Comments on: Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI Review

By: Diesel Economics: Sales Up 39% for First Half of 2011 - The Diesel Driver

Diesel Economics: Sales Up 39% for First Half of 2011 - The Diesel Driver — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 16:21:59 +0000

[...] saw several diesel-powered cars consistently outsell their gasoline equivalents, including the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI (82% diesel), Volkswagen Golf TDI (56%), and the Audi A3 TDI (54%). Strikingly, BMW 335d sales [...]

By: Chas 3

Chas 3 — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 12:47:16 +0000

Mine is a 2011 with a manual trans.
Drivers may stall this car on a test drive – it just takes some exposure to the nature of the drivetrain. Especially, if there is a load on the car (Full A/C) and load in the car (you, your sweetie, and the sales person). Slow turns in 2nd (once again, with a load) with an incline in front of you will reveal much turbo lag.
Beyond that, everything about this combo is a plus. Great power to merge and pass, plus a suspension that allows you to maintain momentum.
Picked up my folks from the airport in 100 degree weather – all the bags fit in the back and I think I still got 35mpg in mixed driving.

By: Brown

Brown — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 04:20:30 +0000

I have been putting my new TDI through its paces…what a great car. No complaints so far. I bought this this with the intention of having it a long time and I expect this bullet proof drive trail is going to do just that for us. The performance is really surprising for a diesel. You give it gas and it GOOOOES. Between this and a hybrid, there is no comparison in performance. They may still be a little better of fuel economy, but the balance between performance and economy is not even close.

By: Stefan

Stefan — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:40:40 +0000

I am looking to purchase one of these vehicles, and like a previous commenter I stalled on my test drive once in the manual (even though I currently drive 30k mi/yr on my manual Accord). Driving the car more than 2 miles and getting it into first gear wouldn’t be an issue at all anymore.

What most people seem to understand (the author included) is that you have to expect the low-end lack of power. The car makes up for a lack of power by incorporating a turbo, but turbos work off exhaust so you won’t have that power until/unless you are giving it ample “gas”.

I am more than willing to lose a bit of power for the better gas mileage and an engine that won’t die before I do.

By: Danny

Danny — Mon, 23 May 2011 08:46:21 +0000

I have a 2010 JSW TDI. It’s my first VW although I had driven a couple of rentals over the years and have to say, I will not be going back to a gasoline powered car. The reliabilty and fuel economy of the diesel are second to none. Ask the Europeans, they been using diesel powered cars for the last 40+ years.

By: Boh

Boh — Fri, 13 May 2011 20:28:38 +0000

recently pur. jetta tdi sport wagon 6 spd.dsg. transmission .This car is awesome.With fuel prices over 4.00 a gal.and mileage now hittng 40 plus 44 best so far and Im told will get better with more miles on it have just hit 3000 miles on it .This has been all round driving mostly town and country driving.This is 2nd diesel I had a 81 rabbit but this car has improved so much that everyone that has been it didn’t even believe it was a diesel till I told them.Truely a great car.as well as practical.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 14:44:47 +0000

I just bought the 2011 JSW TDI and I love it. I drive 60 miles a day to work and I can almost go 2 weeks before stopping at the pump. Tons of cargo space in this car. Any other car I looked at that got this kind of mileage was small and uncomfortable. This car is an amazing combination of style, space, and efficiency.

By: Paul Fondo

Paul Fondo — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 11:50:50 +0000

I just bought the 2011 JSW TDI
and I have to say I disagree with the article a bit.
I have always owned faster vehicles, and the acceleration in the 6 speed manual is fantastic. The torque in the diesel is great.
I am hooked for sure. Especially going from a 6000 pound Chevy truck that only got 15 mpg!!

By: Ryan

Ryan — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 16:03:24 +0000

Mark,

If you want paddle shifters all you have to do is add a Passat or GTI steering wheel with paddle shifters and have your ECU recoded. $350 thereabouts.

By: mark

mark — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 02:49:56 +0000

Have a 2011 jetta sportwagen tdi with dsg. Took awhile to get used to, but now mastered the quirks. It is a great transmission, and tried manual but the uptake was so soft my wife and I both stalled the vehicle twice on test drives (I had presently a manual audi which was great). Only downside for me is that living in Seattle will not produce the gas mileage others are getting. We go up and down hills, no flat land here! Expect to get average in city 28-30mpg, and normal hwy driving 37mph. Still everything is relevant, and other vehs including hybrids will not get advertised gas mileage either. I wanted the Audi A3 TDI, but with the same options was $7,000 more, and I could not justify the difference (yes, I understand Audi has paddleshifters and real leather seats). I have seen the option already to get paddleshift steering wheel conversion, and along with an ECU mapping upgrade from RocketChip (when they come out to NW again), this will be a true sportwagen! Great job, VW.