By 2004, Volkswagen was well established as a leader in small displacement diesel engines.....at least in North America. You could get the proven TDI powerplant in at least four different models: Golf, Beetle, Jetta Wagon, and Jetta Sedan. There was even a "Sport" version of the Jetta TDI sedan, which, for a diesel engined vehicle, was almost an oxymoron. All models returned excellent fuel economy and Natural Resources Canada pegged the 2004 Beetle TDI as the second most economical vehicle sold in Canada....runner-up to the Honda Insight. The Jetta TDI sedan wasn’t far behind.
To put this into some kind of context, you could drive a Jetta TDI from Toronto to Thunder Bay - some 1200 km - without stopping for fuel and still have some left over.
The TDI powerplant also meant you could discard any lingering notions you may have had about sluggish, uncooperative diesel engines that spewed black smoke and couldn’t get out of their own way. For example, the ‘04 Jetta TDI Sport zipped from a standing start to freeway speed in just over eight seconds, which was more than respectable, and it was actually slightly faster than a regular Jetta equipped with a 2.0 litre gasoline engine.
And it was all thanks to a then-new fuel delivery technology co-developed by VW and Bosch. Known as Pumpe Duse, this system injected diesel fuel directly into the cylinders under tremendous pressure, and simultaneously increased combustion while lowering the rough running characteristics and crude power delivery often associated with diesel engines. The technology was also used by Mercedes, and VW later fitted it to their Touareg V10 and Passat models as well. Factor in the TDI’s turbocharger boost and you had an engine that provided above-average performance and exceptional fuel economy at the same time.
The 1.9 litre four cylinder engine powering the TDI developed a mere 100 horsepower at 4000 rpm. Most other comparably-sized econoboxes of the time had thirty, forty, fifty, and more horses than this. However, the TDI also developed 177 foot-pounds of torque at 1800 rpm, a figure that few other comparably sized four-bangers could match…..gasoline-fed or otherwise. If ever there was an unassailable argument for the relevance of torque, the Jetta TDI had it in spades.
You could choose from either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission and, all things considered, the manual was probably the better choice. Certainly, it let you take advantage of the engine’s performance capabilities and
returned superior fuel economy than the autobox, which was the general idea for many buyers. It also cost $1400 less.
The Jetta TDI sedan and wagon were both available down south, but the TDI Sport was only sold in Canada. It came with air conditioning, cruise control, remote central locking, special 16-inch alloy wheels, power windows, leather trim, sport tuned suspension, front and side air bags, heated mirrors, and ABS. Base price was just under $27,000, which was about $500 more than a comparably equipped Jetta GLS. The Jetta TDI wagon had a base price some $1470 higher and had the same engine, but mated to a Tiptronic five-speed automatic transmission.
The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) has but three safety recalls on file for the 2004 Jetta TDI. One for a possibly faulty diesel pump connection, one for flawed brake master cylinder replacements, and one for a minor brake light problem. There are also relatively few service bulletins...some 29 in all, but these concern all models of Jetta for that year. Most of the diesel issues seem to revolve around cold-start problems, or heater output in the winter....a common complaint for all diesel engines. Transport Canada has the same fuel pump issue on file, as well as a possibly malfunctioning seat heater. The fuel pump connector problem also applies to the Golf and New Beetle.
Marketing research firm J.D. Power doesn’t distinguish between the diesel and gas-propelled Jetta in its vehicle ratings, but either way, it doesn’t come out too well, scoring below average for initial quality and overall performance and design. Keep in mind, though, that these ratings are for all models of the 2004 Jetta, not necessarily the TDI. And what it may have lacked in quality, the Jetta made up for in safety, garnering five stars for front impact safety.
As far as resale goes, the Canadian Black Book values all four-year-old Jettas at between $14,675 and $17,300, while the Red Book says $13,275 for the TDI sedan and $13,775 for the Jetta TDI Wagon. That’s about half of what these two cost new, four years ago.
AT A GLANCE
Original Base Price: $26,080; Black Book Value: $14,675 - $17,300; Red Book Value: $13,275.
Engine: 1.9 litre four cylinder turbo-diesel
Horsepower/Torque: 100 hp/177 foot-pounds
Transmission: Five-speed manual/four-speed automatic
Drive: FWD
Fuel Economy (litres/100 km): 6.2 city/4.6 hwy for manual transmission version.
Alternatives: VW Beetle TDI, Jetta TDI Wagon, VW Golf TDI.
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