The Jetta has always been a driver's car, as far as compacts go. One has to admire the car's precise steering, slick 6-speed manual and sharp reflexes. It's not as engaging as a Mazda3, or at least the Jetta doesn't entice you to adopt a dynamic driving habit, but it definitely is a good long-distance cruiser.
Needs more new
Besides the new diesel engine, there's not much else that's changed for the 2009 Jetta. The trim levels have been reshuffled, but basically, the car looks and feels the same since the current-gen model arrived in Canada in 2005 as a 2006.
It's a personal issue, but I find the Jetta a little too conservative. Don't get me wrong; it's an elegant car with a high level of attention to detail, but it would've been nice to see the 2009 get some sort of minor restyling, at least so you get the feeling that you're buying a 'new' car.
What hasn't changed, and shouldn't, is the impression of solidity and rigorous fit and finish. The Jetta may cost more than some other compact sedans, but you get what you pay for. The doors close with a vault-like sensation, and the low-glare dashboard and door panels look good.
Crunching the numbers
There's a $2,300 difference between a Jetta 2.5 and a TDI. As I'm writing this, the price of regular unleaded and diesel is about the same, at roughly $1.40 a litre. Figure you'll save about 3 litres for every 100 km by opting for the diesel.
If you drive 25,000 km a year, you'll recuperate the price difference in about two years. Drive 50,000 km annually and the TDI engine will start working for you in a little over a year. Two things to keep in mind, though; the price of diesel fuel doesn't vary as much as regular gas, and as Auto123.com's online community reminded me, TDI models have a better resale value.
Competition
The Jetta TDI starts at $24,275, and this Comfortline test car carries a $26,775 invoice. For that extra dough you get, among other things, alloy wheels, heated front seats, a 6-CD/MP3 changer, a center armrest and leather-wrapped wheel and shift knob.
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| What hasn't changed, and shouldn't, is the impression of solidity and rigorous fit and finish. |
Needs more new
Besides the new diesel engine, there's not much else that's changed for the 2009 Jetta. The trim levels have been reshuffled, but basically, the car looks and feels the same since the current-gen model arrived in Canada in 2005 as a 2006.
It's a personal issue, but I find the Jetta a little too conservative. Don't get me wrong; it's an elegant car with a high level of attention to detail, but it would've been nice to see the 2009 get some sort of minor restyling, at least so you get the feeling that you're buying a 'new' car.
What hasn't changed, and shouldn't, is the impression of solidity and rigorous fit and finish. The Jetta may cost more than some other compact sedans, but you get what you pay for. The doors close with a vault-like sensation, and the low-glare dashboard and door panels look good.
Crunching the numbers
There's a $2,300 difference between a Jetta 2.5 and a TDI. As I'm writing this, the price of regular unleaded and diesel is about the same, at roughly $1.40 a litre. Figure you'll save about 3 litres for every 100 km by opting for the diesel.
If you drive 25,000 km a year, you'll recuperate the price difference in about two years. Drive 50,000 km annually and the TDI engine will start working for you in a little over a year. Two things to keep in mind, though; the price of diesel fuel doesn't vary as much as regular gas, and as Auto123.com's online community reminded me, TDI models have a better resale value.
Competition
The Jetta TDI starts at $24,275, and this Comfortline test car carries a $26,775 invoice. For that extra dough you get, among other things, alloy wheels, heated front seats, a 6-CD/MP3 changer, a center armrest and leather-wrapped wheel and shift knob.
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| If you drive 25,000 km a year, you'll recuperate the price difference in about two years. |