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In the United States, Volkswagen has earned a reputation for sustaining its diesel technology program as other automakers have casually flirted with oil burners. With the introduction of the Touareg Hybrid SUV, and the forthcoming 2011 Jetta hybrid, is Volkswagen ultimately pushing potential buyers away from diesels?
Several days ago, we asked you whether it was right for Honda to abandon diesel technology to focus exclusively on hybrids. While commenter loasdrums wrote that “diesels are a hard sell for Americans,” Volkswagen has been a diesel pioneer in America since the first TDI-equipped models nearly 30 years ago. During our year in a Volkswagen Jetta TDI, we had no complaints, and seeing an average of 37 mpg wasn’t so bad, either.
Will a VW Jetta hybrid ultimately steal the thunder from a comparably equipped TDI model? Or will a hybrid just add another flavor to the menu of Jettas?
Today’s Snap Judgment:
Jetta Hybrid or Jetta TDI?
What do you think? Let us know in the comments section.
It depends. As owners of a Jetta TDI since 2010, my wife and I love the performance, low consumption, and low emissions of the new generation of diesel engines. It is always our clear choice for longer trips on the highway, compared to our V6 Passat (a gem itself!). But we may prefer a hybrid for our day-to-day driving within the city, which constitutes 80% + of our overall mileage. The reasons would be substantially the same (if true!), i.e. lower consumption and emissions. Not so sure though about the announced performance of the new Jetta hybrid; sounds like it might be a bit slugish.
I think a TDI-Hybrid should be in VWs future. Mercedes promised us diesel hybrids in the S and M class, and when their hybrids hit the market they were of the gasoline variety. a TDI-H would probably beat the Prius in MPG and be a heck of a lot more fun to drive, a Toureg TDI-H would probably beat the RX Hybrid all while looking and feeling more like a luxury vehicle. And can you imagine a Passat TDI-H getting 50 MPG? If they could keep the price of it around 35 grand, I doubt Toyota would even be able to sell a loaded Prius again, plus it would not help the GS hybrid sales too much either. For Audi they can work on a plug in version of the TDI-H powertrain giving like a 30 mile electric only range as something to show Audi as being more premium, and for Porsche a Cajun and Cayenne with a Plug in TDI-H engine that could maybe get 40 miles on electric only with room for additional batteries, would all show that the VW group is an innovator. As it stands now, the only Diesel Hybrid for sale in the world comes from a company that does not sell cars in this country, something the big 3 should seriously consider getting their hands on.
Diesels dominate Europe. Why? Proven engine dependability and great durability combined with outstanding fuel economy. Most of the hybrids rely on nickle-hydride batteries (nickle production is HIGHLY polluting, creating huge “dead” zones around smelting plants) and very skinny, low rolling resistance tires in order to achieve their fine mileage figures – at the expense of anything remotely approaching “sportiness” . My 2011 VW Golf TDI come with fat, grippy tires, a heavy duty suspension, body hugging seats and a really slick 6 speed manual tranny. It’s as much fun to drive as the VW GTI and AVERAGES 39+ mpg city and highway combined, plus it will give me 50+ mpg on the highway (if I keep the speed down, which is hard to do because it just so damn much fun to drive fast!). Nothing in the hybrid class of cars remotely comes close to the “smiles per gallon” investment that I get from being behind the wheel of the Golf TDI. As the commercial says; “In life, there are passengers and then there are drivers”. Which do you want to be?
TDI or combo of TDI Hybrid
Jetta TDI is a hands down winner over any hybrid. My hx of VW Diesels: 81 rabbit pickup, 85 golf, 01 Beetle TDI, 02 Jetta TDI, 05 Beetle TDI, and a 2010 Jetta TDI. The older generation TDI’s got better MPG, sometimes averaging 55mpg on the hwy but my new Jetta rides and drives like a Mercedes/BMW but without the high price. Hybrids require expensive battery changes but Diesels go and go and go. Wish they would bring over some of the smaller VW TDI’s that can get over 60 mpg from Europe.
