Comparison Tests
Why compare four Jettas? Simple: The addition of a hybrid model to the lineup gives Volkswagen’s compact sedan one of the most-wide-ranging lists of propulsion choices in the business. Even prior to the gasoline-electric joining the convoy, the car already offered two naturally aspirated gasoline engines, one turbocharged gasoline engine, and a fuel-thrifty turbo-diesel. There’s no pure electric version, natural-gas burner, or plug-in hybrid—yet—but the array is nevertheless impressively comprehensive.
Not only does this collection of Jettas provide an exceptional range of choices, but it also provides an opportunity to compare and contrast essentially the entire propulsion spectrum in one model. (We previously conducted a similar test involving diesel and hybrid VW Touaregs.) In addition to standard performance data, we got the chance to balance cost of ownership—purchase price, fuel-economy ratings, operating cost—against intangibles like driving enjoyment and ecoconsciousness.
We used our regular comparison-test format: instrumented testing plus road driving. As you might expect, this produced identical numbers in several of the scoring categories. This is not surprising, given that the cars are themselves identical in many ways, including chassis and body dimensions, sheetmetal (with minor trim distinctions), and interior volume. Still, there are differences, with some related to engine choice—acceleration and fuel consumption, for example—and others related to a particular model’s mission, such as suspension tuning and tires.
We tried to keep the comparative elements as uniform as possible, which dictated automatic transmissions, since that’s the only choice with the latest Jetta, the hybrid. Unfortunately, Volkswagen couldn’t provide a GLI so equipped, so we made do with a manual version. But all four cars were generally well equipped. Also, we thought testing just one of the naturally aspirated Jettas would be sufficient and omitted the base 2.0-liter version.
Aside from a cruise down Detroit’s famous Woodward Avenue, our test route was a little light on the urban driving that typically favors hybrids. But since this particular hybrid’s EPA mpg strong suit is on the highway side of the ledger, that ended up being a nonissue. Most results were predictable, but there were some revelations, as well as some lessons that can be applied to making choices among other vehicle lines that have a range of propulsion systems.
