By John Zaktansky
How far can you go on a tank of gas? Perhaps 250 miles? 350? 400?
Two weeks ago, I went 525 miles with just a 14.5-gallon tank.
Yes, the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI is an impressive car. It is the first station wagon that runs on diesel fuel. This transforms a car that is rated to go approximately 31 miles per gallon in highway driving (for the gas engine) into a vehicle that can range upwards of 47 miles per gallon on the highway.
For the cynics who point out that a gallon of diesel costs more than a gallon of gas, consider this. On average, the SportWagen with a diesel engine gets 41 miles per gallon. During the review week, the BP gas station on the strip in Shamokin Dam was selling diesel for $2.18 a gallon. That equates to spending $0.05 for each mile driven. Meanwhile, the vehicle's gas-drinking cousin averages 27 miles per gallon on the highway, and at $1.95 a gallon (at time of review), equals $0.07 per mile driven. Two cents a mile difference doesn't seem like much, until you start adding up the miles. For the 525 miles I drove the diesel SportWagen, I saved an estimated $10.50 over what the gas engine would have provided.
But the wagon provides much more than savings at the pump. The interior space is enormous, ranging from 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seats, and a whopping 66.9 cubic feet of cargo space when the back seats are folded flat.
This is all in a vehicle that looks sleek and sporty. This definitely is not your grandfather's station wagon. In fact, during the test week, I had several people ask me if the car was a Lexus product. One person thought it was an Audi. All were shocked when they noticed the VW on the front grille.
Adding to the sporty feel are a number of options: leather seats, a navigational system, Sirius Satellite radio and an impressive panoramic sunroof.
The sunroof, which runs the entire length of the SportWagen, was one of my favorite features. It was like driving a convertible that keeps you protected from the elements. It's the kind of car that could double as a cool tent -- in fact, my daugther and I laid down in the back of the car and had plenty of leg room while looking up through the large glass roof.
As with all family cars, safety ratings are critical, and the SportWagen does not disappoint.
The car rates four out of five stars in frontal safety and five out of five in side safety.
Overall, customer reviews echo praises for the SportWagen TDI. Using 71 total customer car reviews at Edmunds.com, ratings were developed.
The car received 9.4 out of 10 stars in overall, scoring 10-out-of-10 in performance, comfort, reliability and fun-to-drive.
The only glaring improvement suggested by customers and reviewers alike was an all-wheel drive option, which currently is not offered.
The bottom line is that the SportWagen TDI can take you, your family and your stuff farther, for less.
