DriveWays: Jetta TDI give some buyers pause

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Americans have mostly treated Rudolf Diesel like an unwanted relative. Many still think he's unkempt, smelly and noisy, so they don't want to spend any time with him.
Rudolf was the Bavarian-born German engineer and inventor who invented the internal combustion engine that bears his name way back in 1892. Its main difference from a standard gasoline engine is that it uses heat from high compression instead of spark plugs to ignite the fuel-air mixture inside the cylinders.
In earlier times, diesel engines were indeed a pain, sometimes impossible to start in cold weather, loud and odoriferous. They burn oil similar to the stuff that heats homes, which is less refined and dirtier than gasoline.
However, they also have two solid advantages: better miles to the gallon and terrific low-end torque, or twisting force, which is a measure of sheer power. Those are the reasons that long-distance semi-trailer trucks usually are diesel powered.
Modern diesel engines have found a home in Europe where, because of their better mileage and expensive motor fuel caused by high taxes, they power about half of the automobiles and light trucks.
But Americans, spoiled by low gasoline prices, have not cottoned to diesels. That could change as more customers become familiar with modern diesel power as epitomized by the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI.
As of now, only four manufacturers, all German, offer diesel passenger cars in the United States: VW, its luxury division Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. And only VW has diesels in popular-priced cars like the Jetta.
The test car was a so-called Loyal Edition, which included as standard a list of equipment that otherwise might be optional.
Its $24,190 price tag covered stability and traction control, antilock brakes with brake assist, side air bags, side-curtain air bags, a motorized glass sunroof, air conditioning; automatic transmission, premium audio system with six-speed CD changer and Sirius-XM satellite radio, powered and heated outside mirrors, heated windshield washer nozzles, heated front seats, a trip computer, alloy wheels, leather-covered tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, and lighted vanity mirrors.
It made for a nice package that gave up nothing except perhaps leather upholstery. The seats were covered in perforated vinyl, which Volkswagen calls V-Tex or leatherette. It's as handsome as leather, and likely more sturdy, but inevitably stickier in hot weather and chillier in cold weather. However, the chill goes off quickly with the heated seats.
The Jetta TDI also has sun visors that slide on their support rods, which means they can be adjusted to block sun from the side no matter where the driver adjusts the seat.
Despite the attractive price, the TDI could give some buyers pause. It is about $2,000 more than the gasoline model, and diesel fuel still is higher priced. However, buyers may be eligible for a $1,300 federal tax credit.
Power comes from a 2-liter four-cylinder diesel engine that delivers 140 horsepower and 29/40 miles to the gallon on the government's city/highway cycle. As importantly, the engine puts out 236 pounds-feet of torque at 1750 revolutions per minute, which gives it strong acceleration off the line.
The tested six-speed automatic transmission that sends the power to the front wheels are well matched to the engine's torque characteristics and are a model of hesitation-free shifting. It has a manual-shift mode, but the automatic is so smooth it's doubtful that most drivers will bother with shifting.
The Jetta TDI's engine meets pollution emissions standards in all 50 states, and it does it without heroic measures. Other diesel engines, for example, use urea injection to meet 50-state standards. The urea has to be replenished from time to time, which adds a maintenance requirement.
But perhaps the best thing about the TDI in the Jetta is how unobtrusive it is. Unless you're paying close attention, you'd be hard-pressed to even know that an oil burner is lurking under the hood. Unlike in the old days when you had to wait for glow plugs to warm up before starting a diesel, the Jetta's starts instantly. In extremely cold weather, you might have to crank it a second time, but that's about it.
Once running, there's only the slightest diesel clatter to tickle your eardrums. Mostly, the Jetta TDI is a silent runner around town and on the highway.
The suspension system and steering deliver a decent ride and competent handling, with tactile feedback that adds up to what some aficionados affectionately refer to as a Germanic feel.
The driver's seat, which is power adjustable for rake, manually for reach and height, is supportive and comfortable except for the aforementioned vinyl upholstery, and even that isn't all that uncomfortable except in very hot weather.
Because the Jetta fits into the compact class, the back seat is tight on knee and headroom for all but those with tidy torsos. The center position, because of intrusions from the front console and a hump on the floor, should be reserved for small children or packages. Out back is the Jetta's traditional huge trunk, with a full 16 cubic feet of space.

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service. For more columns, go to scrippsnews.com)

DriveWays with JETTATDI-SPECS