Why you should buy the 2009 VW Jetta SportWagen TDI:
You want a car that's pretty fast and very frugal and your Labrador hates being left at home. You want a practical, economical family car, but you haven't been brainwashed into thinking your only option once you're pregnant with your first child is a 9-seat Suburban. You like the idea of hybrid fuel economy, but not the lackluster hybrid driving experience. You're a white lab coat-wearing teutonophile with a thing for precise oil-burners. You understand what's going on underneath the hood of a car and are able to wrap your moderately-sized intellect around the concept of DSG.

Why you shouldn't buy this car:
You eat every meal at Mickey D's and your idea of automotive excellence is a late ‘90s Buick. You think diesel is the fuel of communists. The idea of your car doing anything other than slushing its way slowly up to highway speed questions your fundamental understanding of the world. The idea of a Palin/Limbaugh ticket in 2010 has you up at night polishing your guns with excitement. You're the average driver and, like all your peers, you've subconsciously learned to fear any car that requires any thought from its driver. You know how to drive stick.

Suitability Parameters:
Speed Merchants: No
Fashion Victims: Yes
Treehuggers: Yes
Mack Daddies: No
Tuner Crowd: No
Hairdressers: No
Penny Pinchers: Yes
Euro Trash: Yes
Working Stiffs: No
Technogeeks: No
Poseurs: No
Soccer Moms: Yes
Nascar Dads: No
Golfing Grandparents: Yes
Sheiklets: No
Very Serious Businessmen: No

Also Consider:
• the manual version
• 2010 Toyota Prius
• 2010 Honda Insight
• 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Vitals:
• Manufacturer: Volkswagen
• Model: Jetta SportWagen TDI
• Model year: 2009
• Base Price: $23,870
• Price as Tested: $29,410
• Engine type: 2.0-Liter, 4-cylinder, in-line, turbocharged direct injection, common rail diesel
• Horsepower: 140 HP @ 4000 RPM
• Torque: 236 Lb-Ft @ 1,750-2,500 RPM
• Transmission: Dual-clutch automated manual
• Curb Weight: 3,285 Lbs
• LxWxH: 179.4" x 70.1" x 59.2"
• Wheelbase: 101.5"
• Tires: 205/44 R16
• 0 - 60 mph: 9.5 seconds (manufacturer quoted)
• Top Speed: 128 MPH (manufacturer quoted)
• EPA Fuel economy city/highway: 29/40 MPG
• Jalopnik Fuel Economy: 37.4 MPG (city/highway mix 25/75%)
• NHTSA crash test rating: ****(Driver)/****(Passenger)/*****(Side, front and rear)/**** (Rollover)

Also see:
• 2009 VW Jetta SportWagen TDI, Part One
• 2009 VW Jetta SportWagen TDI, Part Two

Exterior Design: ***
Utterly innocuous, but in a handsome way. The Jetta SportWagen's not going to offend anyone, but it's not going to set hearts alight either. Like a black jellybean with chrome accents, it's lucky that those accents actually look nice and restrained. The Jetta could fit into any crowd from a college campus to fancy valet parking.

Interior Design: ****
Initial impressions of a sterile sparseness give way to well thought-out proportions, convenient features and just the right amount of space. VW isn't the only car maker to offer a full-length sunroof, but it really helps lighten up the interior and is well worth the $1,100.

Acceleration: ***
Slow off-the-line, but 236 Lb-Ft of torque provides ample oomph for overtaking, entering freeways and exiting corners. Use the manual mode to exploit the wide powerband of the diesel engine to its fullest and the engine feels great. Leave it in auto and the transmission is was too eager to upshift, spoiling acceleration immensely. It's a torquey diesel, not a high-revving gasoline engine; rapid-fire upshifts are not what's needed here.

Braking: ****
Strong, fade-free brakes and good pedal feel result in complete confidence in the Jetta's braking ability. The DSG transmission spoils it a little bit by clunkily slamming 1st gear home as you come close to a stop and delivering unexpected levels of engine-braking once in that gear.

Ride: ****
Controlled but comfortable, you can feel the road's surface through the steering wheel but not your butt.

Handling: ***
Decent steering feel, good high-speed stability and reasonably light on its feet, the Jetta TDI is always able to do what you ask of it. It's nevertheless a bit on the boring side thanks to softish suspension tuning and a strong propensity for understeer. Competent rather than exciting.

