When it comes to fuel-saving technology, Volkswagen has been one of the staunchest supporters of diesel engines. Americans, however, have preferred hybrids, and VW is relenting with its new Jetta Hybrid sedan.
The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid's fuel economy puts it among the hybrid elite, and its sporty demeanor is a welcome addition to a segment that lacks excitement. Our enthusiasm, though, is tempered by the car's clumsy brake-pedal feel and accelerator lag.
The Jetta Hybrid starts at $25,790 including a $795 destination charge. We tested a well-equipped SEL trim level with an as-tested price of $30,155, which is about $4,000 more than a similarly equipped gas-only Jetta SEL. To see the Jetta Hybrid's pricing and specs compared with the Toyota Prius and Ford C-Max Hybrid, click here.
Unique Approach Yields Excellent Gas Mileage
The Jetta Hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 42/48 mpg city/highway and requires premium gas. Using the EPA's combined city/highway driving calculation, the sedan gets an estimated 45 mpg compared with the Prius' 50-mpg rating and the C-Max Hybrid's 47-mpg estimate.
Based on the car's trip computer, my observed gas mileage over the course of a week was an impressive 50 mpg. I covered 106 miles at an average speed of 19 mph, and my travels saw stop-and-go city driving, Chicago rush-hour traffic, and suburban streets and highways. The outside temperature hovered in the mid-40s, and I drove it the same way I do other test cars.
The Jetta Hybrid debuts new drivetrain technology for Volkswagen in the U.S. The hybrid system consists of a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine assisted by an electric motor that's powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. It drives the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The high fuel economy alone might be enough for some efficiency-focused car shoppers, but the Jetta Hybrid offers more, delivering an overall driving experience that popular hybrids like the Prius can't touch. Responsive steering and taut suspension tuning that's still compliant enough for daily commuting make the Jetta Hybrid feel nimble in the city and comfortable on the highway. Many hybrids have a way of isolating the driver from the act of driving, whether through numb steering or sloppy handling. The Jetta Hybrid shines above the class norm.
Rough Around the Edges
Not all is well with the Jetta Hybrid driving experience, though, as it suffers from poor brake-pedal linearity , excessive idle creep, and accelerator lag. These issues combine to make the car feel clumsy in stop-and-go driving and when maneuvering at slow speeds.
Automakers have struggled to perfect brake-pedal feel in hybrids, which blend regenerative braking technology with traditional friction brakes, and the struggle continues in the Jetta Hybrid. The first half-inch of pedal travel produces immediate stopping power from the car's regenerative braking system, but after that initial forcefulness the response tapers off significantly, with the last few inches of pedal travel yielding modest braking. It was enough to scare one editor and his passenger. After a few days, I acclimated and the brakes felt less jarring, but they still demanded a lot of my attention in order to make a smooth stop. Let up on the brake pedal and the car will lurch forward rather than creep.
The accelerator lag also drags down the driving experience. Press the gas pedal to take off from a stop, and nothing happens for a moment before the car surges forward. The delay is brief and occurs consistently enough that you can account for it as you drive, but it's nonetheless another idiosyncrasy that, like the brakes, makes the car feel unpolished.
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