Funny thing, you don’t hear people complaining about fuel costs yet, though they’re hovering at just under $3.00 a gallon for premium. Perhaps the shock engendered two years ago by prices fifty percent higher than that has stuck. Realistically, though, we’ll be back into that $4.50 range in the long term, for a myriad of reasons I’ve discussed previously here.

Which means that the VW Jetta SportWagon, in turbodiesel form, should be at the top of many shopping lists. For 2010 VW has aligned its look with the company’s newest, the Golf VI, with a horizontal grill and less flashy front fascia. The Jetta’s cockpit also benefits from the changes to its sibling; a very high-quality new dash and steering wheel that’s a tactile delight are the most obvious improvements. It’s very bright inside, too, thanks to the huge (optional) panoramic roof and plethora of windows. The seats are supportive when you’re cornering, yet comfortable during cruising.

Sadly, the chassis hasn’t made the leap to the newest Golf’s underpinnings, meaning actual ride comfort remains a bit elusive. Bump-thump is a constant companion, and urban blacktop is rarely handled without some measure of noise and harshness. Compensation arrives in the corners, with an alertness to the helm and overall poise that still aren’t available from other teetotalers, like the Prius.

The drivetrain is a marvel (at least to Americans; it’s pretty much the norm across the Atlantic), with gobs of low-end torque courtesy of the turbo. There’d still be a lot of shifting required if you went with the manual, though, as even the best compression-ignition engines have a fairly narrow powerband, which means the twin-clutch DSG gearbox makes the most sense for those who have to contend with traffic. It handles all the gear-swapping chores with alacrity, without unduly affecting the parsimony that is the very reason for choosing the TDI.

Mid-to-high 40s are totally doable on the open road; in town, the Jetta TDI will usually end up somewhere in the 30-35mpg range. While not up to the level of the latest Toyota hybrid, that makes the VW more stingy than most anything else. It’s still more fun to drive than the Japanese competition, thanks to its turbo-enhanced rush and nimble chassis. The SportWagen also has more load-hauling ability, and astonishing resale value—especially when fuel prices are up—making it a good long term value, as well as a particularly fine place from which to feel like you’re doing your part to save the planet.

Price as tested: $26,915

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