Forty-miles-per-gallon consistency in highway cruising is a highlight of the torquey, 2.0-liter, 140-horsepower TDI engine in the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta; a bonus is its ability to kick down and conquer those big hills to the west of the city.
The clean-diesel performance exceeds that of most gas/electric hybrids among competitively sized compact sedans.
Cross-shopping of diesels and hybrids may not be prevalent today.
“Most of our TDI customers are dedicated diesel followers,” said Denise Dennis, general sales manager at Tynan’s Volkswsagen in Aurora, from where I picked up the Jetta review model.
Volkswagen TDI diesel engines date back into the 1990s and the German automaker has dominated sales of clean-diesel, light-duty automobile sales since.
The Jetta and its larger sibling, the Passat, are far ahead of the pack among diesel-equipped vehicles.
Through the first three months of this year, 8,151 Jetta TDI diesels have been sold in the U.S., followed by 7,769 Passats. Others of the top 10-selling diesels are the BMW 3-series with 2,179 sales, the BMW X5 with 1,553, Chevrolet Cruze 1,509, Audi Q5 1,424, Volkswagen Golf 1,267, Porsche Cayenne 1,180, BMW 5-series 1,098 and Mercedes ML 1,088.
Quite a lot is offered by the Jetta TDI compact four-door for its sticker price of $28,960.
Heading the amenities are an easy-to-use touch-screen navigation system and premium package of Fender audio, rearview camera, power sliding/tilting sunroof, push-button start, power driver seat and 17-inch alloy wheels with Continental ContiProContact 225/45R17 tires.
It also has front/front-side/curtain protection airbags and height-adjustable front safety belts, SiriusXM satellite radio/Bluetooth connectivity/iPod cable, air conditioning, trip computer, heated leatherette front seats, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, power windows and mirrors, intermittent wipers and a first-aid kit in the trunk.
The front-wheel-drive Jetta with clean-diesel technology operates smoothly and quietly; the clatter of the engines and smokey exhausts are only bad memories of diesels of the past. The TDI engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission and carries an EPA estimate of 30/42 mpg.
An improved independent rear suspension lends good ride and handling to the Jetta.
The Jetta is one of the roomiest of compact models in rear-seat space and its trunk is a large 15.5 cubic feet.
In addition to the TDI diesel version, the ’14 Jetta is available in gasoline editions of S, SE, SEL and GLI models. Beginning prices are around $18,000.
The Jetta’s overall length of 182.2 inches is among the longest of the compact segment. Other measurements are 183.9 for the Dodge Dart, 182.6 for Toyota Corolla, 182.1 for Nissan Sentra, 181 for Chevrolet Cruze, 179.4 for Honda Civic, 178.5 for Ford Focus and 178.3 for Hyundai Elantra.
For 2014, the Jetta’s standard 5-cylinder gas power has been replaced with a more spirited 1.8-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.
The original VW Jetta, in 1980, was 15 inches shorter and considered a subcompact. I drove one, a four-door notchback, over Memorial Day weekend in 1980; it was priced at $8,065, weighed only 1,900 pounds and boasted a short turning circle of 31 feet. Its wheelbase was 94.4 inches, same as that of a Chevrolet Chevette.
A look back
In early May 35 years ago, I reviewed in The Denver Post the 1979 Buick Electra Limited four-door sedan. Excerpts:
Even in its downsized form, the 1979 Buick Electra Limited is a very large automobile – on a wheelbase of 118.9 inches and 221.1 inches long. Only the Cadillac DeVille and Fleetwood are bigger among cars built by General Motors. Highest ratings for the Electra would be for its ride and handling, interior trim and fit, its luxury offerings and the steady response of its 350-cubic-inch V-8 engine with high-altitude emission system. Gas-mileage tests produced averages of 12.9 in town driving and 17.8 on the highway. Impressive optional items pushed the price of the Electra past $14,000 from a base of $8,402.15. Among the options are a CB-radio-clock package for $889 and an Astroroof for $998, automatic electric door locks, remote-control side mirrors with temperature on the left, custom wire wheel covers and white sidewall tires. Power steering, power brakes and power windows are all standard items. Trunk space is a wide 20.4 cubic feet and the fuel tank holds 25.3 gallons. With a weight of more than 3,900 pounds and automatic level control, the Electra’s ride is smooth, with little pitching or wallowing.
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