Jetta TDI vs Hybrid on 1 Tank from Seattle to San Francisco

Very interesting info, what is the 0-30MPh and 0-40MPH of these cars? Those are the speeds for around town, while 40-60 or 45-70 or so are more for merging onto the highway type speeds and also overtaking slow traffic on 2 lane freeways.

Also are the "normal" cars auto/DSG or manual?

I wonder what the new 2010 Prius will do, since the current one is getting "old" now.

 

John, that really was a silly thing to say on a Prius forum full of car enthusiasts. In one post you put the whole group off side. You are an intelligent man so this post took me by surprise.

 

great information!!....and it does agree with my earlier post when i related by experiences on a recent trip up the Oregon Coast, the Pri has more than enough passing power for me

 

First off, I think this WV TDI should be applauded as another great option to save fuel. Dealing with Toyota to get my Prius wasn’t exactly the greatest experience of my life, and when it’s time to get a new car, I’m certainly open to other options. I did my research and felt the Prius was the best car for the money at the time. That may change in the future, who knows …

That said …

#1. The Jetta is considered a compact car, while the Prius is a midsized, so you’re already comparing apples and oranges as far as comfort and value as a family car is concerned.

#2. The base model price of a Jetta is higher, and the gas will cost you about $1 more a gallon.

#3. A similar test was done by Edmunds, and the Jetta did come out on top on the “backroad roads” and “Highway” portions of the test, by about 1 MPG. But the Prius killed the Jetta in city driving by 20 MPG.

#2 and #3 is enough to see that the Jetta is going to cost you much more in fuel. Even if you just drive on the highway, the cost of diesel is going to offset that 1MPG advantage.

The biggest problem with the Jetta is that it’s going to sit there and burn gas while you’re idleing at a stop light. It’s hard to believe that in 2008, that is still the standard. When I’m sitting in traffic, on US 19 in Pinellas County, Florida, looking at all the cars sitting there idling around me, I’m in awe of the all the gas being wasted. It simply amazes me.

Now, put an extra battery and an electric motor in a TDI, and it sounds like you might have the best car on market. I’d go bigger than the Jetta though. Compact cars are a turn off to a lot of people.

You came here to get a critique one your video, I assume, and you’re getting one. I’m sure you expected to be nit-picked and get a different opinion.

 

All good points (as are the others in your post) and I agree. I too think the Jetta has its merits and it is a fun car to drive also, but yep the TDI could have been so much better. But then so could many others.

As for the dealership experience, I have to say other then resigning myself to paying MSRP for a car for the first time in my life, my dealership experience here in OH was probably the easiest, least aggravating, that I have ever experienced. Fastest F&I experience I've ever had and there was never a hard attempt to upsell. They asked if we were interested in extended warranty, but did not press at all when we declined.

But back to the Jetta, at least these kind of car developments are fostering a change in mindset both with manufacturers and consumers. That can never be bad.

 

Diesel fule is MUCH more expensive, the vw pollutes much more, it doesn't have a HATCHBACK and there's less room. The vw is still obsolite engine-only design and runs constinuously. Bad. Prius rules!

 

I stopped at our VW dealer today to look at the TDI (can you get rid of the decal?) and there isn't a comparison. We own a VW Beetle convertible -- a blast to drive! We still have our '90 T-Bird SC -- quick and fun! A Supercrew F-150 -- also "fun" to drive, but it sits in the garage a lot these days. We have owned the Prius for a short time, but it is the first vehicle we get in to go anywhere. I don't believe this to be related to the fact that it is the "new" vehicle. It is because it is comfortable, no one is cramped, and it is also fun to drive -- in its own way. 50+ mpg around town (75% of our driving) is the most important thing. Sitting at a stop light (we have plenty of those) with nothing coming out of the tailpipe - priceless! True room for 4 passengers and you can squeeze in a 5th if it's a shorter trip. The TDI back seat is just like the Beetle -- minimal. The video talks about a CD changer, etc. Last time I checked you could get these things on the Prius. The only thing you can't get is heated seats. When buying a car you need to look at the whole car and how it fits into your family and how it satisfies your needs. Mileage is not the only thing to think about!

My experience with the two dealerships (they sit next door to each other) was comparable. We may have had to wait for the Prius longer than we did the Dark Flint edition Beetle, but it was worth the wait.