Gearbox: *
The six-speed DSG gearbox is utterly unsuited to the Jetta TDI. Competent drivers will just buy the excellent six-speed manual version and there's no traditional torque converter auto for the huddling masses of stick shift incompetents. That means they'll be saddled with too many jerky shifts instead of smooth progress. All that's going to do is reinforce all the negative stereotypes diesel is saddled with in this country. The DSG box works much better in performance applications, where it's equipped with paddles and different tuning, allowing drivers to fully exploit a high-revving engine. Floor the throttle in the Jetta TDI and you get a succession of upshifts rather than acceleration. You and I will leave it in manual mode and appreciate the reasonably quick shifts, but Joe and Sally normal won't and it'll piss them off.

Audio: ***
The excellent interface makes up for the slightly lackluster sound. Flips through Sirius channels rapidly with full song, artist and station details appearing immediately, most other system lag for a few seconds, which makes browsing frustrating. The MP3 integration and 6-CD changer will fulfill your other musical needs admirably.

Toys: **
How much money do you want to spend? The base $23,870 car is fairly Spartan, but does include fake leather seats. Add the navigation system for $1,990 and you get a latest-gen system with an excellent interface, traffic alerts and rerouting and the above mentioned audio system. The $1,100 sunroof is great too; open wind barely disturbs the cabin and with the sun shade closed you won't even get a sunburn. The $1,100 gearbox doesn't even come with paddles. That's about all you can add except for wheels. (Hint, don't spec the DSG box and spend the money on the sunroof and driving lessons instead)

Value: ****
$23,870 for a right-sized station wagon with a fast and frugal turbo-diesel engine? Sounds good to us. Add 29 MPG city and 40 MPG highway figures and that becomes an excellent deal for high-mileage commuters, long-term owners and epic road trip-takers. The 33 MPG average TDI engine carries a $2,445 premium over the similarly spec'd 24 MPG 2.5-liter Jetta SE. Assuming 15,000 miles a year and equal fuel costs of $2.50 a gallon, you'll need to drive for five years to save money. So figure out your usage before buying if you want to cut costs.

Overall: ***
A great little wagon that's good-to-drive, frugal and unique in the market place, but it'll be spoiled for many by the crappy DSG transmission. If you want the manual, buy without hesitation, if you lost your left leg in the ‘Nam, try before you buy.

Also see:
• VW Jetta SportWagen TDI, Part One

Largely due to GM's abortive efforts with diesel in the '80s, the fuel has an extremely negative image in this country. While thrift-minded Euros have looked no further for decades, most Americans associate diesel with clouds of black smoke, rattles, poor performance and unavailability at gas stations. This created the market gap for hybrids, re-branding fuel economy with technology too complicated for most people to understand and unique styling.

The Jetta TDI seeks to put the kibosh on the rise of the hybrids by pushing traditional automotive values like performance, space, practicality and fun in a package that will still save its drivers money on fuel. Starting at just $22,270 for the sedan and $23,870 for the wagon, that's a $2,445 premium over the similarly spec'd Jetta SE. That puts it squarely in mid-spec 2010 Toyota Prius price territory, and is usefully cheaper than the $27,270 17" wheel-equipped Prius V that's actually decent to drive. Officially rated at 29 MPG city and 40 MPG highway, the Jetta TDI is considerably more frugal than the 21 city/29 highway Jetta SE.

It's fun to drive too. Making 140 HP at 4,000 RPM and 236 Lb-Ft between 1,750 and 2,500 RPM meaning the engine's flexibility and day-to-day usability far outweighs its somewhat disappointing 9.5-second 0-60 MPH time (the sedan does the same run in 8.2 seconds). You can hold high gears on country roads, using fifth for everything from fast overtaking to 40 MPH corners. The chassis returns the classic VW values of complete competence, reasonable response and a fair bit more involvement than most would expect from a compact car. It's not going to set an enthusiastic driver's heart alight, but it would give the average hoon a worthy companion.

