 2013 Volkswagen Jetta TDI. Click image to enlarge |
Of course, these are diesels and all that stuff is moot when you consider what they’re meant to do and what we were testing them for; the real question, then, is that amidst all its somewhat lackadaisical throttle response, mushy brakes and frustrating transmission, does the Jetta win in the fuel economy sweepstakes?
Well, no.
We set out to see if we could get to from Toronto to Montreal and back on a single tank of gas and while the Cruze still had almost a quarter tank left (about 121 km of range, according to the trip computer), the Jetta was nearing the end of its supply when we lost our will in Coburg, just 120 km outside of Toronto, and pulled over to fuel up. If cars could talk, then you can imagine the Cruze thumbing his nose at the Jetta while uttering a triumphant “Na-na-nana-naaaaaa” in its direction.
Yes, the Cruze does have a larger tank (59 L to the Jetta’s 55), but that doesn’t change the fact that both the trip computers and our calculations put it on the higher pedestal; over the 919 km jouney (926 according to the Jetta’s trip computer – go figure), the Cruze managed 5.7 L/100 km, the Jetta 5.9, both at average speeds of around 105 km/h, both starting out with completely full tanks.
What you’ll never see from these or any other diesel, for that matter, is the fuel economy you get from a hybrid around town. During my time with the Cruze, I saw over 7 L/100 km, and when I city-tested the Jetta in April, I saw around 8.8 L per. Take the Jetta Turbo Hybrid’s claimed sub-five litre figures in the city, and you can see what the hybrid hype is all about.
 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Diesel. Click image to enlarge |
Conclusion
Safe to say that the both of us were pleasantly surprised with the Cruze. I am a big fan of diesel tech and until now, the VW TDI powertrain – available in the Golf, Jetta, Beetle and Passat platforms, plus a larger V6 in the Touareg – was the beacon of light in Canada, where diesels just aren’t accepted in passenger cars as they are in Europe.
Indeed, aside from the luxury manufacturers, there was no other option except VW. Now, however, there’s a new kid on the block, and it’s very, very good.
You have to hand it to GM, whose horrid diesel powertrains in the ’80s are a big reason why diesels are so frowned upon ‘round here, for coming back to the plate with the Cruze diesel.
At the end of the day, there was very little debate as to the winner of this particular comparison: it’s the Cruze, but I guess you can make the argument that the real winner is diesel-powered cars in general (when we filled up, diesel was around 10 cents per litre cheaper than regular) as well as the people who are buying them.
Pricing: 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel
Base Price (Cruze):$14,995
Base Price (Cruze Diesel): $24,945
Options: Enhanced Safety Package – $885, Sun and Sound Package – $1,485, Navigation – $795
Destination: $1,600
A/C Tax: $100
Price as Tested: $29,810
Pricing: 2014 Volkswagen Jetta Highline TDI Clean Diesel
Base Price (Jetta): $14,990
Base Price (Jetta Highline): $24,990
Base Price (Jetta Highline TDI): $27,290
Options: DSG Automatic Transmission – $1,400, Technology package (Eight-speaker, 400-watt Fender audio system, rear-view camera and touchscreen-based navigation) – $1,545
Destination: $1,395
A/C Tax: $100
Price as Tested: $31,730
Crash Test Results:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
