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While many other car makers are jumping on to the hybrid bandwagon, Volkswagen seems to be focusing its energies on diesel technology in the never-ending quest for better fuel consumption and lower emissions. And why not?

The company has been putting forward tough, thrifty, small-displacement diesel cars for at least 30 years. Along with Mercedes-Benz, VW is a world leader when it comes to diesel know-how.

The new Jetta TDI diesel is a case in point. Utilizing a combination of turbo-charging, direct fuel injection, a nitrous oxide storage canister and a heavy-duty particulate filter, the diesel engine in the TDI meets the tough new California Tier II, Bin 5 emission regulations and will run on biodiesel, no problem, according to the company.

This last item has been a bit of a sticking point for some diesel manufacturers, creating, among other things, warranty issues, but Volkswagen is including the use of biodiesel in its warranty coverage of the new TDI. And it delivers this kind of super-clean, super-efficient performance without the use of a urea additive, as is the case with Mercedes' BlueTec models.

The technological marvel providing all this environmentally correct propulsion is a cast-iron, inline-four-cylinder that displaces 1,968 cc and features a single overhead camshaft and four valves per cylinder.

It develops 140 horsepower and 235 lb-ft of torque. You read that right; considering its size, the torque output of this engine is almost off the charts, and it makes it all between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm.

You can choose from two six-speed transmissions; either a manual or Tiptronic automatic.

One of the things that makes this engine so clean is its use of "pilot injection" — or pre-injection — and reshaped air intake ports that together atomize the diesel fuel to a superfine vapour that, apparently, burns faster and cleaner than ever before.

As well as being the cleanest diesel engine VW has put into production, this powerplant will travel 1,100 kilometres on a full tank. That's from Toronto to Thunder Bay or Vancouver to Calgary, non-stop, with fuel left over. VW is claiming fuel consumption of 6.8 litres/100 km in town and 4.8 L/100 km on the highway for the manual six-speed, with the six-speed automatic only a smidgeon less thrifty.

My silver Highline model featured the automatic transmission and I think, all things considered, I'd stick with the manual. For one thing, it's $1,400 cheaper, but more than that, this engine isn't that well-suited to an autobox.

My tester had an uneven power delivery, with precious little grunt until the turbocharger cut in, which it does rather abruptly. With a stick shift, you can probably control this somewhat, but the autobox struck me as being kind of lurchy. Nothing I couldn't live with, but, hey, $1,400 still buys a fair bit of diesel fuel.

And I must complain about VW's accursed self-locking doors. As soon as the key is in the ignition, all the doors lock, and when you get out of the car to remove something from the back seat, for example, you have to unlock them again to get access. Highly irritating.

VW isn't the only car maker with this infuriating feature, and company service personnel assure me that it's easily disabled, but I think the doors should immediately unlock as soon as the key is taken out of the ignition. Harrumph!

And I would be remiss if I didn't point out the comparatively high sticker price of this vehicle. Although it starts in the mid-$24,000 neighbourhood, with a few extras, such as leather interior, power sunroof, rear centre armrest and multi-function steering wheel, you're up to and over $31,000. My tester, with all of the above, plus a vehicle stabilization system and Sirius satellite radio, stickered out at a whisker under $33,000.

That said, standard equipment on the base Trendline version includes a climate-control system, cruise control, remote central locking, CD player with MP3 capability, 60/40-folding rear seat and power heated mirrors.

Safety equipment includes four-wheel discs with ABS, a traction control system and front and side airbags. Compared with some of the models that came before it, this iteration of the Jetta feels almost upscale.

And I do like driving it. Performance is kind of ragged, but far from sluggish, and the diesel engine has a kind of ineffable solidity about it that is reassuring and refined.

It's quiet in operation, rock steady on the highway and starts up in the morning like a regular car. No waiting, clattering valve train or billows of black smoke. I don't think I even caught a whiff of diesel during my time with this car.

There's lots of room in back as well; it'll seat five in relative comfort, despite being categorized as a compact sedan, and is the biggest Jetta yet. And for those who like even more cargo area, there's also a station wagon version.

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2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI

Type: Five-passenger compact sedan

Base Price: $24,275; as tested: $32,975

Engine: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-diesel

Horsepower/Torque:

• 140 hp/ 235 lb-ft

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Drive: Front-wheel-drive

Fuel Economy (litres/100 km): 6.8 city; 4.8 highway; diesel fuel

Alternatives: Toyota Camry Hybrid, Nissan Altima Hybrid, Saturn Aura Green Line, Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, Toyota Prius, Mercedes E320 BlueTec

Like

• Most refined diesel engine yet
• Excellent ergonomics and road manners

Don't like

• Getting pricey
• Somewhat non-linear power delivery with automatic
• Self-locking doors (disable them ASAP)