The Auto Writer

2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Green Car of the Year

A Diesel Does It

I’ve been proven wrong as the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI is the recipient of Green Car Journal’s 2009 Green Car of the Year award. I credit my long ago ownership of a ’78 Volkswagen Rabbit Diesel with coloring my ability to even consider that a diesel might win. Fortunately, diesel technology has come a long way — you can actually get out of the way of that semi bearing down upon you!

“The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI epitomizes what the Green Car of the Year honor is all about,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com. “It raises the bar significantly in environmental performance with its EPA estimated 41 mpg highway fuel economy, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and extremely low tailpipe emissions. This is all the more impressive when you consider the Jetta TDI is a clean diesel, achieving the kind of fuel economy offered by gasoline-electric hybrids but in a more affordable way.”

Speaking of affordable, the starting price of the Jetta TDI is $21,990, but if you’ve seen the price of diesel lately, you’ll need the price break. Currently, diesel fuel is retailing for as much as one dollar a gallon over regular gas, enough of a price differential to make me prefer a hybrid. Okay, sour chips on me — I lost.

Two Greenies Waiting For Me

One consolation out of this — two, actually — is that I will get to test drive a pair of green cars later today. Both the Honda FCX Clarity (fuel cell) and the Smart ForTwo have been made available to me, so I’ll get a first hand chance to drive at least two green cars today. I’ll take the consolation prize any time even if that means a brief ten minute jaunt around the Los Angeles Convention Center or nearby streets.