Diesel Car of the Year: 2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI

Esquire ^ | 10/14/2010 | Sam Smith

[goorala]

Volkswagen sold its first diesel in America in 1977. A lot has changed in the last thirty-three years, but one thing remains: If you want a cheeky, refined fuel miser, you call on the people who gave us the Beetle. Whereas most inexpensive diesels feel like the rolling equivalent of sensible shoes, the 140-hp Volkswagen Golf TDI makes no bones about its sporting bent. A whopping 236 pound-feet of torque at 1,750 rpm means you'll rarely want for tire-chirping thrust, and a small, nimble frame lets you chase down sports cars in the curves. At 42 mpg, the V-dub makes the average hybrid look like a complicated answer to a very simple question.

[goorala]

Money line: At 42 mpg, the V-dub makes the average hybrid look like a complicated answer to a very simple question.

[Liberty Valance]

[ez]

Always wanted one but owner reviews are not always flattering.

[GonzoGOP]

At 42 mpg, the V-dub makes the average hybrid look like a complicated needlessly expensive answer to a very simple question.

VW Jetta TDI = 42 MPG $22,830
Chevy Volt = ?MPG (20 MPG after the first 40 miles) $41,000

Take the money you save and use it to buy gas, you are better off in the long run.

[Paladin2]

2004/5 TDI manual trans VW Jetta Station Wagons were rated at 47 Highway. They achieve >50mpg if driven lightly. Go like stink uphill in the mountains. No need to downshift on the highway to move through traffic.

Expensive to maintain though.

[Frantzie]

I sure hope Ford goes to a plug-in hybrid with their generation 3 technology supposedly ready soon.

80 to 120 mpg could be realistic. The way the dollar is tanking - $4 gallon gas is not unrealistic. Forget about any economic pickup too. The whoel energy thing now will be so FU that gas will go to $5 if we ever have an economy again.

The petroleum supply in the USA is all over the place- a lot on Federal land. The states need to take the land back from the Feds.

[Howudoing]

I would love to have one of those...... Or a new CC. My brother has a cc and I drool everytime I see it.

[reg45]

I would love to see VW put that TDI diesel in the CC chassis.

[goseminoles]

I love the GTI’s ever since the 80’s. I used to see them on two wheels on road tracks.

[oldplayer]

Just drove my 1999 Jetta TDI From Cushing, Oklahoma to Austin, Texas and back. 48.3 down to Austin and 48.1 on the way back. Used the A/C and ran along at 70mph the whole way.

It has 168,000 flawless miles on it. (Needs new rotors on the front brakes, though and the headlight lens have gone a bit cloudy.)

Oldplayer

[goseminoles]

” I drool everytime I see it.”

Me too.. :o)

[DJ MacWoW]

Hubby’s 97 Jetta TDI had 500,000 miles on it before it died. Hubby hopes to resurrect it. 45mpg.

[Pizzafool]

The very first time I saw a VW diesel was in 1982 — a coworker of mine had a VW Golf with a diesel engine. Riding in his car was a religious experience, i.e., you learned to pray really fast that you will survive the trip. This vehicle was LOUD, the entire car shook, and it could from 0 to 60 in about a month.

I contrast that with a test drive I had in a 2010 Jetta TDI and I was utterly amazed at how quiet, smooth and powerful the engine was. VW has most definitely improved their diesel engines over the past three decades. I wish that the US manufacturers would consider adding diesel engines to their product lines, assuming that their engines are on par with VW.

[MrPiper]

My Ford Focus/standard tranny.... hwy mpg=38mpg with the 10% ethanol crap gas.(better with real gas) Paid $11K new... nuff said.

Screw VW.......Hell, my Honda 750 Ace motorcycle gets 55mpg and my Kawasaki Concours ZG1000 gets 45mpg. (not to mention its so fast it will almost rip my helmet off if accelerating over 1/2 throttle)..............

[Howudoing]

Should I even ask what u are looking at while drooling???? ;)

[goseminoles]

“Should I even ask what u are looking at while drooling???? ;)”

I compact car with a tight suspension that rides soooo sweeettt...

[Howudoing]

Yeah they are pretty awesome!

[goseminoles]

LOL!! Gotta have a firm stick with no play.

[Howudoing]

I prefer a stick, handles a lot better and ur more in control!

[refermech]

What is a CC??