Jetta TDI Test: VW Jetta TDI vs. Hyundai Elantra Limited

In just two short months, the odometer on our long-term 2011 VW Jetta has already rolled past 5,000 miles. That's more than twice the national average for miles driven per month, and our goal is to continue racking them up until next April.
We recently had the opportunity to travel to Chattanooga, Tenn., a 120-mile drive from the AutoTrader HQ, to tour Volkswagen's new factory and get behind the wheel of the upcoming 2012 Volkswagen Passat. Since it was a short drive, it made sense to hop into our Jetta, rather than a jet. Interestingly enough, a 2011 Hyundai Elantra Limited arrived in our garage just before we left.
Now, there are a few things that are significant about the Elantra this year. It was totally reimagined for 2011, and Hyundai aimed to make it a major contender in the market. The Elantra is beautifully designed with swooping curves, large wheels and a gorgeous interior, and Hyundai has packed the car so full of technology and premium features that would feel right at home next to a Mercedes S-Class. Navigation, sunroof heated front and rear seats, automatic headlights  and a six-speed automatic transmission ? the Elantra follows the same "unexpectedly luxurious" mantra successfully implemented by the bigger Sonata and Genesis.
Plus the EPA rates the Elantra's gasoline engine at 40 miles per gallon on the highway. Wait ? 40 mpg? That's surprisingly close to the 42 mpg rating for our Jetta TDI. We think Olga wants to rumble.

Comparably Equipped, Mostly
When it comes to features, the Elantra wins, hands down. Sitting side by side, the Elantra Limited is similarly equipped at a lower price than the Volkswagen. Though there aren't many differences, the Hyundai comes with real, albeit somewhat stiff, leather seats instead of leatherette, automatic headlights and heated rear seats, all for just under $23,000. The Jetta costs around $26,000, but it has heavy, substantial feeling doors that swing and click closed in a way that only German cars do, while the Elantra's doors feel thin and hollow by comparison. Both cars come equipped with navigation, satellite radio and keyless ignition, so we push the start buttons and head north for the mountains.
German Driving Advantage
On the highway, both cars are smooth, comfortable rides, but each has its own special brand of road noise. The Jetta's dash is made of hard plastics, and in our short ownership so far, it's already developed a few minor creaks and rattles. Turning up the music drowns them out with ease, but given that our test Elantra had more miles on the odometer and lacked any rumblings from its soft-touch dash, we think it's worth mentioning. The Elantra isn't without fault, though, because its tiny 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine whines at high speeds. While the Jetta's diesel engine emitted only a low burble for the duration of the drive, the Elantra struggled to keep up at highway speeds, and its audible engine drone was distracting.
Probably the most noteworthy difference in the cars comes with the steering. With its beefy, weighted wheel and intuitive response, the Jetta feels planted at 75 mph. By comparison, the Elantra feels nervous at speed, and both of our drivers complained about the amount of work required keeping the Hyundai in place with its overly fussy electrically-assisted steering. The Jetta is the clear victor here.

Not Quite 40 MPG
Of course we were maintaining a brisk pace and driving uphill into the Appalachian Mountains, but neither car achieved its full fuel economy potential. The EPA rates the Elantra at 29 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway, while the Jetta comes in at 30 city/42 highway. During the course of this all-interstate drive, the Hyundai averaged a total of 35.1 mpg, while the Jetta made a competitive 38.4. Given that the price of diesel is typically costs 30 cents more than regular 87-octane gasoline, we can't conclusively name a fuel-sipping winner.
After almost 250 miles in each car, we think both the Volkswagen Jetta and the Hyundai Elantra make excellent companions for long commutes. The loaded Elantra is a value buy for the consumer most interested with getting premium-grade features in their economy ride. The Jetta TDI has the heart of an enthusiast's car, though, and while it may not have quite as many bells and whistles, it's certainly more fun to drive.

