Jetta TDI vs Hybrid on 1 Tank from Seattle to San Francisco

[producerjohn]

Hey Prius owners, I thought some of you might be interested in these videos that show a new Jetta TDI vs a Prius in a one tank from Seattle to San Francisco Challenge.

For the record, we think the Prius is a great car for all the right reasons. Maybe after seeing these videos, the Jetta TDI may be added to the list of great cars for the same reasons.
Thanks

[F8L]

The test was not well thought out and some of the quotes in the report were downright inaccurate. This is good for media publicity and propaganda but bad for quality journalism and for society. You can read about the whole list of complaints about the testing procedure in this thread: HERE



Then you can look at the actual amount of fuel used during the trip between the 2 cars. This is assuming the amount of fuel used was accurately recorded.. No gripe against the TDI as it does throw down great milage and the majority of us on PC would rather someone buy the TDI than buy an SUV or gas guzzler of similar nature (Dodge Magnums come to mind).

So, the TDI went 733 miles at 50.5mpg, using ~14.51 gallons of diesel. The Prius was running at 47mpg. Over the same 733 miles, it would have used 15.59 gallons.

Reported MPG:
'09 Jetta TDI: 50.5
Toyota Prius: 47

Gallons Used (for 733 miles):
'09 Jetta TDI: 14.51
Toyota Prius: 15.59

Crude Oil Consumed:
'09 Jetta TDI: 15.96 gal
Toyota Prius: 14.87 gal

Fuel Costs:
'09 Jetta TDI: $68.49 @ $4.72/gallon US average
Toyota Prius: $64.07 @ $4.11/gallon US average

CO2 Emitted:
'09 Jetta TDI: 146.37kg
Toyota Prius: 137.05kg

CO Emitted:
'09 Jetta TDI: 293.2g
Toyota Prius: 73.3g

NOx Emitted:
'09 Jetta TDI: 36.65g
Toyota Prius: 7.33g

NMOG Emitted:
'09 Jetta TDI: 8.796g
Toyota Prius: 6.597g

Even under the test conditions that most benefit the TDI, still looks like a clean win for the Prius to me.

Rob

[john1701a]

Besides the Jetta TDI having a much dirtier emission rating, the fact is that real-world data just doesn't stand up to Prius. Challenge all you want. But at the end of the day, it's ordinary owners that are making the difference with their genuine mix of driving conditions over the long-term.

48.0 MPG is my average after driving 102,188 miles over the past 4.75 years in Minnesota using E10 for fuel.

Show me the data!

.

[Tammy7287]

I think the Prius is tons of fun to drive. Obviously they hired someone from Auburn VW to drive it so of course they are going to knock it at every chance they get.

[john1701a]

The 2009 model allotment for the US is planned to be only 8,000.

Compare that to the 181,221 Prius and the over 16,000,000 other vehicles sold in the US last year for perspective.

.

[usbseawolf2000]

Originally Posted by producerjohn

...one tank...

You measured how far a tank of fuel take both cars.

Did you measure how much pollution each car emitted per tank?

Having both low emission and high fuel efficiency is the real solution. Achieving just one of them under certain condition and ignoring the emission just pollute (pun intended) your object.

[producerjohn]

Originally Posted by Tammy7287

I think the Prius is tons of fun to drive. Obviously they hired someone from Auburn VW to drive it so of course they are going to knock it at every chance they get.

Have you ever driven a new Jetta? TDI or otherwise? If you think the Toyota is fun, you really owe it to yourself to drive the VW. There really is no comparison to a Prius. I’m curious what kind of cars you’re used to driving as it seems that people who don’t like cars, really like the Prius. There are many valid arguments for the Prius as the superior automobile (I don’t agree with them, but they are still valid) to the Jetta, but “fun to drive” just isn’t one of them. I think that’s the real beauty of the Jetta TDI. It’s made for people who LIKE to drive and are enthusiasts about driving. The Prius is fun to drive like maybe a golf cart is, but not like a sport sedan.

[producerjohn]

Originally Posted by john1701a

The 2009 model allotment for the US is planned to be only 8,000.

Compare that to the 181,221 Prius and the over 16,000,000 other vehicles sold in the US last year for perspective.

.

You're right. VW will not import nearly enough of these for the demand. That is unless the orders continue to pile up like they are now.

[allemandeL3ft]

Originally Posted by producerjohn

Have you ever driven a new Jetta? TDI or otherwise? If you think the Toyota is fun, you really owe it to yourself to drive the VW. There really is no comparison to a Prius. I’m curious what kind of cars you’re used to driving as it seems that people who don’t like cars, really like the Prius. There are many valid arguments for the Prius as the superior automobile (I don’t agree with them, but they are still valid) to the Jetta, but “fun to drive” just isn’t one of them. I think that’s the real beauty of the Jetta TDI. It’s made for people who LIKE to drive and are enthusiasts about driving. The Prius is fun to drive like maybe a golf cart is, but not like a sport sedan.

It's not just fun, it's comfortable (up front). I drove one of the dealer models and it has a great height adjust. Too bad they're starving the U.S. I'd buy one now if there wasn't a huge shortage cost (dealer told me that it would be 30k to get one). BTW the back seat bites. The prius is luxurious in the back row in comparison.

[Tammy7287]

Originally Posted by producerjohn

Have you ever driven a new Jetta? TDI or otherwise? If you think the Toyota is fun, you really owe it to yourself to drive the VW. There really is no comparison to a Prius. I’m curious what kind of cars you’re used to driving as it seems that people who don’t like cars, really like the Prius. There are many valid arguments for the Prius as the superior automobile (I don’t agree with them, but they are still valid) to the Jetta, but “fun to drive” just isn’t one of them. I think that’s the real beauty of the Jetta TDI. It’s made for people who LIKE to drive and are enthusiasts about driving. The Prius is fun to drive like maybe a golf cart is, but not like a sport sedan.

I actually got rid of my Passat (which I bought from the Auburn VW) to get the Prius. The Passat was ok, but cost too much and didn't get good gas millage. I wouldn't go back to the Passat if anyone paid me.