Filed under: Car Buying, Sedans/Saloons, Green, Volkswagen
Volkswagen prices 2009 Jetta TDI from $21,990
Volkswagen revealed today that $21,990 will be the base price for its highly anticipated 2009 Jetta TDI, while the Sportwagen model will start at $23,590. This is extremely aggressive pricing on the part of Volkswagen that places the Jetta TDI in direct competition with the Toyota Prius, as eco-minded shoppers will surely cross-shop the two.
The TDI model will be the equivalent of the SE trim level for gas-powered Jettas. A 2009 Jetta SE 2.5L manual sedan starts at $19,990, which tells us that the high-tech, 50-state-compliant clean diesel engine is worth about a $2,000 premium. The Jetta TDI will, however, be available with either a manual or DSG transmission.
The EPA recently rated the 2009 Jetta TDI at 30 mpg city and 41 mpg highway, which were disappointing numbers for Volkswagen. It has since hired an independent, third-party certifier, AMCI, to ascertain what it refers to as the Jetta's "true fuel economy". AMCI came back with a better rating (surprise!) of 38 mpg city and 44 mpg highway. Whether or not you think it's fair for Volkswagen to go around the EPA in search of a higher fuel economy rating, we were just as surprised at how low the EPA numbers were. We're eager to get one in the Autoblog Garage ASAP for a review so we can test its "true fuel economy" for ourselves.
[Source: VW]
PRESS RELEASE
THE PEOPLE WANT BETTER FUEL ECONOMY WITH NO COMPROMISES
Volkswagen Jetta TDI starting at $21,990 and certified at 38/44 mpg
HERNDON, Va.-Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced pricing for their eagerly anticipated Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen starting at $21,990 and $23,590, respectively. Fuel efficiency, performance and convenience all come standard with the 50-state compliant Jetta sedan and SportWagen TDI, which meet the most stringent emissions standards in California and the world. Both models will be available this August.
"Our clean diesel vehicles offer consumers a true value with the fuel efficiency that drivers are looking for while providing power, utility and performance," said Mark Barnes, COO, Volkswagen of America, Inc. "The Jetta TDI's offer a no compromise alternative fuel driving experience."
While the Environmental Protection Agency estimates the Jetta TDI at an economical 29 mpg City and 40 mpg Highway, Volkswagen went a step further to show the true fuel economy of the Jetta TDI. Leading third-party certifier, AMCI, has 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.*
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.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Tom 5:01PM (6/18/2008)
We all know the EPA's numbers for fuel economy are crap anyway...might as well have it tested elsewhere and for ourselves as well
Reply
Sam 5:30PM (6/18/2008)
I've owned many cars over the years, one of them a diesel. The diesel was the only one that actually returned epa numbers, and often did better. From my experience, the mileage on gasoline engines suffered more with adverse conditions (heavy foot, weather), whereas with the diesel it always returned great mileage no matter how i treated it.
Disgruntled Goat 5:43PM (6/18/2008)
Whether or not you achieve what the EPA rating is, at least you know all cars are tested the same way. That way you know that if a Corolla is rated at 27/35 and the diesel Jetta is rated at 30/41 then the Jetta will likely get around 4.5 mpg better, more or less. That's why the EPA calls it an ESTIMATE.
And for the record, having an "independent, third party certifier" gen up some numbers "to show the true fuel economy of the Jetta TDI" is a major slimeball, pu*** move. Reading that in VW's press release almost made me vomit.
chewy 6:08PM (6/18/2008)
Going to a third party is the only way to get realistic mpg figures for diesels.
The EPA has a feature on its website where people can sumbit the fuel economy that they get. Diesel drivers are getting 18% more mpgs than what the EPA quotes. Obviously the EPA test has ZERO validity for diesels.
In fact, regular gas engines do better than the new EPA test by a little also. The new EPA procedures do work well for hybrids (less than 1% error for the Prius) But they fail with diesels.
MemphisNET 7:24PM (6/18/2008)
I always take the EPA numbers with a grain of salt... my 01 Neon 5speed obtains MUCH higher numbers, both city and highway, simply by driving the limit, and not hammering the gas every time I go.
Aprime 5:02PM (6/18/2008)
...
RAGE
It's 27 grand in Canada. -_-
At least we've had it longer.
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Erik Tomlinson 12:17PM (10/28/2008)
That's the 2006 model. The '09 will be cheaper ("Under 25000") and more powerful.
martin 5:05PM (6/18/2008)
thats decent pricing considering how crap the dollar is right now
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zamafir 6:59PM (6/18/2008)
Yup and VW is getting ready to introduce a tdi rabbit under $20,000 as they are realizing it's prudent to offer good mileage cars below that price point.
Torrent 7:33PM (6/18/2008)
+1
LVDave 9:36PM (6/18/2008)
@Zamafir
Do you have any proof that a diesel rabbit is coming and any idea when. I've been wanting to buy a new car, but don't want to settle on something only to have the perfect car available a year later.
zamafir 10:58PM (6/18/2008)
Proof? nah, just what the leads at the tdi training keep mentioning, i've emailed a friend at vw in germany and haven't received confirmation yet.
Throwback 5:08PM (6/18/2008)
VW TDIs generally do better than the EPA numbers. My SAAB 9-3 does as well.
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jdemonto 5:10PM (6/18/2008)
Thats a steal for a 2009 jetta tdi!! There are 2006's for more!
Jason
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HotRodzNKustoms 5:11PM (6/18/2008)
I've heard of people doing nearly 60mpg in TDI Golfs (in the US). But with the price of diesel at $5.50 a gallon at my local station $0.77 more than regular I think I'll have to pass now.
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Sam 5:21PM (6/18/2008)
if regular gas is 5.50, diesel would have to be around $7 a gallon before you consider giving up on it. Until then, you are still saving.
TheRedMonkey 5:32PM (6/18/2008)
And you can dump fry grease in there for it to run on.
Panzzer 5:01AM (6/19/2008)
A 44mpg TDI vs 35mpg Gasser at your fuel prices would save you approx $5/500miles.
Jared 5:55PM (6/18/2008)
"And you can dump fry grease in there for it to run on."
No, you can't. First off, the folks who do use waste cooking oil have to do a fair bit of chemistry before using it. Second, cooking oil gels long before freezing. So you have to have two tanks -- one for diesel and one for cooking oil. You have to start up the car with diesel and only switch over to the cooking oil once the car is up to running temperature. Similarly, you have to switch back to diesel a few minutes before shutting the car off.
Finally, while the cooking oil works with the old, non-turbocharged, low-pressure diesels, it won't work with the high-pressure diesel injection systems now in use.
So if you buy a new Jetta tdi, no, you can't pour waste french fry oil in the tank and drive it.
lawtrainee 12:04AM (6/19/2008)
dumping fried grease is not going to work. you need to heavily filter the stuff with some 10 micron filters. Otherwise expect breakdowns with grease.