Today, my family and I are driving from Los Angeles to Santa Cruz, CA, in a diesel-powered 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI. Sooooo, I figured we could play a little game: Let's see which one of you can come the closest to predicting our fuel economy.
Details on the trip: We're going 350 miles, and we'll be taking Route 101 up the Pacific coast. The car will be packed with me, my wife Robin, the two kids, our dog, and 5 days' worth of luggage. I'll probably do the bulk of the driving, and I tend to run about 70-72 MPH. If Robin drives, our speed will increase a bit. Like, to Mach 2. EPA fuel economy estimates for the Jetta TDI wagon with the DSG automatic transmission are 29 MPG city, 40 MPG highway.
To enter our little contest, click the Comments link below and give us your prediction down to the tenths (i.e. 20.5 MPG). First person to pick the closest number wins. For a little research on past performance, check out the reviews below. Good luck! -- Aaron Gold
- 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI test drive
- 2009 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 SportWagen test drive
- The Diesel engine: What it is, how it works
Photo © Aaron Gold
ok, I’ll be first. A little headwind, fully loaded, nothing but hiway, 5 speed I’m hoping… 39.8 mph
Sorry, didn’t see that DSG tranny. I guess that’s “infinity and beyond” speeds. Still 39.8 mph
I’m going for 42.3 mpg.
I predict 38.4
I am going to say 36.5 mpg
35.8 is my guess
I’ll go with 40.1
40.1 MPG, true German Craftsmanship….
I’ll say 38.9
my guess is 29.7 – so what do I win if I’m closest?
BTW, as a professional auto writer and traveler, why would you need a Nav device? Spend $15 for a good atlas!
Driving normally? I’d say 36mpg. Given all the focus on hybrids and hypermiling, I’m glad to see some “real world” numbers.
I’m going with 37.4.
37.8 miles per gallon
My guess will probably be somewhere in the middle of the others: 37.3
36.9
37.6
I will say 40.3 MPG. What GPS?
38.6
Being familiar with that route I’m going to say 38.3 average trusting it is a straight shot and there are no side trips.
My guess is 43.7 mpg.
I love your column and it’s contents! I am also considering a VW deisel wagon for my next purchase. It will be a great addition to my 97 F250 Powerstroke.
I’ll say 42.7
39.0 Be sure to ride the Giant Dipper in Santa Cruz, a fantastic wooden roller coaster built in the 1920’s.
At those speeds and loaded you should be about 35.5 mpg. I have on occasion rented this car in Germany and it is great.
I’ll say 34.5 mpg.
39.6
You will run 43 mpg.
40.0 on the dot. I don’t have any experience with the TDI, but with my 2006 Jetta 2.5, always get the EPA numbers on the dot 23/29.
A dog in a press car? You West Coast boys run different than us East Coast scribes. Anyway, I will predict 38.1
I’m going with 36.3, because I’ve seen Robin drive.
39.9. But Jason has a leg up (ha, a dog pun!) since he’s seen Robin drive…
Fully loaded, above average speed of 70-mach 2… I believe it will be around 31.5
I own a 2005 manual transmission TDI Jetta. My typical mileage is 44 for a combination (probably 80/20) of 2 lane and 4 lane highways.
I’ll go with my 44.
You’ve had a busy weekend with LeMons so I’m guessing Robin’s going to do more driving than you expect.
I’m going with 35.9.
I take a stab at 43.4, just a WAG.
I’ll guess about 32.8 Esp is Robin is driving.
Hold onto your hats and glasses! Cause this is the wildest ride in the wilderness!!!
I had an ‘06 TDI with manual that would have gotten 42+ mpg on this trip, but I hear the new ones aren’t quite as good with mileage, especially the DSG.
My projection: 37.7 mpg.
37.3
Based on my experience as an owner of a TDI Jetta sedan you should get an average of 47.2 mpg.
you will get 35.6 mpg
42
I guess 41.4 MPG
One dollar!
43.3 – guess I’m feeling optimistic
38.9
I predict an average of 41.4 mpg
I’ll say 34 mpg if you drive Aaron. But knowing Robin, if she drives I’d say 15 mpg.
Sorry Robin, but you know it’s true.
Having owned a small truck with a small diesel, and knowing how good the diesel is on trips, I’ll go with 44.1 MPG. Have a good trip and say hi to my Aunt if go to the library while in Santa Cruz.
37.9
41.2
40.2
I was going to pick 40.1 but that was already taken twice. I figure you are gooing to do a little worse than the 44 my 2005 TDI wagon gets at an honest 70 (73 speedometer) on along trip
I say 38.7 MPG.
My guess 41.4
My new guess 41.5
42.55
35.1
38.75
I’ll say 36.7
Real World, fully loaded wagon, higher speed, lots of sight-seeing stops, my guess is 33.5 overall; hope it is more, considering the same car in my family.
56.3mpg
I would say given the parameters of this road trip the average mileage in my estimation to be 44.9 M.P.G.
I am guessing 38.7 Have FUN!!! Wish I was making that drive.
This is weird! I drove this car in Germany achieving exact 79.166 mpg (cross country roads) by paying attention not to exceed 55 m/h (88 km/h). Faster ride, averaging 65 m/h per hour (Autobahn -104 km/h) still got 60.89 mpg.
Aaron, you must have a right food made from lead.
Based on my experience when we lived in England and I had a previous generation (1999) Passat Estate 1.9 TDI I’d guess 44.5 mpg.