2015 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Thanks Be To Diesel

The renowned Volkswagen Jetta has been around since 1979, conquering North America where its colleague the Golf failed (since our neighbours to the south prefer sedans over hatchbacks). The Jetta is currently in its sixth generation, which arrived in Canada in 2010. For the 2015 model year, this German compact has been modified somewhat and is sporting a new look to go along with changes made to its equipment level and drivetrains.

From the ride to the engines, Volkswagen’s German approach sets its products apart in the compact segment. For a long time, Canadians wanting a small car with above-average fuel economy turned to the Jetta (and the Golf) TDI. Now that there are other options, both of the hybrid and diesel variety, does the Jetta still have what it takes to attract buyers?

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All in the details

While the Golf has been totally redesigned for 2015, the Jetta sedan has just been tweaked. The exterior features a new three-rod grille and headlights set with electroluminescent diodes—the kind that was all the rage five or six years ago. Today, however, the style isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. The tail end has also been updated and now resembles the Passat quite a bit. Overall, the 2015 Jetta’s look isn’t revolutionary, but it retains its very Germanic sobriety. My test car was painted Toffee Brown Metallic. The name isn’t terribly evocative, but this colour got its fair share of positive comments. It highlights the car’s lines without being overly flashy.

If you forget that this is a German car, the passenger compartment will remind you. The presentation is a tad austere and none too dynamic, but the quality of the materials is superior to that of a lot of Japanese and American competitors. The instrumentation is simple and easy to configure, important information is still prominently displayed and the controls on the wheel are well situated. If there’s one failing, it’s that the bottom of the steering wheel is flat. This modification would be appropriate in a race car, but here, it’s pointless and makes things uncomfortable when parking. The front seats are sufficiently supportive in turns and were comfortable during a long trip that lasted several hours. The Jetta is particularly generous to its passengers; legroom has been increased by a few centimetres and the rear bench is almost as soft as the front seats. The trunk is spacious and its opening is large, with the lid moving high out of the way.

The Americanized German

Comfort is a must with the Jetta TDI. After all, the diesel engine is all about highway driving. For 2015, Volkswagen is offering a new version of its legendary TDI—while its displacement remains the same (2 litres), this mill now features 150 horsepower (10 more). Moreover, it generates 236 lbs.-ft. of torque at 1,750 rpm. According to Volkswagen, fuel consumption can go as low as 5.5 litres per 100 km on the highway. During my test drive, I managed to squeeze 800 kilometres out of a 55-litre tank. There’s no doubt that in ideal conditions (warmer temperatures, exclusively highway driving at reasonable speeds), nearly 1,000 kilometres of range is possible. The Jetta TDI drives like a half-German, half-American sedan: the steering wheel is less incisive than that of the Golf, but that’s a good thing, since it’s designed to cover long distances smoothly. The soundproofing in the passenger compartment is noteworthy; unless you really put the pedal to the metal, the engine proves very quiet.

There’s something else that really impressed me in the Jetta TDI: as a fierce defender of the manual gearbox, at first I was disappointed that my test car wasn’t equipped with a clutch. However, the optional automatic on diesel versions is the DSG (gas-powered versions get a conventional automatic). I was preparing myself mentally to hate this fake manual, but it’s hard to find fault with the most recent generation of the DSG. This transmission shifts imperceptibly and quickly, it knows how to keep a low profile and its manual mode is one of the best on the market. It’s only small fault is that when the vehicle is cold, it can lag when you press the accelerator.

Show restraint

Volkswagen is announcing that the 2015 Jetta is the best ever made (but what else would they say), and they’re right. People who spend a lot of time on the road often choose this Volkswagen compact; even the basic version is comfortable and will let you go great distances without getting tired. The TDI versions add another layer, offering enough range to get you from Montreal to Pittsburgh non-stop. However, make sure you know what you want in terms of equipment; while the 2015 Jetta TDI starts at $23,890, you can add enough options to get one up to $33,000 before taxes.