Capsule Review: 2015 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

Capsule Review: 2015 Volkswagen Jetta TDI -

To say the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta TDI is not about saving fuel is to miss the point. But to say that is pretty much all about the money-saving is to tell a lie.

If your only mission was to spend less money on personal transportation in the new field of vehicles, highway mileage jaw-dropping generated by a 2.0 liter turbo diesel is not necessarily the ticket to freedom personal

financial

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• USD Price As Tested :. $ 30,020

• Power: 150 @ 3500 rpm

• Torque: 236 @ 1750 rpm

• observed fuel economy: 44.4 mpg

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There are much cheaper ways to get around town in a Jetta highbrow as our test example, with its seats leather, navigation, enhanced audio, and direct transmission shift dual clutch Volkswagen.

So why can 't comingle both goals? I would say they are, a new car buyer can enjoy the benefits of an upgrade, torquey, semi-luxurious, spacious and compact German car - and spend the money that is needed to do - all enjoying weeks range fuel tank.

However, it is not as easy for me to say that, as it was in the past. After years of local parity or even favoring diesel prices, diesel now costs more than regular gasoline in Nova Scotia. The new engine turbo 1.8L four-cylinder gas I lived in the Mk7 Golf also eat into the advantage of the efficiency of TDI so the old 2.5L five-cylinder never dreamed of doing. And premium $ 2300 CAD for TDI flexible 1.8T this is scary, at least before the resale value is taken into account.

The TDI is not quite on the same level as Tesla Model S, which the owner can afford the initial investment, and enjoys the combination of electrified transport and ridiculous performance. a direct comparison can be made with a Chevrolet Volt owner who accepts the highest price of the car because he finds satisfaction in long periods of electric only driving without the limited range penalty. Nevertheless, in a similar way, the cost and the premium in advance at the pump do not interfere with an owner of TDI supply fun in the rhythm of the real world of his car and his aversion to fuel consumption .

See, just because a purchase of new car consumers or rent a car with the clear intention of fuel economy does not mean that the consumer should highlight the frugal trends across the board . They can still drive the car they want. And strangely enough, despite a forgettable style, lack of car headlights, steering not quite Golf-like, a little wind whistle around the pillar, a unit of archaic infotainment, and one of the least effective pairings DSG the Jetta TDI is actually desirable.

Certainly, I would say it is less desirable than the equipment level increases. Highline-trim car lent to us by Volkswagen Canada is deeply slides into the Passat territory. Yes, the Jetta is very spacious considering its dimensions - at 182.2 inches long, it is only two inches longer than a sedan Mazda 3. But the interior of the Passat is absolutely huge.

In the US, diesel Jettas start at $ 22,460. 6 dual clutch automatic adds $ 1,100. A SEL Jetta TDI with DSG and the package $ 1,60 Driver Assistance (Collision Warning forward, the blind spot monitoring) tops out at $ 30,020, including $ 1,750 diesel option. An intermediate level Passat TDI costs $ 29,945.

But remember, 2015 is not as Jetta 2014 Jetta. back ride quality aids independent suspension, which is really quite serene. The upgraded interior, aside from the touchscreen system laggy with poor graphics, never let me down once in terms of material quality and ergonomics. Jetta leadership has not the sharpness of the Golf and the lack of instant response DSG works with the mind frame for comfort away from aggressive driving on winding roads. overall road behavior of the Jetta, however, offers a mature atmosphere, me leaving him with the feeling that the Jetta is perhaps better to take the fight for midsize sedans as an alternative slightly Downsized rather than tough compact with the top price tag crust.

also updated for 2015 was the powerplant. Diesel is still a 2.0L with 236 lb-ft of torque, but it is not the same 2.0L diesel old. It is quieter, smoother and a little happier to rev, and it is also more effective. The prices of the EPA highway from 42 mpg to 45. In a week of driving around the city and its suburbs recorded 44.4 mpg Jetta that was just amazing. With below zero temperatures and a heavy right foot, the sample test easily outperformed the combined ratings city and nearly matched the official number of the road.

questioned the wisdom of spending $ 30K + on a fuel miser if you must, but 44 mpg in the city is the kind of city that breeds loyalty diesel. I just wish that 2015 Jetta still looked like the fourth generation model, handled like the GLI, and could be filled with fuel that does not cost an extra $ 0.47 / gallon.

Timothy Cain is the founder of GoodCarBadCar.net , who is obsessed with the free and frequent publication of US and Canadian sales figures auto.