Because of some logistical changes, I ended up driving both our Jetta TDI and our Infiniti FX50 over the holiday weekend. On Friday night, I loaded the family (one wife, one two-year-old daughter) into the Jetta for a 300-mile trip to visit the in-laws. On Sunday, I made the return trip in the FX50. A comparison of a 140-hp diesel sedan to a 390-hp crossover SUV for road-trip duty follows after the jump.
Fuel economy (almost all highway driving): The Jetta got 39.5 mpg on its leg. The FX50 returned 18.9 mpg. Advantage = Jetta.
Fuel range: The FX50 actually has really good range (up to 400 miles if you're careful), but it can't match the marathon-running Jetta, which can go 500 miles between gas stations. Advantage = Jetta
Front seat comfort: Mark me down as another person who happens to really like the Jetta's seats. However, the FX50's are equally great and provide many more adjustments. Advantage = FX50
Luggage capacity: You might think a midsize crossover SUV would beat out a small sedan. But the Jetta was actually superior here. The stuff we were carrying easily fit into the Jetta's trunk and backseat on the first leg. On the way back, I had to lower one of the FX's rear seatbacks in order to fit everything. Advantage = Jetta
Storage cubby space and cupholders: No significant difference in terms of storage, but the Jetta has additional bottle holders in the door bins. Advantage = Jetta
Road noise: Because of the FX50's tire noise on rough pavement, the Jetta gets the nod here. Advantage = Jetta
Ride quality: The Jetta has a smoother ride overall. Advantage = Jetta
Luxury: Dual-zone automatic climate control, 360-degree-view camera system, voice-activated navigation system, Bluetooth, power rear liftgate ... Advantage = FX50
Audio quality: The Jetta's stereo is OK. The FX50's is better. Plus, it has a great iPod adapter. Advantage = FX50
Passing power: Brawny 5.0-liter V8 versus a 2.0-liter diesel four. I need not say more. Advantage = FX50
So, to tally, that's six category wins for the Jetta TDI and four wins for the FX50. Knowing this, which one would you want for a 300-mile family road trip? If it were up to me, I'd take the Jetta again.
Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor @ 16,304 FX50 miles
konocar400h says:
03:36 PM, 07/ 6/09
I would'nt know unless i drove either, but the Infiniti sure seems like its packed with features and that engine is amazing... too bad its really not that good looking... but hey, the jetta is a great car too. You cant beat the fuel economy with anything but a hybrid, and im sure its really comfortable for a small car. I guess you could win with either.
jkp1187 says:
04:09 PM, 07/ 6/09
Saying Infiniti won four is a bit generous - the competition on seats sounded more like a tie. And while passing power is fine and dandy, who in their right mind buys a UTILITY vehicle for passing power?
Sign me up for a Jetta.
carguy622 says:
04:17 PM, 07/ 6/09
Road Trip = FX
Ownership = Jetta
esoterica says:
05:03 PM, 07/ 6/09
The FX50 has no reason for being.
fuhteng says:
06:12 PM, 07/ 6/09
esoterica - sure the FX50 has a reason for being. Actually two:
1. To scare small children because it looks like the boogey man (tell me that picture of the FX50 wouldn't scare your 2-year old niece!)
2. To show off conspicuous consumption on the level of a Hummer without the stigma of being a Hummer.
slickersdrip says:
07:33 PM, 07/ 6/09
Can I have a Fusion Hybrid instead of either of those?
mikeolan says:
07:46 PM, 07/ 6/09
Well, if it was just ME, I'd take the Jetta.
If I had a kid in tow or someone in the back seat, FX50 hands down.
thehardcard says:
08:22 PM, 07/ 6/09
I don't get the luggage capacity win for the Jetta. You put stuff in the backseat of the Jetta and lowered it in the FX. Equally lost for other uses to me.
carfreak8394 says:
10:20 PM, 07/ 6/09
"Luggage capacity: You might think a midsize crossover SUV would beat out a small sedan. But the Jetta was actually superior here. The stuff we were carrying easily fit into the Jetta's trunk and backseat on the first leg. On the way back, I had to lower one of the FX's rear seatbacks in order to fit everything. Advantage = Jetta"
I bet the Ram you guys just added to the fleet would hold a lot.