Stay tuned for our next Jetta TDI update, where we try to see which is cheaper: Diesel or jet fuel. One of our writers takes Olga to Maryland and back, and tries to do it for less than the cost of a round-trip flight.

2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan

Review:
Volkswagen previously priced itself above its intended market, but wants to regain the title of peoples' car with the all-new Jetta. At its very base S trim, the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta can be had for $15,995. But forget any tech features at that level--for the good stuff you need to move up to the SEL trim, a little pricier at $21,395.
Our Jetta SEL review car looked like a very good value, even at that price. For one, its navigation and Bluetooth phone systems are standard.
 In an effort to hone in on its core North American audience, Volkswagen has redesigned its highly successful Jetta sedan for the latest model year. This all-new Jetta has been tailored specifically for North America - and it boasts an expanded lineup compared with the model it replaced.
Boasting a design clearly inspired by VW's New Concept Coupe that debuted in early 2010 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the Jetta's design is very clearly derivative of VW's other current offerings.
As a result, the Jetta's wheelbase is now 2.76 inches longer than the outgoing model, while its length increases by 3.54 inches, putting the overall length of the sedan up to 182.6 inches. As a result, the interior is the roomiest ever offered on a Jetta. The sedan is a mere inch or two shorter than the popular fifth-generation Passat, which was sold between 1996 and 2005.
A key benefit of the extended wheelbase is a more comfortable layout of the five-seat rear seating area. Legroom is now a class-leading 38.1 inches, a 2.7-inch gain from the previous model.
Four trim levels (S, SE, SEL, TDI) will continue to be offered, although the base price has been dropped to $15,995 for the entry-level S model.
The base Jetta boasts ESC, ABS and six airbags for safety, along with tire pressure monitoring, remote keyless entry, outdoor temperature display and daytime running lights. Inside passengers will enjoy a pollen filter, power locks, two cupholders, A/C, AM/FM radio with CD capability with an auxiliary input.
Upgrading to the SE trim will add a 2.5-liter engine, 16-inch wheels, V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces, body-colored side mirrors with integrated turn signals, a chrome interior package that accents the rotary light switch, bezels for air nozzles, HVAC controls, parking brake and steering wheel emblem.
The front center console includes a storage box and two cupholders, as well as a rear center armrest with two cupholders. Cruise control, a lockable and illuminated glove box, front reading lamps, illuminated vanity mirrors and floor mats round out the standard features for this trim level.
Available as options, one can add the Convenience package for an extra $1,350, which adds a leather multifunction steering wheel, leather gearshift grip and leather parking brake cover, along with upgraded 16-inch alloy wheels and two additional interior speakers.
Also added is Media Device Interface (MDI) with iPod connectivity, Sirius satellite radio, Bluetooth and heated seats and windshield nozzles. A sunroof can also be added for an extra $1,250.
Next in the trim line hierarchy is the SEL, starting at $21,395, and including everything listed in the SE plus Convenience package, in addition to fog lamps, chrome accents on the radiator grille, chrome trim around the windows, machine-polished 17-inch alloy wheels and rear disc brakes.
Also included is keyless access and push-button start, along with driver's seat lumbar adjustment, interior metal-look accept pieces and a trip computer.
SEL can also be had with the Sport Package, which brings the price to $22,995, and adds a sport-tuned suspension, sport-bolstered seats, aluminum pedals and restyled door sills.
The range-topping TDI starts at $22,995, includes everything found on the SE with Convenience plus sunroof, along with a trip computer, rear disc brakes and 16-inch wheels.
TDI with Nav tacks on an additional $1,200, and adds navigation, fog lamps, chrome exterior accents and keyless access with push-button start.
The latest Jetta also sees the return of Volkswagen's 115-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder powertrain as its base engine, while the previously standard 170 horsepower 2.5-liter five-cylinder will be on the options list. (The GLI trim level is listed as its own vehicle on LeftLaneNews).
The more performance-oriented Jettas come with the 2.0-liter turbocharged TSI four-cylinder, good for 200 horsepower, while the ever-popular 2.0-liter TDI diesel four-cylinder is available as its own trim level.
The TDI outputs 140 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque, and has been modified to meet the latest emissions standards in the U.S., but VW says it will average around 34 mpg in mixed driving and 42 mpg on the highway. Five-speed manual transmissions will be standard across the line (Except for the TDI, which receives a six-speed manual), while six-speed automatics will be optional. The TSI and TDI engines get VW's advanced six-speed DSG automatic.
The all-new Jetta includes several features designed to enhance driver and passenger safety including electronic stability control to help prevent drivers from losing control of their cars and tire pressure monitoring. The Intelligent Crash Response System (ICRS) is unique in its class. ICRS turns off the fuel pump, activates the hazard lights and unlocks the doors in the case of an airbag deployment.

