Toyota Prius vs. Volkswagen Jetta TDI Comparison Test Video
4:14 min
The Toyota Prius vs Volkswagen Jetta TDI Comparison Test Video shows whether hybrid or diesel is the better choice for your wallet, the environment and for your daily drive.
Toyota Prius vs. Volkswagen Jetta TDI Comparison Test Video
Video
Toyota Prius vs. Volkswagen Jetta TDI Comparison Test Video
4:14 min
Apparently some people are looking to spend $30,000 on an uncomfortable economy car – we don’t advise it but the Toyota Prius has proven so popular that we can’t help but wonder if everyone else actually sees the Emperor fully clothed. For all the Prius’ shortcomings, its fuel economy is undeniable. 40 mpg averages are common and many owners have managed to push that number even higher. But what if you don’t have $30 grand to spend on fuel-efficient discomfort, but do care about fuel economy. That’s where the VW Jetta TDI comes in. EPA estimate 29 mpg city / 40 highway The Jetta TDI is sort of like a prep school rebel. It has a little attitude and isn’t afraid to chirp the tires every now and then. Yet it still manages to get good grades. Around town we got 30 mpg – and more than 40 mpg on the highway is possible. The Prius has become so synonymous with fuel efficiency that we fear many hypermilers might not even know about the diesel-powered Jetta. Both cars seat five passengers and both deliver plenty of miles per gallon. But only one car is actually rewarding beyond saving money at the Chevron station. Jetta slalom 65.1 mphNormally, running a fuel sipper through the slalom would seem pointless and, frankly, kind of mean, but not so with the Jetta TDI. While the car’s handling limits are somewhat low overall, it still manages a 65 mph run through the cones thanks in part to electric steering that provides good feedback. Jetta 0-60 8.9 secThe Jetta’s TDI’s torque-rich, turborcharged 2.0-liter diesel four-cylinder also helps it get from 0-60 in a decent 8.9 seconds – this despite the engine’s relatively poor throttle response. EPA estimate 48 mpg city / 45 highwayThere’s no question the Prius uses less fuel – we got a combined average of 39 miles per gallon – three MPG better than the Jetta. Prius 0-60 10.6 secBut you pay a price behind the wheel for not paying a price at the pump. The Prius provides a, well, “less than inspiring” driving experience. At the track, the car eventually gets to 60 mph but takes nearly 11 seconds to do so. And if you have fantasies about canyon carving in your Prius, think again. Razor-sharp handling is just not part of the Prius mystique. When talking dollars and cents, the Jetta TDI comes out on top too. Even though diesel fuel is more expensive than gasoline, the Jetta is more economical in the long run simply because it’s less expensive to purchase in the first place. Factor in a $1300 federal tax credit and a 2009 VW Jetta TDI Loyal Edition costs about 6 grand less to take home than a Prius Touring edition. That doesn’t mean the Jetta TDI feels cheap. The Loyal Edition includes such standard features as a sunroof, heated leatherette seats, rear AC vents and a decent sound system with an aux jack. The Prius also has decent number of luxury features, but you pay for them in the pricey Touring package. You get a navigation system, upgraded JBL stereo, a rear backup camera and Bluetooth. Even though there’s no name brand stereo or navigation system, the Jetta TDI’s interior is much more comfortable. The Prius feels narrow, the seats are uncomfortable and the driving position is awkward. However, the Prius’ hatchback configuration does make it a little more flexible than the Jetta. The Toyota Prius certainly has its charms and a sizeable fan base. But based on value, comfort and fun, the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI is the smarter choice and the car we’d choose over the current Toyota Prius.
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wytman says:
09:50 PM, 01/21/2010
First off - I don't own a Toyota Prius. I had a 2009 Prius as a rental car on a recent trip to Florida, and I disliked it. That said, the criticisms placed on it here are patently unfair.
