Four Fuel Sippers: 2009 Honda Fit Sport, 2010 Ford Fiesta, 2010 Honda Insight, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

The biggest negative with the Volkswagen Jetta TDI is the price of diesel fuel; the car itself is great. Our TDI, a Four Seasons test car with nearly 20,000 miles on the clock, was easily the best riding car of this bunch. Some of this can be attributed to its size - it's an inch longer and two inches wider than the Insight. But it clearly benefits from having an independent rear suspension, as opposed to the torsion beam setup employed in the other three cars, which helps it provide the sort of ride one expects from a mid-size or larger car.

The TDI also has the nicest interior, with exemplary fit and finish and soft-touch surfaces worthy of Volkswagen/Audi's reputation for industry-leading interior design. Being a sedan in the company of hatchbacks, our Jetta fell short on the utility front, but it's far from a slouch thanks to an easily accessible, cavernous trunk (amazingly, it's about two cubic feet bigger than what you'll find in the midsize VW Passat or Honda Accord). For those who need more room, the TDI is also available as a wagon.

What traditionally separates German sedans from the pack are their driving dynamics, and for the most part, the TDI doesn't disappoint. Around town, there's plenty of power on tap - provided you're willing to work the six-speed manual transmission to keep the 2.0-liter four-cylinder in its torquey sweet spot. Most of the time, that's hardly a chore, thanks to a smooth gearbox and linear, low-effort clutch. Commuters who spend lots of time in traffic might prefer the optional dual-clutch automatic. In any event, the TDI is really at home cruising on the highway, where the engine relaxes and the miles melt away with nary a fuel fill-up required. We guarantee you'll need a pit stop before the Jetta does.

Unfortunately, once it does finally need refueling, its diesel fuel might cost you quite a bit more than gasoline, although situation seems to depend heavily on where you live. If your primary motive in going green is to save some green, the unleaded-sipping Insight might be a better choice. But if you're looking for a practical, comfortable, fun small car that also goes well with your Captain Planet T-shirt, the TDI makes for an unbeatable choice.