 

2011 Volkswagen Jetta

 

 

2011 Volkswagen Jetta — Review

The 2011 Jetta has a dirt-cheap price tag to match hardware from Honda and Toyota, but has given up some of its “German-ness” in the process. Rougher material selections and a watered-down drive are part of the package of the concessions. Even so, it’s still a winner.

Pros:

 

Bottom Line:

• Attractive exterior design
• Longer wheelbase offers more interior room
• Low price makes for a tempting buy

Cons:

• Steering not as feelsome as last year’s model
• More hard plastic inside
• Softer handling to cater to American buyers
• After years of trying to get its compact sedan to dress the part, Volkswagen has finally managed to naturalize the Jetta. The German 4-door now wears a suit that's bound to strike a chord with the notoriously conservative American masses, and carries a price tag that car buyers will find much more appealing, thanks to a slew of cost-saving tricks. But those changes come with a price all their own.
  Model Lineup
  Volkswagen is offering the 2011 Jetta in four trim levels, from bare-bones to dressed-to-the-nines. Eventually a fifth model, the performance-oriented GLI, will join them on showroom floors. Things get started at S trim, featuring 15-inch wheels and not much else; cloth seats and soul-crushing hard plastic dominate the cabin. Fortunately, stepping up to SE trim takes care of a few of those issues. Stylish 16-inch rollers take the place of the smaller 15-inch wheels, and leatherette seating surfaces show up inside. The interior also receives a small dress-up package in the form of chrome accents around the climate-control knobs.
  You can also adorn your Jetta SE with a convenience package that throws in amenities such as a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a more civilized 6-speaker sound system, though we would be just as likely to opt for the SEL trim. This next step up throws in all of the goodies found in the SE convenience package, but adds hardware such as a fog lights, 17-inch wheels, keyless entry and a navigation system.
  At the top of the lineup is the TDI. It's basically a Jetta SE with disc brakes on all four corners and an uberefficient diesel engine.
  Under the Hood
  Volkswagen has added a new engine to the Jetta lineup for next year. Starting in 2011, you can get your sedan with a 2.0-liter 115-horsepower 4-cylinder engine that produces around 125 lb-ft of torque. The new engine is part of the company's plan to lower the price tag, and it comes bolted to either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic. While the Environmental Protection Agency hasn't issued fuel-economy figures for the new engine yet, Volkswagen promises somewhere around 24 mpg city/34 mpg highway.
  If the little 2.0-liter doesn't serve up quite enough punch for you, Volkswagen is also offering the same 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine found in the previous generation. For next year, buyers will have the choice of the same two gearboxes offered with the 4-cylinder engine. Either way, they can expect the 2.5-liter to churn out a more respectable 170 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, all while returning just 1 mpg worse on the highway.
  The company's endearing 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder diesel engine will also make a return for 2011. It produces 140 horsepower and a ridiculous 236 lb-ft of torque, making it feel significantly larger than its diminutive displacement would suggest. Expect to see around 30 mpg city/42 mpg highway when equipped with either the 6-speed manual or 6-speed direct-shift gearbox.
  As we mentioned above, the GLI will likely debut later in the year, featuring the Jetta engine that we've come to love, the 2.0 TFSI.
  Inner Space
  Volkswagen has proudly proclaimed that the 2011 Jetta was designed to be more in line with American tastes; the company stretched the sedan's wheelbase by 3 inches to add interior room front and rear. Full-grown adults can now comfortably camp out in the back seat without having to fold their shins or collapse a few vertebrae. That doesn't mean things are all sugar and spice in the cabin.
