My diesel Jetta Sportwagen gets an honest combined 40mpg. I can drive 580 miles on a tank. It accelerates like a banshee and tops out at a computer regulated 133 mph. (I’ve never had it over 80 as I bought it for its miserly fuel consumption and carrying capacity. I have a 2003 Marauder if I’m feeling sexually challenged.)
I like the Jetta Sporwagen and have looked at them before. They were on my list last time I bought and would have, had I found one optioned out like I wanted in a color combo that I liked. Found the other car on the list optioned out in a good color combo first, though. 2007 Subaru Legacy GT Limited wagon. Love the car. Gas mileage is OK considering the AWD and turbo, mid-upper 20’s highway, low 20’s around town. Premium gas, though.
The appeal of that Avalon is diesel-like mileage on regular unleaded, in a big comfortable car with a leather interior, nothing penalty box about it but Corolla economy. I like the things, have even grown accustomed to the front end, that “mouth” grille was a little off-putting at first but the rest of the vehicle is so nice that I’ve gotten over it. The interior is knockout, love the dash. Reminds me somehow of those early to mid-sixties Chryslers that had such well-designed and detailed dashboards and interiors. Would have to get the all-black interior though, for some reason I can’t get into the two-tone dash even if the contrast portion is leather.
Have you had it long enough to assess maintenance costs/hassles? I have a Passat (gas engine) and VW seems to be on the pricey side as far as maintenance goes.