2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI

(All photos: Bill Griffith/Boston.com)

Over the winter last year I was interested in test driving - and likely purchasing - a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI. The TDI is the clean diesel engine that now has become legal to sell in all 50 states.

However, the dealer I contacted said there would be a wait because he had a waiting list and no demos.

Thus I abandoned plans to try and find that black SportWagen TDI with a saddle interior.

So what is today's test car? It's a black 2009 Jetta SportWagen TDI with a saddle interior. It even has the manual transmission I would have preferred. Sometimes it's strange how the fates treat us mortals. In this case, in addition to writing a review, I get a chance to write about "what might have been."

Let's jump to the bottom line: Would I have wound up buying this car? Most likely yes.

This is an upscale, sporty wagon with German styling, good handling, the diesel's mother lode of inherent torque, and nicely proportioned ergonomics. The interior space is nicely apportioned among the front-seat passengers, rear-seat riders, and cargo area. It's a minor example, but Mrs. G and I both noted that there was plenty of elbow space for each of us in sharing the center armrest.

Need more space? Fold the rear seats and cargo space jumps from 32.8 cubic feet to 66.9 cubic feet.

Since my winter search, the price of diesel has dropped to roughly the same as unleaded regular, making the TDI's EPA mileage range of 30 city to 41 highway even more attractive. We averaged 38.6 mpg in a mix of driving. Frankly, that was a bit disappointing because I remember early diesel Rabbits, despite their clatter and smoke, averaging in the 50 mpg range - or so their owners claimed.

The reasons I was originally attracted to the SportWagen remain. It's pretty much in a niche of its own as a reasonably priced European wagon with a decent list of upscale standard features including air conditioning, heated seats, cruise control, leatherette interior, and stability control, plus EDL (electronic differential locking) and EBA (engine braking assist).

Base price of the SportWagen is $23,870. Add a $700 destination charge and you're at $24,570. Our version didn't have the touch-screen navigation ($1,990) or large, panoramic sunroof ($1,300). Also available are some alloy wheel and tire packages in the $1,300 to $1,800 range, Bluetooth ($325) and several iPod adaptors ($199 and $250).

It's easy to tell you're driving a diesel. For starters, there's a minimal but noticeable bit of clatter and vibration. There's also a ton of torque (236 lb.-ft) off the line at the lower and most used rpm range (1,750 to 2,500 rpm).