(;
wizard8873 says:
12:36 AM, 07/ 7/09
neither actually. both the FX and Jetta are too small for roadtrips for me, at least anymore anyways. Did several 1100 miles trips in a 96 Sentra but have moved to a 2002 and 2006 Altima and now have the M45. Things still get tight with luggage but it's comfortable. the Jetta is just too small for what we need and while the FX is a large vehicle, the M45 and Altima best it in interior room. plus the backseat legroom is close to nothing once the people in front get comfortable, i'm 6'3" so need that room.
dubaizen says:
01:47 AM, 07/ 7/09
Two cupholders in the front and two in the back are not enough?!?! Even camels dont stock up on drinks as much as you Americans do while driving :D
altimadude00 says:
06:12 AM, 07/ 7/09
"And while passing power is fine and dandy, who in their right mind buys a UTILITY vehicle for passing power? "
"The FX50 has no reason for being."
The FX50 follows the same path as the BMW X5. That has plenty of passing power. And hundreds of thousands of buyers think the X5 has a reason for being. This is just Infiniti's response (aka a piece of the pie).
fordracefan says:
10:25 AM, 07/ 7/09
We just took our family of four, (me, the wife a 4 and a 6 year old) in an '05 FX35 to Disney from St. Louis. It was the perfect size, and we rode in perfect comfort for the 16 hour trip each way. I can't imagine taking a four cylinder through the mountains in Tennesee, but the FX was never strained the entire trip.
jkp1187 says:
10:30 AM, 07/ 7/09
@altimadude00: Sure and those X5s are just flying out of the showrooms right now, too.... ;-)
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=269008
It is true that people do not always make smart choices in automobile purchases. I'm not sure I would want to make a bet on car purchasers staying dumb forever, if fuel prices begin heading up again.
And let's be honest: it isn't "passing power" that we're talking about. The TDI almost certainly has that in spades. It's some ridiculous drag-race number that few will ever truly put to the test in these soccer mom-mobiles. With that in mind, the FX just burns gas without achieving much. Use the right tool for the right job, people. If you want to drive fast, get a car that was designed for it, like a G37.
(Edmunds editors: am I correct in assuming that no one had trouble getting up to and beyond typical highway speeds in the TDI?)
noflash1 says:
11:35 AM, 07/ 7/09
Let's not forget that the TDI is available in wagon form (which has massive luggage capacity).
Cheers, nf
blueguydotcom says:
08:19 AM, 07/ 8/09
Wait, someone wrote that having a kid = FX? By what logic? The Jetta has more trunk space (too bad kids can't go back there) and a more comfortable backseat for a kid (plus easy ingress/egress for little legs).
pyo_s65 says:
10:41 AM, 07/ 8/09
@Brent:
This is not exactly a fair comparison. The technology stuff you bundled together could almost be separate categories altogether. For instance:
- Power liftgate vs. closing the trunk yourself.
- Bluetooth interface vs. not picking up your call
- etc. etc.
You did pick on whether the inside has more cupholders, so you should compare feature for feature.
mopho says:
10:24 AM, 07/ 9/09
Of course the FX50 has a reason for being. It lets FX35 owners know its owner is better than them.
nycbusop says:
02:54 PM, 07/15/09
I own a 2009 Jetta TDI DSG. I just completed a family vacation from NYC to Minnesota 2300 miles round trip I averaged 41.1 MPG moving at 75 MPH on the interstate. With 2 adults myself included, a 7 year old and a full trunk. We used just 2 full tanks of fuel to return home. For the long hilly ride in PA along route 80 I averaged 43 mpg for 330 miles moving along at 70 MPH. This car has no issues passing on the highway, place the DSG in sport or manual mode and drop it down a few gears and it moves with a purpose. I do however have issues with the front seats I'm 6'2 235, wish it tilted up from the front of the seat bottom a bit more. Other than that its an excellent long haul vehicle.
nycbusop says:
04:44 PM, 07/15/09
I own a 2009 Jetta TDI DSG. I just completed a family vacation from NYC to Minnesota 2300 miles round trip I averaged 41.1 MPG moving at 75 MPH on the interstate. With 2 adults myself included, a 7 year old and a full trunk. We used just 2 full tanks of fuel to return home. For the long hilly ride in PA along route 80 I averaged 43 mpg for 330 miles moving along at 70 MPH. This car has no issues passing on the highway, place the DSG in sport or manual mode and drop it down a few gears and it moves with a purpose. I do however have issues with the front seats I'm 6'2 235, wish it tilted up from the front of the seat bottom a bit more. Other than that its an excellent long haul vehicle.