Volkswagen Golf TDI Fuel-Efficient and Fun to Drive
What's the catch? It uses diesel, which means that it has to reside in an area where diesel fuel is both available and affordable.
Proponents of the car say that modern diesel engines offer the ideal combination of frugal fuel economy and strong performance, yet burn cleanly enough to meet even California's strict tailpipe emissions regulations.
This car belongs to the group of vehicles known as "clean diesels," and those who coined this phrase don't consider it an oxymoron.
The VW Golf TDI has undergone a cosmetic makeover, making it look more refined and aerodynamic, doing away with the unsightly prominent front-end look.
Starting at $21,990 for a two-door model and $22,760 for a four-door, the vehicle comes well-equipped and sports a price comparable to trendier fuel-saving hybrids such as the Honda Civic and Toyota Prius.
The TDI can get 30-city/42-highway mpg. Admittedly, these numbers fall short of the Honda Civic and Toyota Prius' estimated ratings (at 40/45 and 51/48 respectively). However, the TDI can reach 60 mph in 8.6 seconds, which beats the Civic and Prius hybrids. So, car buyers must decide on which aspect of performance they'd prefer in a vehicle.
The Golf TDI's 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine generates 140 horsepower, but it does so with a 236 pounds/feet of torque, so it creates powerful takeoffs and strong passing abilities.
There are many ways to reduce one's carbon footprint; although a diesel-consuming car isn't perfect, it might still be seen as a step in the right direction for those who need to buy an affordable vehicle that saves gas, that also passes strict tailpipe emissions regulations.
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