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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Much More Mileage Than EPA Admits? (http://www.greencarreports.com/blog/1019256_volkswagen-jetta-tdi-much-more-mileage-than-epa-admits)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2009_VW_Jetta_TDI_Sportwagen.jpg John Voelcker - GreenCarReports - March 6th, 2009

Once again, how you drive makes all the difference. It sounds like hypermiling to me. -- Ed.

Volkswagen diesels have hard-core fans. One of them is our colleague (and "rabid diesel enthusiast") Colin Mathews, who was crazy enough to drive a 1982 Mercedes-Benz 300TD station wagon cross-country last fall--after converting it to run on biodiesel.

Recently he drove a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen, fitted with the TDI turbodiesel engine and a six-speed manual, into the Georgia mountains (up about 1800 feet and then back down again), and averaged 41 mpg.

His results confirm consistent reports from actual drivers that the EPA's official mileage numbers for the Jetta TDI (29 mpg city / 40 mpg highway for the automatic, 30 / 41 for the manual) are far too low.

On a 40-mile loop of flat highways, he actually logged 52.4 mpg. While he wasn't officially "hypermiling," he did stay 5 mph below the speed limit, accelerated gradually, and shifted at lower revs (1250 to 1500 rpm)--which, although counterintuitive, provided the most economical figures on the instant-mileage display.
...http://www.greencarreports.com/blog/1019256_volkswagen-jetta-tdi-much-more-mileage-than-epa-admits

Way to go VW! And best of all, it's available in a body style that most other manufacturers have abandoned in favor of SUV's and "cross overs" -- the small station wagon.

I agree 100% about the small wagon form - it is sorely missed.

I bet Richard Hammond would agree (link to hypermiling episode >>> Top Gear on BBC (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20092&highlight=jeremy) )

That wagon looks to be an excellent family vehicle.

Hey Mike, what do you think you could do with this instead of your Golf? ;)

I don't know about the knew diesel, but my 2006 Jetta TDI Sedan is worth almost 70 MPG at 50-60 MPH using nice on FAS P&G. I suspect the new TDI is even better, although some have said it is not as good.

At last year's TDI fest fuel economy run, I was able to pull out 67 MPG over 700 miles while carrying a 700 lb. fountain half of the way.

It would be interesting to see what a good diesel hypermiler could do with one of the 2009's.

If I were made of money, the vehicles my family would own would be:
- A TDI Jetta wagon as the family car.
- A Honda Insight II as my commuter car.

Although I'm disappointed by the output of this new overpowered TDI, I don't think it's as bad as the EPA numbers suggest. I suspect the new testing regime underrepresents the TDI's real world FE compared to other cars.

yeah they said because the new TDI's are heavier, more hp, and emissions equipment eats up mpg (particle filter regeneration), so breaking the 50 mpg is a miracle for the 09 TDI's while 06's and earlier breaking 50 is very common.

Then again you can't compare apples to oranges since the 09 bodystyle scored 5 stars for side and frontal impact.

It'll be interesting to see the 2010 golf TDI numbers, however, looking up info shows its only going to be 100 lbs less than the current 09 jetta , so I don't have much faith in improving its numbers.

While I think it's neat that it's getting "airplay", this article is wholly unremarkable.
Let's look at this statement:
If you drive very sensibly, you can beat the EPA's numbers.

Few people didn't know that, and NONE OF THEM follow this board.
Especially since the most recent changes by the EPA (further lowering the estimates given), all this article seems to do is confirm the fact that the EPA's numbers are based on somewhat foolish driving.

Am I wrong here?

Quite correct, Tom, IMHO.

Sean, I suspect would be a bit worse than my Golf. 50% more power and 300 more pounds is tough to overcome. The 1999-2003 TDI's were probably the ultimate ones for fuel economy. Emissions are a different story though and I'd happily give up a few mpg and move to the new engine to cut NOx and PM by 90%.

I suspect the 2.0 TDI fits somewhere between my car and Jud's. Maybe a bit better than his on the highway, but in the city the new TDI and his are probably closer.

Small Wagon ?

103" Wheelbase ..........

60 Cubic feet of cargo space !


That is not small - that is perfect family driver.

My 1996 Passat Wagon was same size as the new Jetta sport wagon - It has more cargo capacity than most SUV's. I owned it for 10 years and 190,000 miles.

Small Wagon ?

103" Wheelbase ..........

60 Cubic feet of cargo space !

That is not small - that is perfect family driver.

I think you would agree, the Jetta Sportwagon is smaller (and definitely more fuel efficient) than most vehicles that have similar carrying capacity and utility.

I would have to agree, the Sportwagon is just about the perfect family driver.