2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid Priced from $25,790

Volkswagen slightly confused us last year when it announced that it was putting a hybrid variant of its Jetta sedan on sale here in the U.S., not least because the brand already offers us Yanks the hugely efficient diesel Jetta TDI. We already reported on the Jetta hybrid's particulars after it debuted at this year's Detroit auto show, but here's the short summary: The newest Jetta variant utilizes an all-new hybrid powertrain to serve up TDI-beating fuel economy. The hybrid's on-sale date is drawing near, and even though we're still not convinced it's necessary, at least VW has cleared up the question of the fuel-sipper's price: The 2013 Jetta hybrid will start at $25,790, $2005 more than the least-expensive TDI. Interestingly, the entry-level Jetta hybrid model, whose price assuredly will be splashed across VW's marketing efforts for the line, won't be stocked on dealer lots. Similar to the base 2013 CC sedan, Volkswagen is making the base hybrid a special-order item; the next-level-up, $27,785 SE model will be the cheapest hybrid that you can actually go and buy off of the showroom floor. Strange availability quirks aside, every Jetta hybrid is well equipped, as you can see from the full pricing breakdown below: Jetta Hybrid: $25,790 (Standard equipment includes 15-inch aluminum wheels, power heated side mirrors, automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and Bluetooth) Jetta Hybrid SE: $27,785 (SE trim adds LED taillights, power-reclining front seats, touch-screen audio display, and keyless access with pushbutton start) Jetta Hybrid SEL: $30,120 (SEL trim adds a sunroof, 16-inch aluminum wheels, touch-screen navigation, heated front seats and windshield-washer nozzles, and a six-way power driver's seat) Jetta Hybrid SEL Premium:  $31,975 (SEL Premium trim adds adaptive bi-xenon headlights with LED running lights, 17-inch aluminum wheels, fog lights, Fender premium audio system, and a backup camera) Not only is the Jetta hybrid reasonably well-equipped, but it at least offsets its higher price relative to the Jetta TDI with better fuel economy. Volkswagen estimates that the hybrid will return 45 mpg combined; the TDI is EPA-rated for 34 mpg combined. That's a pretty big difference, and the hybrid's preliminary combined figure also beats out the Honda Civic hybrid's 44-mpg combined rating, and comes close to the Toyota Prius's stellar 50-mpg performance on the same cycle. Comparison Test: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI vs. 2011 Touareg Hybrid Long-Term Road Test Intro: 2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Comparison Test: 2010 Honda Insight vs. 2010 Toyota Prius, 1998 Chevy Metro We may think the hybridized Jetta frivolous, but you can't fault VW for looking to cash in on the power of a hybrid badge during fuel-frugal times. If the Jetta hybrid's fuel economy isn't good enough for you, VW likely will add a plug-in iteration for our market in the near future. Read full story » from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com

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