09 Jetta TDI 6-speed MT vs. 09 Prius-II Touring

But,but-
The VW TDI is still a SLOW car-16.5 1/4 mile-slower-probably a lot slower than a 4cyl Accord.
So I don't think you can call something that slow sporty.
And it is a VW- meaning you'll be on a 1st name basis with your service manager.

And the Prius gets 30% better FE-
So what is the point?
"Far Fig Noogen"??
Doesn't Toyota make a 2.4 liter Corolla??Buy that and Rice it-cheaper,faster, more reliable.

 

TDI for...well, pretty much everything. I don't pretend to be a fan of hybrids and their complexity. Diesels have unfortunately been saddled with more and more emissions regs which increases their complexity as well. But unlike most Americans, I like the punchy midrange torque of a diesel, the feel of its turbo spooling up, and even the sound, as my Dad's '79 Mercedes 300SD makes a fond childhood memory. Having a manual transmission is becoming, increasingly, a non-negotiable item for myself. I also have sat in both the Jetta and Prius of this generation, and the Prius' interior felt well below other vehicles in its price range. Prius' have this sort of hippie connotation as well that I am not fond of being associated with. Plus, I'm sorry, I still find the Prius to be, well, not a very good-looking vehicle.

Where does the Prius win? Long range reliability clearly beats the pants off of the VW, and unless you are pitting the Prius against the Jetta wagon, the Prius is also a bar-none winner in practicality. MPG has more potential, but for a "mild" hypermiler such as myself, I am not convinced that the TDi is that far behind yet.