The 2010 Jetta Sportwagen is not as well known as the Toyota Prius. But the two vehicles have been compared. The Prius is the much talked about, industry-leading hybrid. The Jetta TDI is the increasingly popular and peppy diesel.
The Prius made many of 2010 Best-of-the-Year lists and even topped some of the compilations. But the Jetta and its surprising value and impressive gas mileage ratings weren’t too far behind. In short, the Prius revolutionized the hybrid industry in the United States and the Jetta may well do the same for clean-burning diesel engines.
Key Takeaways
- Test car: the Jetta SportWagen TDI, with a 2.0-liter, 140-horsepower diesel engine.
- The trip: about 500 miles in two days from Sacramento along highways 101 and state route 128 to Mendocino.
- Cargo: The Jetta has 18 more cubic feet of cargo space with the seats up than the Tiguan.
- 30 mpg city and 42 highway on the original EPA estimate, the figure Volkswagen gave for the DSG automatic; fueleconomy.gov now lists 29 and 37 with the DSG and 29 and 39 with the manual.
- Price: MSRP for the diesel is about $2,000 more than the gas version. It’s nearly recouped by a $1,300 clean-fuel rebate.
- Handling: The Jetta acts like it owns the road despite its understated appearance.
The Weekly Driver Test Drive
There’s no easy Northern California or San Francisco Bay Area connection to Mendocino. In either of the two major options to get to the picturesque coastal city, stretches of winding roads interrupt steady freeway driving. One route is more severe, but either journey has a reputation as unfriendly for car passengers. In other words, there’s a high rate of car sickness.
But the routes, including the our recent two-day getaway from Sacramento along highways 101 and state route 128 were void of bouts of nausea but provided an ideal driving scenario to test the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI diesel. Hilly, long winding roads, sharp turns, fog and bright sunlight were all part of the journey. We covered about 500 miles in two days, some open freeway, some gnarly, two-lane country roads, some city driving. If there’s a better way to test drive a vehicle, I unaware of it. And if there’s a better performing wagon and a better performing diesel, I’m unaware of it, too.
Interior
Here’s a surprise. The Jetta is a wagon, VW’s Tiguan is a compact SUV. The Jetta has 18 more cubic feet of cargo space with the seats up than the Tiguan.
The newly style interior console and side panels are straight-forward, but nothing fancy. The console has the “dimpled” appearance finish, a better-lasting approach than crack-prompting soft finishes.
There’s plenty of head and leg room for front and back-seat passengers and optional leatherette seats are stylish and complement the side paneling and carpet, like a nice pair of two-tone saddle shoes.
Exterior
A stylish wagon seems like an oxymoron. It’s not with the Jetta Sportwagen. Restyled for 2010 with a new front grill, Jetta SportWagen is a “station wagon” far removed from the box-like reputation of the wagon your grandfather or even father owned. It has round corners and a European look, with leanings more toward the sports car segment than crossover or SUV options.
Performance
For anyone still clinging to the notion that diesels “ping” their way along to their less-than-impressive acceleration to highway cruising speed, forget it. The Jetta SportWagen TDI diesel may use diesel fuel, but it’s difficult to otherwise distinguish it as a diesel. It can pull away from other vehicles in city and highway traffic and its 2.0-liter, 140-horsepower engine gives a larger impression. The diesel engine is audible when it starts, then settles into a quick rhythm.
The electro-mechanical power steering, front-wheel drive, independent front and rear suspension, anti-lock braking system and electronic stabilization program all work in perfect harmony. The Jetta acts like it owns the road despite its understated appearance.
Likes and Dislikes
Likes
Panoramic sunroof. It extends well into the roof area of the second seat and has several adjustment options.
Comfortable seats.
Masterful driving control.
Turn signal indicators mounted in side mirrors.
Seatbelt positioning and comfort.
MSRP for the diesel is about $2,000 more than the gas version. It’s nearly recouped by a $1,300 clean-fuel rebate.
Dislikes
Some inconvenience finding diesel fuel.
What Others Say: “The TDI’s spunky diesel engine and sport suspension up the fun factor, but also keeps things frugal with its stellar fuel-economy figures . . . The TDI’s price premium over gasoline-powered 2.5 models will take time to recuperate, though it should qualify for a tax credit.” Consumer Guide.com “For driving enthusiasts looking to trade gas money for feature content, the 2010 Volkswagen TDI is a solid choice.” Edmunds.com “With that $21,995 starting price, the 42 MPG highway fuel economy, sharp looks, seriously nice interior and a responsive chassis, this new Golf TDI makes more expensive cars look frivolous and direct rivals look behind the times.” Jalopnik.com
2010 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI Verdict
Sometimes Best of the Year lists make sense, sometimes they don’t. The Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI made nearly every list available: Green Car of the Year to World Car of the Year. With the average price of a new car in the United States nearly $30,000 and the Jetta fully loaded about $2,000 less, let’s add Best Value of the Year to the car’s honors. In short, there’s very little not to like about the Jetta.
Facts & Figures: 2010 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Price | $24,310 |
| As-Tested Price | $27,910 |
| Engine | 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 140 hp |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual or 6-speed DSG automatic (the review does not say which) |
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive |
| 0-60 mph | 8.2 seconds |
| Fuel Economy (original EPA estimate, as stated in the review) | 30 city / 42 highway mpg |
| Fuel Economy (EPA, current listing, DSG automatic) | 29 city / 37 highway / 32 combined mpg |
| Fuel Economy (EPA, current listing, manual) | 29 city / 39 highway / 32 combined mpg |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Warranty | Bumper to bumper 3 yr/36,000 mi; powertrain 5 yr/60,000 mi; corrosion 12 yr/unlimited; roadside assistance 3 yr/36,000 mi |
James Raia
A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
Why can't we get some of the other diesel vehicles to cross the pond? It seems that diesel is working for the Europeans, why not for us in the US?
Come on, guys. The Prius has a lot going for it along with other Toyota vehicles. What other make has a built-in no extra charge "crash test" when the "pedal sticks to the metal" or floor mats get stuck?
You can go "Bonzai" everyday. "You Ask For It, You Got It, Toyota". You, too, can be a "Kamakazi" pilot!
VW now has a mid-sized truck, the Amorak, but it will not be available in the U.S. It will however be available in just about everywhere else in the world. I’m no insider, but I think it’s because they could take a chunk out of current truck sales in the US. That and VW apparently says they would be charged extra tax on top of what it already pays for its cars to be imported to the country. I have 2010 VW JSW TDI and it’s exceeded everything I thought it could do.
The Jetta Sport-Wagen gives you a good feel. Its upscale design and the strong powerful turbocharged engine has a lot of customer appeal. It’s in small car lineup segment.