Adding the wagon doesn't just decrease the acceleration and increase the price, it transforms the car form a less practical VW Golf/Rabbit/whatever they're calling it these days into something with a serious level of hauling ability for a relatively small vehicle. Seats down, it has 66.9 cubic feet of storage room; seats up that drops to 32.8 cubic feet (double that of the sedan) but creates space for two adults to sit in the rear in comfort with 35.5" of leg room, you could fit a third, pathetic excuse for an adult back there in a pinch. In Europe, the 2009 VW Jetta SportWagen TDI would be considered a spacious family car, it could be in America too as long as you believe in birth control and exercise.

So far, the Jetta TDI makes a convincing case for itself as a do-anything, appeal-to-anyone fuel-sipper, but then you get to the gearbox. People that prefer driving stick need read no further, a standard is fitted as standard and its six speeds are well-spaced and fun to use. But only 6% of all cars sold in America have a manual transmission and this Jetta TDI doesn't come with an auto, it comes with a DSG and an odd one at that.

In performance applications like the VW GTI or Audi TT, VW's DSG gearbox is rightly praised as incredibly quick to shift — just 8 milliseconds on a full-throttle upshift — and, when compared to a torque converter automatic, is very fuel-efficient, lightweight and loses virtually no power. Here, in the Jetta TDI, while driving fast it's no different except for the lack of paddles, manual shifting is done by moving the tunnel-mounted selector forward for up and backward for down. After driving many DSG-equipped cars it's weird not having the paddles, but you get used to it.

It's while doing anything but driving fast that the DSG is problematic. Shift when the transmission's electronic brain isn't expecting it and the transition can take up to 400 milliseconds and is intrusively jerky. Leave it in auto mode, as most drivers are likely to do, and it's even worse. Upshifts come way too soon and too frequently, spoiling acceleration and overtaking ability, while downshifts don't come when expected and are, again, very intrusive, especially for the shift from 2nd to 1st. The DSG doesn't behave like an auto at low speeds, there's no creep and there's a comparatively huge amount of engine braking in 1st. Drive along at low speed, lift off the gas and you come to an abrupt halt, almost as if the parking brake has been left on.

Sport mode is a little better, moving up and downshifts up the rev range a little bit, but it still doesn't allow you to exploit the full expanse of the power band like you want to in a car this flexible.

As a test, I had my auto-only girlfriend drive the Jetta slowly down the private road her parents live on. The first time she lifted off the gas her response was "Ahhhhhh!" The DSG-equipped Jetta just doesn't behave like the average driver expects it to.

Our fear is that the DSG transmission's jerkiness; unpredictability and poor manners will combine with the average American's negative perception of diesel to turn them away from buying the car. Sure, the Continuously Variable Transmissions, on/off engines and electric motors of hybrids result in an odd drive too, but not in a way that would upset the habits of casually careless drivers, in fact the Hybrid driving characteristics play into the "my car is so high-tech I don't understand what it's doing" mindset, the Jetta DSG is just annoying in comparison.

That transmission makes it harder to make a case for the mainstream acceptance of the Jetta TDI over a car like the Toyota Prius. Even with the Jetta TDI's recent 48-state, 58.8 MPG Guinness World Record, the Prius still easily achieves more with an official rating of 50 MPG and hypermiling figures in the 60 and 70 MPG range potentially are easily achievable. Gas is typically cheaper than diesel too.

The end result is a car that we really like, a car that can competently perform everything from people hauling, moving furniture and commuting to driving fast on mountain roads, all for a reasonable price and while returning really good fuel economy. It's also a car that we'd recommend people who'll get the stick should buy. But, the Jetta TDI, when equipped with the DSG transmission, just isn't a car that we think the average American driver will like. That's a shame. Average Americans, we mean.

Volkswagen’s all-new clean diesel is right for the times and now available in all 50 states

HERNDON, Va.—Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced that their all-new, and highly anticipated 50-state compliant clean diesel Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen are now available for customer delivery.

“We’re proud to be the first manufacturer to offer a clean diesel vehicle for sale in all fifty states,” said Stefan Jacoby, CEO/President, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “We believe our Jetta TDI’s truly offer a no compromise alternative fuel driving experience, that provides the customer the best of both worlds—excellent fuel efficiency combined with a dynamic driving experience.”

