2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid Review

In January at the Detroit’s Auto Show the Jetta Hybrid made its debut. Considering that the halls at Cobo was clogged the Jetta didn’t draw much interest. This is because it’s not so interesting.

The standard Jetta exterior is hardly distinguishable, even though the new spoiler front air dam and rear diffuser are allegedly good for a decrease of 10-percent in the coefficient of drag for the sedan. Further boosting competence is its collection of 15-inch wheels with low-rolling rubber resistance and a VW logo that is grille-mounted with its blue background and the MPG is guarantee to be good for only a few fractions.

The core technology is really mild -mannered, it comes with a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine emitting out 184 pound-feet of torque from 1,400 and 3,500 rpm and 150 horsepower. Squeezed between its tiny-displacement mill it also has a dual-clutch seven-speed gearbox in its electric motor putting out an added (20kW) 27 hp. Unlike the first VW’s hybrid (that is the Touareg) that puts it trust in a battery pack that is nickel metal hydride, the Jetta utilizes more efficient and modern lithium-ion cells in total 60, found behind the back seat and weighs no more than 80 pounds.

If your intellect suggest to you this isn’t much, it’s because isn’t true. 1.1 kWh of juice is only what the batteries provide. Fortunately, what this means is that the tonnage is kept maintained, with the entire package putting 221 pounds on weight for the Jetta’s curb totalling of approximately 3,300 pounds.

A claimed 45 MPG combined is added up, five MPGs less than the Prius, however the trade is fair.

The Jetta Hybrid model only demanded the four-pot’s assistance at the point when one flexes their right foot just a little more than throttle maintenance. In addition, the VW claims that you can power the Hybrid as high as 44 mph when in EV mode and goes up to 1.2 miles previous to running out of the battery juice.

What’s even more remarkable is the VW’s capability of getting a much more compliant and progressive brake experience from the regenerative system. With the Jetta Hybrid it manages to offer more modulation. There is a downfall though it has gives a strange and you get an odd regent sensation after coming off the brakes you get a feeling like a headwind that is heavy is slowing things down.