The former fuel efficiency champ in the Jetta lineup was the clean-diesel TDI model, which has its own passionate and longstanding fan base. The 140-hp 2.0-liter turbodiesel four puts out 236 lb-ft of torque, while almost matching the 2.5-liter gasoline five for quiet running and coming close to its straight-line performance. The TDI diesel knocks off a 0-to-60-mph time in 8.7 seconds, and drivers always enjoy the strong and steady surge of torque that delivers that acceleration.
The TDI comes standard with a notchy but precise six-speed manual, but for drivers who don't want to shift, it offers a version of VW's dual-clutch automated manual transmission that knocks out shifts faster than some conventional automatics. It's perfectly suited to the narrow power band of the low-revving diesel, and while it lacks the paddle shifters of the GLI, it delivers excellent fuel economy: 34 mpg combined (30 mpg city, 42 mpg highway).
It's not progress on all fronts, but with its new take on value, the Jetta sedan pitches itself squarely into a class of cars where its soft-pedaled style and its emphasis on core engineering actually make it stand out more. And, it appears, that buyers have noticed. The Jetta now sells better than it has in many years, and buyers don't seem to have noticed the loss of independent rear suspension or the downgraded interior materials. And if you're looking for a traditional station wagon, it's one of the few brands still offering one in this class.