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the Jetta TDI at an economical 29 mpg City and 40 mpg Highway. Volkswagen went a step further to evaluate the real world fuel economy of the Jetta TDI. Leading third-party certifier, AMCI, tested the Jetta TDI and found it performed 24 percent better in real world conditions, achieving 38 mpg in the City and 44 mpg on the Highway.*

EPA research has concluded that if diesels were to power one third of all light duty vehicles in the United States, the shift would save approximately 1.4 million barrels of oil a day—equal to the daily shipments from Saudi Arabia to the U.S.

Providing even more value to the Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen, a $1300 Federal Income Tax Credit was recently announced. The Internal Revenue Service issued a certification letter affirming that both vehicles qualify for an Advanced Lean Burn Technology Motor Vehicle income tax credit.

The Jetta TDI’s come standard with Volkswagen’s Prevent and Preserve Safety System, consisting of numerous standard safety features. Jetta TDI’s include six airbags, with optional rear side airbags, and like all 2009 model year Volkswagens, Jetta TDI’s also feature standard Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) for added safety.

Also standard for 2009 is Volkswagen’s carefree maintenance program, with this program there are no charges for the scheduled maintenance described in the vehicle’s maintenance booklet for the length of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty—three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

Recently Volkswagen announced pricing for their Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen would start at $21,990 and $23,590, respectively.

Suitability Parameters:
Speed Merchants: No
Fashion Victims: Yes
Treehuggers: No
Mack Daddies: No
Tuner Crowd: No
Hairdressers: Yes
Penny Pinchers: No
Euro Snobs: Yes
Working Stiffs: Yes
Technogeeks: No
Poseurs: No
Soccer Moms: Yes
Nascar Dads: No
Golfing Grandparents: Yes

Also Consider:
• VW Jetta SportWagen TDI
• VW Jetta SportWagen 2.0T
• Mazda6 Wagon, if you can find one
• Subaru WRX
• Audi A3

Vitals:
• Manufacturer: Volkswagen
• Model year: 2009
• Base Price: Good Question
• Price as Tested: Better Question
• Engine type: 2.5L DOHC I5
• Horsepower: 170 @ 5,700 RPM
• Torque: 177 @ 4,250 RPM
• Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
• LxWxH: 179.3" x 70.1" 57.4"
• Wheelbase: 101.5"
• EPA Fuel economy city/highway: 21/29
• NHTSA crash test rating: ****/**** (Driver/Passenger)

Also see:

• 2009 Jetta Sportwagen, Part One
• 2009 Jetta SportWagen, Part Two

Acceleration:**
We can't wait to see the performance numbers for the wagon with the new 2.0-Liter TDI four banger, which looks to put out 235 lb/ft of torque. This is my nice way of saying that while the 170-horsepower 2.5-Liter I5 provides enough power to keep up with your neighbors, you'll need a little more to outpace them.

Braking:***
Despite the added heft of the wagon, its four-wheel disc brakes provide easy and predictable stopping power. This came in handy when driving through Wrigleyville, with its high concentration of bars, and playing my favorite game: dodge the drunk. I didn't run over anyone who didn't deserve it.

Ride:***
It is a testament to the designers that the SportWagen maintains the sportier-than-thou handling that Volkswagens are known for without sacrificing ride quality. Though the suspension is tuned stiffer than your dad's Country Squire, you'll still be able to apply EZ Cheese to your pretzels without making a mess as you cross the country on the way to your family reunion.

Handling:***
Speaking of the Country Squire, this Jetta could drive circles around it with an independent suspension up front consisting of McPherson struts and a rear multi-link rear setup. It is genuinely fun to toss the SportWagen about and doesn't suffer from a case of the leans in heavy cornering. The steering response is wonderful, providing a level of feedback much higher than you'd expect from a car in this class.

Gearbox:***
The five-speed manual transmission, like much else on this vehicle, provides predictable and precise performance. Even with sloppy shifting and some experimenting with the throttle I never felt the threat of slippage. Fourth gear felt a touch tall given that fifth gear is setup for highway driving, but that's a minor complaint given how much we enjoy the novelty of having a fun manual transmission in a wagon for sale in the US.

Audio:***
The standard eight-speaker stereo provides great sound throughout the open cabin. Chicago is a nightmare for people who listen to non-satellite radio but the Diversity Antenna, which switches between two physical antennae, never let me down. All that's separating this system from that extra star is the fact that the base audio system in this model features an input for an iPod but no discernible way of using it. Pod teases.

