cluster isn't the nicest to look at
* Starts can be a bit jerky at mid-throttle
Overall Rating: 4/5
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