VW Jetta TDI Is First Diesel Named "Green Car of the Year"

The first diesel ever to take the title "Green Car Of the Year," Volkswagen's '09 Jetta TDI clean diesel was awarded the title at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The VW beat out a pair of hybrids, a clean diesel sport sedan, and a trendy microcar.

Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com, claimed that the Volkswagen Jetta TDI "epitomizes what the Green Car of the Year is all about." Green Car Journal was impressed with the Jetta TDI's $21,990 base price, abundant low-end torque, suspension dynamics, and exceptionally quiet engine.

A jury of nine made the selection, and included Carl Pope of the Sierra Club; Frances Beinecke, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council; Jean-Michel Cousteau, president of Ocean Futures Society; automotive expert and "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno; automotive icon Carroll Shelby; and four Green Car Journal editors. Finalists included the BMW 335d, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Saturn VUE 2-mode hybrid, and smart fortwo.--Colin Mathews
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Make sure you check out our partner sites dedicated to focused news, reviews and more for Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, and the Toyota Prius. 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDIEnlarge PhotoThe first diesel ever to take the title "Green Car Of the Year," Volkswagen's '09 Jetta TDI clean diesel was awarded the title at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The VW beat out a pair of hybrids, a clean diesel sport sedan, and a trendy microcar. Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com, claimed that the Volkswagen Jetta TDI "epitomizes what the Green Car of the Year is all about." Green Car Journal was impressed with the Jetta TDI's $21,990 base price, abundant low-end torque, suspension dynamics, and exceptionally quiet engine. A jury of nine made the selection, and included Carl Pope of the Sierra Club; Frances Beinecke, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council; Jean-Michel Cousteau, president of Ocean Futures Society; automotive expert and "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno; automotive icon Carroll Shelby; and four Green Car Journal editors. Finalists included the BMW 335d, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Saturn VUE 2-mode hybrid, and smart fortwo.--Colin Mathews --- Make sure you check out our partner sites dedicated to focused news, reviews and more for Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, and the Toyota Prius.