  To begin with, the dash has lost the nice soft-touch material of the last generation, in favor of hard plastic in S trim. Why? Volkswagen is looking to do away with the dreaded "European car premium" that U.S. consumers have to pay for its cars. And the cost of this lower price tag is a less-than-savory interior. In this case, the cabin is borderline cheap. The new switches and knobs aren't what we've come to expect from Volkswagen, either. Flipping through the climate controls, we couldn't help but pine for the weighty clicks of the old hardware.
  That said, plop your derrière in the leatherette-lined goodness of SEL trim and it's easy to forget about the cost-cutting measures. With the leather-wrapped steering wheel firmly in your palms and a comfy bucket seat beneath you, there's little to complain about inside. Throw in the extra legroom and it's easy to believe that some sacrifices may actually be worth the net savings.
  On the Road
  We were able to nab some time in the 2011 Jetta SEL, complete with the company's 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. In this guise, it's difficult to find fault with the drivetrain. Of course, there shouldn't be one. Volkswagen has had years to perfect this particular concoction, and as a result, you're rewarded with a powertrain that's almost perfect — almost. The 170-horsepower engine provides just enough low-end grunt to dispatch with foes in the right lane without too much heavy breathing. At the same time, torque steer is nonexistent. Despite the uniquely torquey feel of the 5-cylinder, zero to 60 mph shuffles by in 8.6 seconds — not exactly rocket-quick.
  Things have gone downhill somewhat on the handling front, though. In another effort to keep the cost down, Volkswagen opted for a torsion-beam rear suspension instead of an expensive, fully independent setup. Whereas the previous-generation car could be coaxed into being entertaining while carving through your favorite mountain passes, the 2011 model is more content to amble from point A to point B.
  Volkswagen also swapped the electric power-steering unit from 2010 for a hydraulic system — a move that typically yields greater steering feel. Only instead of getting more feedback from the helm, we're rewarded with much less. It feels electric, and for that matter, the previous car felt hydraulic. Of course, it's important to remember that Volkswagen didn't build this Jetta for enthusiasts. The company designed the car for average American buyers — a group that tends to be more concerned about the number of cupholders than steering feel.
  Right for You?
  For all of the bellyaching we've done about the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta sedan, the little car holds one massive trump card. It carries a starting price of $15,995 for S trim. That's nearly $2,000 less than the base 2010 version. Start checking off option boxes and the price will rise, however. The Jetta SE will hit your wallet for a much heftier $18,195, while SEL trim starts at $21,395. If you want that silky 6-speed automatic transmission, you'll have to shell out an additional $1,100.
  So, for whom did Volkswagen build the 2011 Jetta? Nearly everyone. The car has grown to be perfectly adept at herding small groups of people to work, school or the grocery store without having the cost-adding burden of performance hardware that most drivers wouldn't miss anyway. The 2011 Jetta is now a perfect alternative to your average Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla — for the first time in the car's history.
  (As part of an automaker-sponsored press event, Volkswagen provided MSN with travel and accommodations tofacilitate this report.)
  James Tate cut his teeth in the business as a race team crew member before moving to the editorial side asSenior Editor of Sport Compact Car, and his work has appeared in Popular Mechanics, Automobile, Motor Trendand European Car. When not writing, Tate is usually fantasizing about a vintage Porsche 911.