Most have heard that the state of California has the toughest vehicle emissions regulations in the world and automakers are frequently challenged to meet such stringent standards. The strict rules apply to all engine types whether its gasoline or diesel fuel. Auto manufacturers have really struggled the past few years with diesel motors passing California’s requirements and no manufacturer has come out with a light duty diesel vehicle in the last several years, but Volkswagen is changing that trend with their approved 2009 Jetta TDI. The Jetta is the first new diesel-powered car to pass the T2B5 standards in California.

VW Competitors

Some of the new 2009 VW Jetta TDI competitors are the Prius and Civic hybrids when consumers compare qualities such as size, price and fuel efficiency. The Civic gets upper 30’s mpg and Prius lower 40’s mpg and the new VW Jetta TDI has been tested in real world situations by an independent third party company and got 38 mpg city and 44 mpg highway. The Prius has slightly better fuel efficiency than the Civic and Jetta TDI, but consumers that are looking for attributes other than gas mileage will all notice the drivability and characteristics of the Jetta that are hard to compare.

East Coast VW Jetta TDI boasts a historically reliable diesel engine and the quality of the interior build and furnishings are considered among the best in the industry for its price point. The new Jetta also handles much better than its competitors.

Specs

The new Jetta is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 diesel motor that produces 140-hp and a whopping 236 lb-ft torque. The transmission choices are a six-speed manual and a popular DSG six-speed dual-clutch automatic. The DSG automatic is a robotically controlled manual that shifts fast and clean and takes full advantage of the torque by ideally matching the power curves. The DSG automatic also comes with a manual mode that allows the driver to manually shift themselves by simply tapping the handle up or down, all without having to push in a clutch.

Standard?

The Jetta comes standard with a 10-speaker, six-disc CD changer audio system complete with Sirius satellite radio, six airbags and a multifunction trip computer to help determine mpg.

Priced Well

The starting price for the new East Coast VW Jetta TDI is $23,740 but owners can qualify for a government issued tax credit of $1,300. Depending on how you drive, you could enjoy the savings from getting from 29 mpg to an astonishing 58.78 mpg!