Characteristics Jetta vs Prius people

I think people who drive Pri's are almost "cult" like in their desire to be more conscious of how their driving impacts their wallets first, and to a lesser extent the environment. Personally I want to feel like I can "have it all" without compromising safety, value, and space that I need in a vehicle. That's why I recently went from the liftback to the V. VW has the same situation with their TDI's and they should try to replicate it with their hybrid's, but so far I think they've missed the mark. Do you think they would have greater success if they were to create a TDI-Hybrid? THAT would capture my attention!

 

The comments beneath the article are interesting.

 

So why do I feel VW got percentages of Prius owners and then made up percentages for owners they wished to have?

 

It's a German thing.

 

What I have read is vw is not now targeting prius drivers. That seems to make more sense.

Think of it this way, there are very few prius people out looking for cars, but lots of people that want a more efficient car. VW is seeking world domination, that is to be selling more cars world wide than anyone else in 5 years. They understand that many do not want diesels, so they are working on hybrids also.

I don't find anything wrong or offensive about the jetta hybrid. VW has small market share, and its tough in a product line to have a diesel and a hybrid compete for the efficient customers. In that respect they are doing better than honda, but not as well as hyundai or ford. They could probably cut costs and perhaps even improve fuel economy by replacing the tiny turbo with a 2L atkinson of the same power. This would also require changing the gearing in the transmission for the change in torque, as well as a more powerful motor, but likely would have lower variable costs.

 

Can use the word Research to change the subject.

 

I had no problem getting high 40s-low 50s on the highway with the TDIs, but I've already exceeded that on the highway with the Prii, driving the same way I did with the diesels. The TDI owners just won't believe it.

 

I've got to say green car reports did a really bad job on those tests. For the jetta that should do better on the highway, they did mostly city, in the winter and shorter distances. The avalon they tested in near ideal conditions with their standard driving and went over 200 miles to get rid of any warm up penalty.



But there is the rub about the jetta. It is about the same price as the camry and fusion hybrids and same fuel economy (about 39mpg all 3 on fueleconomy.gov) but doesn't seem to give you as much car as these more popular vehicles. That's why last month it sold about 10% as many hybrids as both of those.

 

I get an honest 44 with sticky 215/45/17 and Scion wheels driving the same way I did on the 15's and was getting 51. The mpg decline is worth it for me. Comparing my Prius with sway bars, Teins, and 17's to a Jetta, the Prius is still more enjoyable to drive and the Jetta just screams reliability problems in a few years with an ICE, turbo, and hybrid setup. They had issues with their 1.8t and now they're adding batteries and electricity into the mix? Not to mention the SD dealers are selling TDI's for $22-23k vs. $26 for the hybrid. The tdi I test drove got better mpg than the hybrid but the salesman just said it was cause the hybrids need to break in before they get high MPG....

 

Everybody has their own definition of "good enough". The fuel economy I get is "good enough" for my liking.

 

yes ... I agree the tdi can do low 50's .... I even got a mid 50. But with the Prius, I can get over 25% higher :



Plus I avoid the cost difference between regular gas & diesel fuel. Plus regen braking easily kept our rotors & pads going over 100k miles & beyond. But ... i know ... I'm preaching to the quire.

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Well, a year ago I let go of my Prius. I had a 2008 with all the options. The leather driver's seat was so uncomfortable for me that at times I had to fidget and move as I drove. The car had 160,000 trouble free miles, my commute was one hour one way, I drive a little fast and still averaged 45 mpg. There were some things I did enjoy about the car but the driver's seat, the interior quality and lack of 'handling' were real issues for me. I went TDI. I have a 2012 Golf TDI, DSG/paddle shifters, 18"VW black khartoum wheels and I still have the utility of a hatchback. I have 40,000 trouble free miles, none of the problems that are constantly talked about on the TDI forums of cold weather issues, fuel filter issues, etc.. I don't get 45 mpg driving as fast as I do, but the car is so much more fun to drive, the interior is decidedly more refined than my Prius was, and it handles! One of my issues with the lack of handling with the Prius was avoiding 'things' on the highway. Sometimes, like last evening, wildlife appear in front of you and you try to swerve to avoid them, I don't think the Prius could have gracefully, or safely handled those and other safety situations at high speed on the highway. I feel that a VW can handle these situations much better. Basically I feel safer and have more fun in my VW. So, while I miss the enhanced mileage, I love my TDI, this engine is amazing and has a nice little hum on the highway......I am an admitted VW nut and would much rather a sporty vehicle. The Prius was just not my thing I guess. Did like the quite, electric operation at slower speed though, kind of like floating. So that's my Prius/VW comments for what they are worth. Oh, 'no' to the Jetta...just to boring/sedateno hatchback and space, just an empty back seat!

 

And your Jetta MPG is........................your input is not complete without that "minor" detail.

RAL

 

Golf, not Jetta.

 

All I can say, is 3+ years ago when I was looking at my automobile purchase of that time, I DID consider the Volkswagen TDI, along with Prius, Honda Fit, and other automobiles. But that's just me.

You can't blame automakers for doing so, and they NEED to do so, but I think a mistake Volkswagen is making is looking at "Data" and poll results, and fabricating a product they believe is desired based on that feedback.

It's sorta like Hollywood and big movies. They follow the formula, to bring you the movies that data tells them you want to see, therefore we constantly get the same remakes, the same formula, over and over and over.....and I think often the best product either from movie makers or automakers comes when they break from following the data inspired formula of creating what they think you already want, or will already buy.

Toyota broke that mold when they initially created The Prius...and 5 million Hybrids later they can say they have a hit. By analyzing polls, questionnaires, and feedback data on purchases and then creating the product will VW create a "Hit"? Maybe. But I think sometimes it hinders real creativity and you end up with a homogenized product designed to appeal to the largest possible group. IMO part of what has lead to the great success of Prius was the initial years where it's uniqueness did NOT appeal to everyone. It was something new, something that offered benefits that were different from other cars on the market, and it was initially an acquired taste. The real move to mainstream The Prius came as a result of it's earned success. VW is trying to do it the other way around. I'm not saying it doesn't work, but I am saying I think it is an approach that often limits real creativity in end product.

 

Kinda says it all.

Volkswagen: “We will improve quality” | CarAdvice

 

Which makes comparison nearly impossible. I got near 60mpg (something like 59.96mpg, damn it) in my Prius last tank, and I can assure you I wasn't getting that in early March.

It's their first generation of the hybrid. I hope they keep improving it.