Our third VW diesel is a 2010 Jetta TDI – very smooth, lots of torque, very good mileage. The first was a 1978 Rabbit – every time I started it the radio tuning knobs vibrated off. It was handed down to the children and lasted until 1986.
I can’t figure why we shouldn’t be looking for a hybrid TDI. Take the most efficient diesel burner and combine it with a regenerative braking and energy-management system. Could it achieve 60mpg and still have respectable performance? Wrap it in a sleek, stylish, current body with quality build, finish, dynamics, and duarability. Call me a customer.
I agree with the pro diesel posts. I owned a 02 Jetta wgn TDI, and currently have an 05 Passat wagon TDI, and 09 Jetta wgn TDI. Its a shame that the Asian manufacturers have abandoned diesel plans (except Mazda, I drove an 84 Mercury Topaz diesel in high school and college). Hyrbids drive like an econo box. A diesel drive like a normal car. Im tempted to get a Touareg TDI with the 8 speed auto and 450 lbs diet, it gets 20/29mpg which beats the old V8 which got around 15 on average, at best.
Hybrid technology is great for small cars to improve mileage, not performance, or 0 to 60 times. Thats why the Prius has been so successful. I still chuckle when people talk about HP and 0 to 60 times when researching a vehicle.
I really want a diesel BMW wagon, Audi wagon or Q5, or a Forester.
We own a ’06 Civic Hybrid and a ’10 TDI Jetta Sportwagon. At each purchasing event, we chose cars that would allow us the opportunity to do the same things we normally do, but use as little fuel as possible. The TDI has superior milage and a vastly superior driving experience compared with the golf cart like Civic. My wife loves the Civic and I love my TDI. Given roughly equal mileage figures, differing dynamics, and the enormous weight penalty of the extra ‘power plant’ and battery in the hybrid- I’d likely never choose a hybrid over a diesel. Both cars have the same goals, but the Jetta TDI gets there in a much more entertaining way. Bring more diesels! Honda has incredible diesel engines, but they are all across the pond.
Late to comment but I found out that I was quoted and felt the need to add my two cents. VW has found a niche audience with their cars. And Honda could very well give VW the competition that hasn’t been there. Mercedes is a whole different market due to price point. Just to point out them out. I think Honda could beat them with price and match in build quality. I’m all for competition. Bring it on.
Jetta TDI every time,Power,torque and MPG
Diesel is the way to go, now if VW would only put a diesel on the Passat, I’d get one in no time flat!
Always keep in mind, that Diesel is basically the same as Heating-Oil! The more Diesel-Vehicles are running on the roads, the more the prices for Heating-Oil will climb long-term. A Jetta TDi won’t warm up your apartment in Winter and Diesel is NOT reducing the dependency of crude oil for industrialized nations. Small displacement turbo-charged gasoline-engines in the meanwhile achieve similar fuel-efficiency like Diesels. That’s my personal experience after enjoying an Opel Corsa GSi (1.6 Turbo @150 HP) as a loaner. 29.4 mpg AVERAGE are a decent mileage for a relatively roomy racer like that. Best regards from Germany.
Well douse me in B10 and call me a diesel-lover, as my long commute — which occurs mostly on highways — makes me vote for the TDI.Here’s hoping I can order a diesel-burning wagon form of this new Jetta in the years to come…
having driven several hybrids and the last-generation Jetta TDI, I’ve gotta go Jetta TDI. The driving experience is superior to any hybrid I’ve driven. If VW made a TDI hybrid though, I might give in for the astounding fuel economy.
TDI. Eventually, As battery tech improves and costs come down, we’ll see diesel/electric hybrids. Hopefully by then the hybrid tech won’t suck the driving enjoyment out like it seems to right now.
Hear hear ezalg! In a trip from the Twin Cities to Grand Marais, MN in ’06 I drove my 2000 Jetta TDI and achieved an ACTUAL 57mpg on the trip up, thats almost Hybrid territory…If I ever bought a VW again, it would absolutely be a TDI.
Jetta TDI all the way, unless the hybrid is a TDI too!!