Did you consider a Jetta TDI before going Prius?

[MarkM09]

I know there are a few old threads but anyone consider getting an 09 Jetta TDI instead of a 10 Prius? I've thought about it myself.

The good and the bad I've come up with are:

Good
Price is cheaper for equivalent options and you get a $1300 tax credit
Mileage is close (consumer reports says 33-48 the epa says 29-40)
Diesel is now cheaper than gas (20 cents difference right now)
You can get a sunroof for $1000 vs $3600
More sporty handling and acceleration
Free maintenance for 3 years (Yah I know the Prius probably won't need any)
No batteries to ever worry about (again, yah I know they've lasted many miles in cabs and such but hybrids are new to me)

Bad
VW reliability as far as electrical equipment
? Can't think of anything else?

Basically it looks like I could get a TDI for $2500-3000 less than a Prius II and have leather and a sunroof. The reliability questions are the only things holding me back.

[john1701a]

Originally Posted by MarkM09

Mileage is close (consumer reports says 33-48 the epa says 29-40)

I suggest you hunt down real-world data. What does Jetta TDI deliver for DSG owners?

47.7 MPG is my 2004 Prius average as of 117,952 miles.

2010 Prius will clearly deliver a higher MPG.

Then take a look at the emission rating. There's no contest. Prius wins by a landslide in the smog category.
.

[Paradox]

Never would consider a VW. I've known too many people with brand new VW's that have to keep taking them in, while under warranty, for small issues mainly electrical. Even though it's under warranty, it's still an inconvenience.

[MSantos]

Frankly, I could not own a TDI because my main goal is the lowest emissions possible. The other hybrid benefits are all consequences of my first choice.

However, I do know the newer TDI's have a great deal of FE potential and if fuel economy is all you want then the TDI will not disappoint. Its EPA rating is seriously underrated and in the hands of a good driver it will deliver fuel economy capable of putting to shame many heavier-footed and mindless hybrid drivers.
Yes, I put my money where my mouth is and I own all hybrid and nothing else... but since there aren't enough hybrids for everyone and to fit all tastes, we need good fuel efficient options for those who would otherwise buy a regular gas car. As a T2B5 car, the TDI is one of the best options, even with VW's spotty reliability and post sales service.

Instead of dissing the TDI's, I accepted a test challenge and gave them a shot.
Here's a review from the eyes of "all-hybrid" owner:

2009 Jetta TDI fuel economy review

Cheers;

MSantos

[DrOfWaves]

A Jetta Wagon was on my short list. The big negative was rear seat legroom for soon to be teenagers in addition to VW reliability from previous Golf experience.

I ended up ordering a Gen III Prius.

I sure like the TDI however....

[sluday]

No for the the Jetta TDI but yes for the new 2010 Golf TDI. Is it better looking and much better interior and technology. Right now diesel is a little cheaper than gas but that ends when it gets colder. Once the heating oil market picks up then diesel fuel prices go way up. Last year when gas prices were way up, Diesel cost almost $1 more than gas. This is the main thing that keeps me from getting a TDI.

My top 5 list for my next commuter car is....
1) 2010 Prius (way out front )
2) 2010 Honda Insight
3) 2009 Honda Civic
4) 2010 Golf TDI
5) 2009 Honda Fit

As long as inventory and prices are good then a 2010 Prius should be in my driveway this summer.

[Steve Cebu]

Yes my wife and I did consider the Sportwagen TDI but VW's are very unreliable. I know as I've owned a few of them and when the dealer said the timing belt had to be changed at 60,000 miles that was too low for such a big service. VW maintainance is very expensive!

[Tideland Prius]

Nope. Rear seat is tight and it's made in Mexico. Fit and finish is good though and feels upscale.

Moonroof for $1,000. The Prius' Moonroof is $1,800 and includes solar panels, SP ventilation system and remote A/C (the other $1,800 is for the navigation system). How much is the nav in the Jetta? Oh right... you can't get one.

[patsparks]

I just checked Toyota's Australian web site and I couldn't find a "Jetta" anywhere. Is the Toyota Jetta only available in the USA?

I wouldn't buy a car from another manufacturer, 15 years working on a wide range of cars has shown me that Toyotas need less repairs.

[donee]

Hi Mark...,

Diesel will be more expensive come winter, for a similar reason. Gas is expensive in the summer due to special formulation. Diesel is expensive in the winter also due to the special formulating. Although the purposes of the formulations are different (emissions versus gel temp), the effect is the same.

With the Prius you have no Turbo Charger to worry about. Turbo's seem to go bad at a much higher frequency than the Prius battery. And you still have to worry about the service life of the uber-complisanert Jetta transmission, in comparison to mechanically simple Prius transmission.

Metropolitan area driving of the Prius results in dramatically better fuel economy than the EPA. While rural driving results in dramatically better fuel economy for the TDI, than the EPA. Take your pick.