It's not all that uncomfortable. I felt better behind the wheel of it than in a Mazda 6. I'm just talking comfort here, not drivability. I haven't driven a Jetta - so it may well be more comfortable, but classifying the Pruis as uncomfortable isn't necessarily fair. I'm 6', 230 lb by the way.
I drove the rental Prius as I normally drive my Mazda 6. I averaged 44.2 mpg driving around Orlando for a week, putting on about 270 miles. Edmunds tests of mileage are poor at best. Read a different website like MPGomatic.com. A car like a Prius when driven with a style like a traditional car will not deliver the mileage. But spend several days with it, and you learn to drive it more efficiently, and suddenly you pick up a bunch of mpg.
The video article completely fails to address one of the points it claims to - which is better for the environment. I saw mpg numbers discussed, and already criticized Edmunds obvious agressive methods. But I saw no mention of emissions, nor did I see any mention of the total carbon footprint of either vehicle. I don't know the answer either - I'm just saying Edmunds - this is false advertisement. Shame on you. It also hides what is likely a huge advantage for the Prius - it certainly has much lower emissions.
Allegedly, this video was made September 23, 2009. That's only about 4 months ago as I write this. The way this video starts off is just ridiculous - "apparently .... SOME people are wanted to spend $30,000 dollars on an uncomfortable economy car ...." - I'm not sure where Edmunds got their pricing from. I'll give you that the Jetta TDI is cheaper, but I can't see how it's $6k less. According to Edmunds.com OWN WEBSITE, the 2009 Prius Touring starts at $24,270. The TDI Loyal Edition starts at $22,440. I'm pretty good at math, doesn't look like $6 grand to me. Further, the MSRP of a fully loaded Prius is $27,864. Again, my brain says that looks like a lot less than $30k. And still further, the TMV is some $1900 less than MSRP. Perhaps Toyota dropped the MSRP by like $5 grand somewhere in the fall, but it sure doesn't look like it.
The Prius handles poorly if the thought is to push it - absolutely. But handling is largely irrelevant. I know people in the automotive press like to wax philosophic about canyon carving and avoidance maneuvers and driving the Nuremburgring. But the simple fact is, 90% or MORE of these cars are sold to people who don't live near a canyon, and further, 99% OR MORE are sold to urban/suburban dwellers who spend 99.999% of their time in stop and go traffic, driving in a straight line. Many cars are nothing more than a status symbol in this environment. Some guys by a Civic and cover it with tailfins. Some buy a BMW because they want to show they are successful. Some buy a Prius because they want to show they are environmentally concious. And so on.
The point is this - the value OF ANY CAR isn't pure dollars and cents. Any high school econ teacher can show you that buying a car - especially a new car - is about the WORST investment you can make with $20k or more in a product. As such, the most basic car is the minimum cost vehicle - and that's not a new Honda Civic. It's actually something used - probably old, and probably an econobox. ANYTHING more than that is additional cost that represents to aesthetic value to buyer. The Prius offers an AESTHETIC VALUE TO THE BUYER. I guarantee, a similar value is obtained by most people who buy a BMW. I assure Edmunds, contrary to your whimsicle canyon carving dreams, most BMW's spend all their time in the same BS traffic the Priuses do. The driver is most likely talking on his iPhone or texting on his Droid. I"ve driven a 3 series BMW 4 door, and it sucked if you ask me. Sure - it was responsive in handling, but I didn't find it more so than my Mazda 6. It was cramped and tiny inside - for me, much worse than a Prius. I wouldn't buy either car - but the 3 series costs at least $8k more, and has a TCO more like $15k more. Using the usual pure financial logic Edmunds uses against hybrids, BMW makes one of the worst cars on the road.
Don't get me wrong, I don't endorse the Prius. But Edmunds consistent dismissiveness of hybrids because in their minds the gas savings don't justify the increased cost - the no payback argument - alone is ridiculous. Drop the elitist attitude, and start writing reviews about attributes that really matter.