2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI - Four Seasons Update - April 2009

Just before fuel prices dropped precipitously late last year, we took delivery of our first diesel-powered Four Seasons car in ages, a stick-shift 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI, EPA rated at an impressive 30 mpg in the city, 41 mpg on the highway, and 34 mpg combined.

The odometer of our Four Seasons Volkswagen Jetta TDI passed the 10,000-mile mark several weeks ago, but the car continues to plug away trouble-free, which is particularly notable given VW's deserved reputation for questionable reliability.

At the halfway point in our yearlong test, the VW is on a pace for about 30,000 miles, a benchmark most recently reached only by versatile SUVs and crossovers in our fleet, not sedans or sports cars.