In the ongoing quest for better fuel efficiency, the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI is a breath of fresh air. The diesel Jetta has been reintroduced after a few years battling emissions control, and is now certified in 50 states as clean and green. It boasts over 40mpg which is comparable to the latest generation of Hybrids, and is cheaper than both the Toyota Prius and the Honda Civic Hybrid.
The rest of the Jetta range this year remains in the successful niche that Volkswagen has worked hard to carve out for itself as a great European car at Japanese and American car prices. The SportWagen is still a brilliant alternative to the bulky SUV crossovers that have dominated vehicle sales over previous years, yet sacrifice driving agility and economy for the sake of size.
2009 Volkswagen Jetta Performance
There are more versions of the Jetta this year than you can poke a stick at, and even more combinations of engines and features. But basically there are three engines on offer. The S, SE and SEL all share a 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine that produces 170hp and 177lb-ft of torque. As the baseline model it provides a decent amount of power, and Volkswagen’s typically tight and even sporty handling on their standard 16inch tires. The five-speed manual in particular is a joy to drive, but even the optional six-speed automatic is smooth and impressive, featuring Tiptronic.
The next step up in the Jetta range yields a 2.0-liter four cylinder turbocharged engine for the SEL SportWagen and GLI sedan that really zips along with 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. The GLI has outstanding handling ability, with minimal body lean in corners and 17inch tires, making 60mph in just 6.8 seconds. It also has the six-speed manual standard as well as dual clutch automatic transmission optional. Best of all you get all this performance with the same fuel economy as the base model – 21/29 mpg city/highway.
The Jetta TDI is the new turbodiesel with a 2.0-liter engine churning out a modest 140 hp but an amazing 236 lb-ft of torque at low revs. Six-speed manual and five-speed dual clutch automatic transmission are once again offered, and the biggest selling point is the superb fuel economy at 30/41 mpg city/highway (possibly up to 44 mpg according to the ACMI). Even with rising diesel prices, Volkswagen still estimates it to be 40% more efficient that its gasoline engines and anyone who has driven a diesel can confer with that. The folk at Volkswagen also cite resale value as a major incentive to go for the diesel Jetta, thanks to the well-regarded longevity of diesel engines.
2009 Volkswagen Jetta Interior and Features
The interior of the Jetta is one of its best features, oozing the kind of quality and finish usually reserved for far more expensive European cars. There are the wonderfully supportive heated seats covered in vinyl but still managing to look cool, the new improved touchscreen navigation system with 30GB hard drive (also for audio storage), iPod adapter and metallic trim throughout the cabin for a luxury feel. All the buttons and doors fit properly (a bit of a novelty in these days of cheap and cheerful cars), and there is a huge moonroof in the SportWagen that stretches all the way back into the second row of seats. The general feel of the car is warm and inviting.
There is plenty of legroom and head room in the front with even more thanks to the telescoping steering wheel, and although the back seat is tight, three children or two adults can fit on quite comfortably. One of the real selling features of the Jetta is the cargo space, even for the sedan which offers a very impressive 16 cubic feet and 32 cubic feet for the SportWagen. If it is space in the back you need, and you want to retain the car-like feel and handling of a wagon rather than an SUV, it is really hard to go past the Jetta.
2009 Volkswagen Jetta Safety
There is much to be said for the Volkswagen’s safety record, and the Jetta scores a perfect 5 stars in government crash testing for side impact situations. Four stars are awarded for front impact and rollover crashes, with an overall rating of “good”. Six standard airbags are included including full length curtain airbags as well as front and side bags. Electronic stability control is standard, as is traction control anti-lock brakes and anti-skid system to prevent the vehicle from losing control in emergency situations.
Safety features:
- Full airbags at front and rear
- Electronic stability control, anti-lock disc brakes, anti-skid and traction control
- LATCH (lower anchors and tethers for children)
The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta series remains a brilliant option as a middle road between the high-priced and high luxury European cars and the lower priced but lower-quality Japanese, American and other Asian makes. The diesel TDI is a real achievement for its superior fuel economy and efficiency, and sets Volkswagen up for a bright future in these times of economic downturn.