  2013 Volkswagen Jetta TDI vs 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Diesel. Click image to enlarge |
Features & Value
The Jetta TDI Clean Diesel is available in two trim packages – Comfortline and Highline; for the diesel lump in either of the two trims, be prepared to shell out an additional $2,300 for the privilege.
In the Cruze’s case, the Clean Turbo Diesel model comes in only one trim package with a base MSRP of $24,945.
The Jetta TDI, meanwhile, starts at $23,990 with a six-speed manual transmission; you can only have an auto with the Cruze, so for the sake of argument, we’ll add that option to our base Jetta, bringing its MSRP to $25,390.
So, if you opt for the Chevy, you’re actually paying less for more hp and torque. So far, so good for the Cruze.
Our Jetta Highline TDI’s $27,290 base MSRP provides leather seats (heated up front), 17-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth and keyless entry. The only option available – which our car had – is the $1,545 Technology package, providing an eight-speaker, 400-watt Fender audio system, rear-view camera and touchscreen-based navigation and the DSG transmission that is another $1,400.
That’s a pretty good chunk of tech for your money, but when you compare that for what you get for similar money with the Cruze, The General’s offering once again comes out on top; for $28,710 plus $1,600 PDI (that’s more than VW charges), you also get heated leather seats as your only choice, alloys, GPS, Bluetooth and a back-up camera. But you also add a radar-based cross-traffic alert system to go with said camera, a blind-spot warning system and power-adjustable driver’s seat – you can manually adjust the lumber support as well, something you can’t do at all in the Jetta, though the Jetta now features power adjustable driver’s seats (although the model tested did not – mid-year equipment updates).
Jonathan may not agree, but I did find the Jetta’s sound system the better of the two. It’s got more wattage than the Cruze’s 240-Watt Pioneer system (a $385 option on our car), making for a richer, more detailed sound – this is especially noticeable as you near highways speeds.
Design and Utility
An interesting case of black and white, this, and I’m not just referring to the colours of our cars, here (the Cruze is a dark, dark blue, after all).
    2013 Volkswagen Jetta TDI & 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Diesel. Click image to enlarge |
Both Jonathan and I agree that the Jetta is better to look at from the outside, although I do still take issue with the daytime running lights mounted below the main lenses; the way their angles give a kind of googly-eyed, cookie-monster effect is something I just can’t get past. Oh, how it would benefit from the LED set-up on the GLI and Hybrid models, but alas, that’s not even an option for the TDI.
The Cruze? Well, the Cruze just isn’t all that distinctive, especially in a colour as dark as this. With the exception of the turned-up corners of the headlight lenses, it’s a pretty standard low-risk compact sedan affair. Not even features like the alloy rims manage to pull the Cruze out of the stylistic hinterland.
The Jetta, by contrast, is a handsome car whose monochromatic exterior finish adds a touch of luxury and class to VW’s compact sedan and volume seller. Meanwhile, details like the gorgeous and wiry two-tone alloys, sparkly fog lights and turn signals mounted in the wing mirror housings are nicely implemented and manage to draw your eye without dominating the picture.
