Official: 2009 VW Jetta Rated at 30/41 MPG

I'm looking forward to the car magazines' real-world mileage comparisons between this car and the hybrids.

— TurboSpyder (View Profile)

Posted on 5/23/2008 12:21:27 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

why does the prius get an EPA rating of 60 when it gets 45 but the TDI gets a 40 when my dad gets 52 and he drives uphill everyday to work?

The EPA is filled with echo nuts that have an agenda. I feel they want to keep us tied to Middle east oil and then blame it on Chevron when prices go up.

— IamEvilHomer (View Profile)

Posted on 5/23/2008 2:49:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

IamEvilHomer. that's because a non-hybrid car (more like non-toyota hybrid car) varies quite a bit depend on how you dirve it and where you drive it. you dad's TDI may get 52 mpg when there is no traffic, but when there is traffic like LA, his TDI will be lucky to get 30 mpg.
the most fuel consuming part is acceleration. maintaining the crusing speed (even uphill) doesn't take much effort. physics is your friend.

— ghosthunter (View Profile)

Posted on 5/23/2008 3:44:52 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

There are two variables used to calculate mileage - the miles you travel and the amount of gas you use. You get 0 mpg when you're using gas but not moving such as when you're sitting at a stop light. Put a start stop function on the new diesels and add brake energy regeneration like BMW does on their 1-series diesels in Europe and I don't think hybrids would have a chance of matching the mileage.

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicles/1series/5door/2007/allfacts/engine/4c_diesel.html

— TurboSpyder (View Profile)

Posted on 5/23/2008 4:48:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

40/60 was a very unrealistic estimate. 30/41...I expect in the real world to be a bit closer to 35/45.

— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 5/23/2008 1:16:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

If you want to put it in "perspective", why the Corvette? That car gets incredible mileage for the size and power of the engine and the performance. If you want to compare the Jetta to a car with poor mileage, there are many other better choices than a Corvette.

— Hachee2001 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/23/2008 1:43:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

And the cost of Diesel (fuel and engine option) may not be the better alternative :-P

Comparing to a car not even in the same class is retarded! Corvette...please...

— Porschinator (View Profile)

Posted on 5/23/2008 2:26:45 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

it that we the answer we would all be using it. Give me a gallon jug and a good rainstorm and I will drive to NY from LA

STOP

— IamEvilHomer (View Profile)

Posted on 5/23/2008 2:50:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

the *new* EPA ratings are more realistic than they used to be BUT -- I've had a 2G Prius and could average 52+ mpg easily. I now drive a Insight and have averged 72 mpg driving "normal" with speeds up to 70mph.

I think the actual Jetta MPG ratings will be a lot higher if you drive conservatively but right on if you're aggressive.

— bagwell (View Profile)

Posted on 5/23/2008 5:56:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

I never really trust the EPA as I've heard #'s of late-model tdis go higher than the epas est. measure.

— Htay7500 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/23/2008 7:22:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

The 2008 Prius does 48/45/46mpg. The Jetta can barely keep up on the highway, let alone the city.
When you look at the carbon footprint and barrels of oil used, the Prius clearly walks away with it.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm

If you look at the Camry-hybrid and Jetta TDI, they both get 34mpg combined. Kinda said considerng the Camry is bigger, has a larger engine and is still cleaner.

I like how the diesel advocates are discrediting the new EPA ratings because they show diesels actually suffer worse than hybrids.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/25/2008 5:22:42 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Put these cars in a real world test, and there is no way that a Camry Hybrid will be in the ball park with either the '06 Jetta TDI or the '09. The diesel got screwed again; plain and simple and the American people are being told a lie by the EPA! It is too obvious and the error is too big to be an honest error!

I drive an '06 Jetta TDI. The EPA (using 2008 figures) estimates that it gets only 34 (city/hwy combined), yet I have never gotten under 40 driving city/hwy; average 45 mpg and am sure I could come in pretty close to a Prius in a highway trip as I average 47 on the highway! I could blow away a Camry Hybrid on the highway--guaranteed. The '09 will be no different. They got screwed, because the car didn't come from a Toyota or GM plant, and because it doesn't use protected, hybrid technologies.

Of course diesel advocates are discrediting the new EPA ratings, because the new ratings, though they did tone down the exaggerations of hybrid cars, still go easy on pickups and SUVs; underestimate small cars which were already underestimated and are now even more underestimated; and grossly underestimate diesel cars, especially four cylinder, diesel cars. When they come in 10 mpg off, one must assume something is going on to affect consumer choices based on biased information.

— gregsfc (View Profile)

Posted on 5/31/2008 8:02:52 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1