Forget the smoke billowing from 18-wheelers and the stench of a passing city bus because diesel technology – as applied to passenger vehicles like the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI – has cleaned up its act. VW has been selling its turbodiesel models under the TDI nameplate to Americans for more than a decade. As emissions regulations have strengthened, Volkswagen’s TDI powertrain has been placed on hiatus both nationally and regionally. Now, with the introduction of low sulfur diesel fuel and new denox technology, Volkswagen’s fuel-efficient turbodiesel meets emissions standards in all 50 states. And while we wouldn’t want to repeat the experience, we’ve even taken a deep drag on the exhaust pipe to see just how clean the latest TDI technology is. Currently, Volkswagen offers TDI technology only in the Jetta and the Touareg 2.

Here is a summary of the key attributes of the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI:
• 2.0-liter, turbocharged, direct injection, common rail diesel engine
• 50-state emissions compliant
• Requires low sulfur diesel fuel
• 140 horsepower at 4,000 rpm
• 236 lb.-ft. of torque between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm
• Equivalent to Jetta SE trim level, minus the power sunroof
• Rated 30 mpg city and 41 mpg highway with a manual transmission
• Offered in sedan and station wagon body styles
• Standard heated front seats and heated washer nozzles, as with all Jetta models for 2009
• Standard front and rear floor mats, as with all Jetta models for 2009
• Standard stability control, as with all Volkswagen models for 2009
• Free scheduled maintenance program, as with all Volkswagen models for 2009

Volkswagen sells the Jetta TDI as a sedan or a station wagon, the latter called the Jetta SportWagen. A Loyal Edition trim level was offered early in the TDI’s run, a sedan that included a standard premium audio system and a lip spoiler.

Notable standard features on the Jetta TDI include air conditioning; a tilt and telescopic steering wheel; heated front seats, side mirrors, and washer nozzles; power windows and door locks; cruise contro; an 8-way power driver’s seat; and a 10-speaker audio system with a CD changer and Sirius satellite radio. Additionally, the TDI is equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, an upgraded instrument cluster, V-Tex vinyl seat upholstery, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, a 115-volt power outlet, and a split-folding rear seat with a trunk pass-through.

Factory options for the TDI include a navigation system, an iPod adaptor, and rear airbags in addition to a premium audio system, a power sunroof (panoramic on the SportWagen), 17-inch alloy wheels, and Bluetooth wireless connectivity with voice recognition control. A variety of dealer-installed accessories are also offered on the Jetta TDI.

The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI is equipped with a 2.0-liter, turbocharged, direct injection, common rail diesel engine with four cylinders. It makes 140 horsepower at 4,000 rpm, and 236 lb.-ft. of torque between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm, running on low sulfur diesel fuel. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard, with a 6-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) automatic optional. During a week driving a Jetta TDI with the automatic transmission, which is rated by the EPA to deliver 29 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway, we averaged 31.4 mpg in mixed driving.

Standard safety equipment on the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI includes dual front airbags, dual seat-mounted side-impact airbags for the front seats, and side curtain airbags for both rows of seats. Rear side-impact airbags are optional. Every VW Jetta TDI also comes equipped with four-wheel-disc ABS with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, and a stability control system with traction control.

J.D. Power and Associates says the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI competes against other compact cars. Those competitors that offer both sedan and station wagon or hatchback variants include the Hyundai Elantra, Mazda 3, and Suzuki SX4.