Toys:***
This particular model isn't heavy on toys but there are a few nice additions, including three power outlets, fully automatic windows for all passengers, integrated turn signal mirrors and dual reflector headlights that feature tiny VW logos.

Value:***
Yesterday I hinted that the base price was going to be somewhere near $20,000. Though I don't have an "as tested" price for this model, it looks like the base price could be as low as $19,900 and as high as $24,500. I still believe this is a reasonable amount to pay for the product (especially at the lower end), but the real value may come with the TDI model.

Overall: ***
Though not a knockout in either performance or looks, I was sad to see the SportWagen go. I've always had a soft spot in my heart for that extra pillar and being able to enjoy a wagon designed to the higher standards of our snooty European brothers and sisters without a slush box is a rare treat. Paired with a clean turbodiesel capable of an EPA estimated 41 mpg highway (though we expect a higher real world experience), the SportWagen could be a real contender.

Also see:

• 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Part One
• 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Part Three

Though I find this move disappointing, the indistinctness of the Jetta is mostly inoffensive and in SportWagen form the car loses the dorky symmetrical greenhouse for a slightly angled beltline that finishes with a thick pillar a la Cayenne. If you're into the sort of thing. And even if you aren't, as with the houses, you'll be spending more time inside enjoying it than outside staring at it. In my case this "enjoying" means the fun of toying with solid German engineering and not the pain of trying to lounge in the specially designed though miserably uncomfortable Wright furniture.

The inside of this car is a comfortable place to be even though this particular SportWagen was the basest of base models, equipped with a five-speed manual transmission and the 2.5-liter inline-five engine. Volkswagen likes to tout the fact that this engine is half of a Lamborghini V10 (they share a head-design) which is true in the way that ELO Part 2 was half of ELO. Despite its over-hyped origin the 170 horsepower and 177 lbs-ft of torque provide sufficient power. Those not content with sufficiency will have the option of the 2.0-liter turbo or 50-state legal TDI fourbanger when the car goes on sale in a few months.

Driving home from Target with a load of soymilk, toilet paper and the assorted basic needs of a modern life the VW encouraged confidence with enough power available to get me from stoplight to stoplight without worrying I'd find a lead-footed cabbie in the spacious hatch. However, while trying to sprint up a long highway onramp I nearly ran out of room before having to give way to a Compact SUV. Racing down the highway to reclaim my manhood, in a wagon no less, I was able to smoothly guide the quickly yielding shifter into third before it ran out of breath. I guess I could take comfort in the fact that with nearly 67 cubic feet of storage space the Jetta could easily haul more gear than the SUV.

I felt better when the Jetta reached the outer limits of Cook County along a stretch of road leading up to the aforementioned Glencoe, one of the locations used by John Hughes in Ferris Bueller's Day Off to represent upper-class comfort. All of a sudden the monotonous straightness gives way to a patch of road that doesn't stay straight for longer than 60 yards and includes a number of blind curves. Though there was a suggestion for lower speed, the Jetta shrugged it off. This generation features an independent suspension at all corners, including a rear multilink setup "borrowed" from Ford's capable C1-platform (they hired the same designers), which I was easily able to put to good use charting a sharp, fast line like a caterer late for a Junior League tea.

Weaving my way past the carefully manicured lawns and opulent homes it struck me that any shortcomings could be easily forgotten if you consider that this is a well-built, well-handling and attractive station wagon with German heritage and a manual transmission that should sell for somewhat less than most of these people spend to send their bratty kids to preschool (we hear close to $20K when it goes on sale).

Say what you will about the relatively bland new look, the 2009 Jetta SportWagen feels both unique and structurally sound. That's more than we can say for all of Wright's work. The famous Fallingwater may be one-of-a-kind, but the property has been saddled with problems ranging from rampant mold to balconies that started to bend due to insufficient reinforcement. That small detail and the general progression of taste meant the enclave of Prairie-style design in Glencoe is a historic neighborhood, no longer replicated. And with the impending demise of the Mazda6 wagon in North America, the SportWagen could be the last of a dying breed of fun, relatively cheap wagons.

Also see:

• 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Part Two
• 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Part Three