2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI SportWagen

We were so impressed with the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI as the new clean diesel benchmark that we presented it with our Drivers’ Choice “Best of the Year” honors for 2009. But, while our initial road test concentrated on the Jetta TDI Sedan, all the accolades also apply to the Jetta TDI SportWagen. And, since this eco diesel is even more versatile and family friendly, we think it also deserves some time in the spotlight.

The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI SportWagen makes a good first impression, even before you drive it. While clearly a two-box design, it successfully follows the athletic and youthful appearance of the Jetta Sedan. While the SportWagen and the Sedan share everything forward of the windshield, spiffy details unique to the carryall include standard roof rails and around back, a hatch-top spoiler.

Like the TDI Sedan, the SportWagen meets the road on 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels, which are turned by VW’s newest 4-cylinder clean diesel; a 2.0-liter turbocharged 16-valve unit with common rail direct injection. Ratings are 140 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. Power hits the front-wheels through either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed Tiptronic DSG automatic.

Unlike larger European V6 clean diesels; this TDI needs no urea for injection - a fluid which requires periodic refill - in order to neutralize Nitrogen Oxide emissions.  Instead, VW’s system uses a NOx trap and particulate filter to contain harmful pollutants. Other high-tech advancements include a high pressure fuel pump that feeds Bosch Piezo-controlled injectors for more complete combustion. Plus, an oxygen catalyst that converts hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide into water vapor and carbon dioxide.

All of this technology results in low emissions and high Government Fuel Economy Ratings of 30 city/41 highway with a manual transmission, and 29 city/40 highway with the automatic on low-sulfur diesel fuel.  We achieved a hybrid-like 38.2 miles-per-gallon in real-world driving. This Jetta TDI has an Energy Impact Score of just 11.6 barrels of oil per year, and a small carbon footprint of 6.2 annual tons of CO2 emitted.

When we test drove the sedan last fall, it was out in the canyons of southern California - too far to drag it back to our Maryland test facility.  So when the SportWagen arrived at our studios this Spring, we were anxious to let our crew put it through a thorough track test. In the sprints, our wagon rolled from 0 to 60 in 8.9 seconds and completed the quarter-mile in 17 seconds at 83 miles-per-hour.  There was lots of torque coming off the line, but this Jetta is not a lightning-fast rev-er.  Nevertheless, power delivery is smooth and strong. 

The Jetta SportWagen is armed with the same MacPherson strut front, and rear multilink geometry as the sedan, and thus shares the same nimble driving feel. Our handling exercises revealed only a modicum of push front push.  Though body roll was apparent, it to was modest and actually added to the fun factor, and if you really get things going, the Electronic Stability Program is there to reel you back in. True, the suspension is tuned soft, but that allows for a very a compliant, comfortable, and quiet ride that’s perfect for daily family duties.

The well-equipped interior of the SportWagen is smart-looking, and defined by soft-touch materials and a clean design. But the difference between the sedan and wagon variants is obviously in the packaging - which starts by providing an extra inch of rear-seat headroom to the wagon. But more importantly, while the sedan offers a generous 16 cubic-foot trunk, the SportWagen delivers twice that at 32.8 cubic feet - and that’s with the rear 60/40 split seats up.  Fold them down and you get 66.9 cubic feet of cargo space.  That’s 10 cubic feet more than the VW Tiguan utility.

Seats are comfortable and supportive all the way around with height-adjusters and power recline up front. The Jetta SportWagen TDI also comes equipped with a full compliment of airbags, and a premium 10-speaker stereo system with in-dash 6-disc changer. For a touch of refinement, our tester touted an optional navigation system and sunroof.

The VW Jetta TDI SportWagen starts at $24,570 for the manual, and $25,670 for the automatic, and many TDI buyers will be eligible for a Federal Income Tax credit. Earlier this year we called the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI an efficient, spirited, passenger-friendly compact family car series. We just wanted to make sure that everyone knew we were talking about both the Sedan and the SportWagen. And, they’re not just for diesel fans. They may be green, but they’re also great!