One of the perennial complaints about Volkswagen’s Jetta TDI has been its traditionally-high price. The model has usually had a starting price in the $23,000 range, which is the result of high levels of content shoehorned into the vehicle. Luckily, VW is getting more aggressive about its diesel offerings in North America, and has therefore introduced the Jetta TDI Value Edition for the 2014 model year.
Slotting under the previous base model known as the Jetta TDI Clean Diesel, the Value Edition will have a starting price of $21,295 — a full $2,330 less than the $23,625 base price of the Jetta TDI Clean Disel. To achieve the lower price, VW has removed many of the up-level content such as alloy wheels, soft-touch dashboard, Bluetooth with audio streaming, VW Car-Net telematic system, as well as the leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, shift knob and handbrake lever.
Instead, the Jetta TDI Value Edition starts out as a “base” Jetta S model and then adds electric power steering, 16-inch steel wheels (with plastic covers), heatable cloth seats, cruise control, MDI (Media Device Interface) with iPod cable, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, two additional speakers (for a total of six), and — of course — VW’s world-class 2.0-liter Clean Diesel engine. EPA-estimated fuel economy remains at 42 MPG on the highway (manual or DSG transmission), and those who prefer to let the car do its own shifting can opt for the dual-clutch DSG transmisison for $1,100.
To note, upgrading to the Jetta TDI Clean Diesel — the next trim level up — will cost $2,330 more ($23,625) while adding body color side mirrors with integrated turn signals, V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces with heated front seats, partial power seats, 60/40 split-folding rear seat with passthrough, 16-inch Mambo wheels, soft-touch dashboard, Car-Net telematics system, Bluetooth with streaming audio, and a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, shift knob, and handbrake lever. In that regard, it would appear that the Jetta TDI Value Edition lives at the intersection of Jetta S and SE (without the connectivity package) equipment with the 2.0-liter TDI engine. For instance, the S doesn’t have the electromechanical power steering nor the MDI interface while only being equipped with four speakers, but the TDI Value Edition adds all three features.
The Motrolix Take
If it means getting more people into clean diesel cars, we welcome the Jetta TDI Value Edition wholeheartedly.
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