Road Test: 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Turbo Hybrid

Story and photos by John LeBlanc It’s not as big of a personality clash as Dr. Henry Jekyll’s struggles with his Edward Hyde alter ego, but the automotive terms “Turbo” and “Hybrid” don’t seem like likely bedfellows, as in the new-this-year Volkswagen Jetta Turbo Hybrid, a car that seems to be trying to be all things to all people. With the gas-electric hybrid, Volkswagen seems to be taking a cue from Baskin Robbins when it comes to the number of Jetta’s engine flavors. On top of a pair of naturally aspirated gas mills, a turbocharged diesel and a turbocharged gas model, the turbo-gas-electric hybrid becomes the fifth engine option in the front-wheel-drive, five-passenger Jetta compact sedan lineup. More choice is fine, but Volkswagen already makes a really fuel-efficient Jetta in the form of the TDI turbo diesel, and a really fun-to-drive Jetta in the guise of the turbo-gas GLI. So is the Jetta Turbo Hybrid model the best of both worlds or a compromise? Where Volkswagen hasn’t compromised is in the engineering of the Jetta Turbo Hybrid’s gas-electric powertrain. While the approach the German automaker has taken is familiar — a small gas engine aided by an electric motor that allows stop/start functionality, boosts of torque and can charge a lithium-ion battery pack — there are a few quirks. First, the car’s 1.4-litre four-cylinder gas engine is uniquely turbocharged and intercooled, and instead of a continuously variable transmission, the Jetta Turbo Hybrid gets a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (one more gear than non-hybrid Jetta’s). There are some differences inside the hybrid Jetta, too. The tachometer gets ditched for a Power Meter that keeps tabs on how often you’re using either the gas or electric power sources. Like other hybrids, Volkswagen has also added a screen on the centre console digital display where you can watch the energy flow between the gas engine, batteries and wheels. There's geeky hybrid gear on the Volkswagen hybrid's outside, too. There's chrome Hybrid lettering on the Jetta’s solid front grille, a unique front air dam and rear spoiler and various underbody aero bits help contribute to a claimed 0.28 coefficient of aerodynamic drag — 0.2 better than any other Jetta. With all this effort from Volkswagen you’d expect great fuel economy estimates. On paper, the Turbo Hybrid’s 4.5 L/100  city and 4.2 highway ratings are better than the diesel’s respective 6.7/4.7 estimates, but like most hybrids, real-world driving fuel economy was less impressive. In my week with the hybrid Jetta, I saw an average of 6.2 L/100 km. The Turbo part of the Jetta hybrid’s nomenclature is to send the message that the Volkswagen sedan doesn’t drive like any other hybrid (i.e. like a garage fridge). For the most part, it’s safe to say that the Jekyll and Hyde of Jettas is the most fun-to-drive compact hybrid sedan you can buy. Despite the added weight of the battery pack (that makes the hybrid the heaviest Jetta) the Turbo Hybrid takes only 8.1 seconds to go from zero to 100 kilometres an hour. While that’s about one second quicker than the Jetta TDI and one second slower than the Jetta GLI, it’s about four seconds quicker than a Honda Civic Hybrid. Volkswagen engineers also mounted the battery pack around the Jetta’s rear axle for better front to rear weight distribution and a lower centre of gravity. The hybrid also benefits from the GLI’s multilink rear suspension. When driven like a Turbo, the Jetta hybrid can’t match the GLI's more athletic moves, but it certainly is more engaging than any other hybrid in its price range. The only downside is the Volkswagen’s particulaly aggressive regenerative braking system. The binders are very sensitive and jerky at lower speeds. Outside a Volkswagen showroom, the Jetta Turbo Hybrid's closest rivals are the $24,990 Civic Hybrid and larger $27,710 Toyota Camry Hybrid sedans, but in reality, its toughest competition is from its own siblings. While its automatic transmission (optional on other Jettas) is standard fare, with a starting price of $27,875, the Jetta Turbo Hybrid is pricier than both the $24,190 Jetta TDI diesel and $27,590 Jetta GLI sports sedan. Neither Jekyll nor Hyde, the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Turbo Hybrid's mission is hard to nail down. If  you’re hell-bent on buying a hybrid compact sedan — and like to drive — or have a distaste for diesel cars, then by all means, go get the Jetta hybrid. But if you want the most fun-to-drive Jetta, I recommend the Jetta GLI sports sedan. Or if you want a more cost-efficient version of the VW compact sedan, go get a Jetta TDI diesel. Road Test: 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Turbo Hybrid Type of vehicle Front-wheel-drive compact hybrid sedan Engine Turbo 1.4L DOHC four-cylinder with electric motor Power 170 hp @ 5,000 rpm, 184 lb-ft of torque @ 1,000 rpm Transmission Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic Brakes Four-wheel disc with ABS Tires P205/50R17 Price: base/as tested $27,875/$34,025 Destination charge $1,395 Natural Resources Canada fuel economy L/100 km 4.5 city, 4.2 hwy, 6.2 as-tested Standard features 15-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, cruise control, heated washer nozzles, energy flow display, auto power locks and one-touch windows, six speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with auxiliary input, heated front seats, six-way manually adjustable front seats with lumbar support for driver, lockable and cooled glove box, hill holder, and more.

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