 

You must be in the south part of the county. I don't sit on 19 much since they widened the part north of Gulf To Bay. I don't consider most of the driving around here "city driving". We might have some slowdowns on 60 but it's not like driving in NY or Boston.

While I'm not looking forward to that commute from Tampa tonight at least when I get home I'm on St Joseph Sound and not sitting like a rat in a cage in a high density population center that the lefties want to store people in. That 42 minute drive is worth leaving the city types behind.

 

SIZE:

For those that note that the Jetta SEDAN is smaller than a Prius: Meet the Jetta Sportwagon!



While the Jetta Sedan (91+16=107 cubic feet) is 5% smaller than the Prius(96+16+112), the Sport Wagon (92+33=125) is 12% bigger than the Prius and gets the same EPA rating as the sedan. (Which even the EPA admits that the new standard rates diesels 18% lower than actual mileage)

VEHICLE PLATFORM AGE:

Some note that the Jetta is "new" while the Prius is now 5 years old and about to be replaced in 2009. Again, this is not the case:

The 2009 Jetta is not new as it is based on VW's A5 chassis. The A5 chassis was introduced in Europe in 2003 and will be replaced by the A6 chassis for the 2009 model year. The A5 chassis was introduced in the US in 2006 and will continue for several more years. (The US only represents ~10% of VW's sales so we are slow to get new models.)

The 2.0L Common Rail TDI isn't even new. It was introduced in Europe for the 2007 model year. The diesel particulate filter isn't new either, it was also introduced several years ago for the EU market. What is new is the NOx catylist that allows the US model to pass CARB's emission regulations

Price of diesel vs gasoline:

Yes, currently diesel costs more than gasoline. However, diesel pricess fluctuate seasonally is comparison to gasoline. Normally in the summer diesel is less than regular and in the winter diesel is more than premium. For some reason this has not happened this year, as the global demand for diesel has remained high. (I expect is has something to so with China's demand as they rush to complete the massive public works for the Olympics and repair damage from the earthquake.) However, I'm not ready to declare this a trend based on one season. Here is the historical prices for diesel and gasoline. (US National Average)

Bottom Line, if you don't like the TDI don't buy one, but don't continue to spread misinformation either. (Yes, I know the producer guy started it buy two wrongs don't make a right, right? )

 

ok

i bigger car and the same mpg???

your saying that the prius is old and the 2009 USA jetta to..
but the 2009 USA jetta gets the NOx and therefor its newer again then the prius.

 

Interesting to see you posting this same crap over and over whilst showing your ignorance on the importance of high-density population centers on future sustainability. Way to go! Maybe you should stop dragging your knuckles and use them to pick up a book sometime.

 

I've driven and loved many VWs in my time. The current GTI is my favorite. The GLI is my favorite Jetta. The Prius is fun to drive, but not in the same way. It's definitely not a hot rod or sports car, but it is entertaining to drive for sure.

 

I just traded in the Prius for a 3 ear lease on an '08 GTI. It has a sunroof and outrageous performance. I've been getting bored with the Prius and Friday night coming across a long bridge with some wind I had the epiphany, the Prius doesn't save enough to be worth the lack of comfort and fun. The dealer gave me MSRP for the Prius becaue they also have a Yoyota dealership. I think we're at least 3 years away from high performance FE cars. The Prius will look pretty poor by then.

The GLI is nice but I wanted a hatch back.

Gas is at $3.53 a gallon now. I'm lucky I traded the Prius for MSRP before demand fell through the floor.

 

It's too bad we can't run a car on your anger and bitterness. What antidepressant are you on?

 

I'm not the one always posting the same political crap in all of my posts or creating posts with nothing but polically driven viewpoints.

*edited un-PC like comment*

 

Seriously, what antidepressant are you on?

 

They take ears now? Crazy German car companies...

 

I got the Van Gogh package

 

I do not belong to the pop-a-pill culture. I'm high on life. Since you never have anything of value to add to any discussion on this forum I'll have to add you to the ignore list like the other ignorant and antagonistic "members" of this forum.

 

Exactly!!! I also have owned many different(much higher priced vehicles) and still do, but find that my wife and I constantly fight to use the PRI. We would have bought a second one but are waiting on the new generation. It is amazing how, out of all the vehicles, the PRI is the one that a BOND seems to grow with. It is hard to explain .... but there nonetheless. Love our PRI !!